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Exercise keeps joints flexible, improves circulation and elimination, and burns off excess energy. Dementia patients requiring a wheelchair are usually considerably incapacitated and will often need careful prompting and assistance to perform exercises. Appropriate music should be played during exercise time. All exercise can and should be performed in the patient's wheelchair. The number of repetitions included with each exercise listed are suggestions and should be increased or decreased according to the person's capacities:
1) Head rotations.
Clockwise and counterclockwise, extend the neck and head upward several times. Bend the head down toward the chest, then back toward the spine. Repeat 3 times in each direction.
2) Overhead stretch.
Extend the arms overhead as far upward as they will comfortably go. Return arms to side. Repeat 5 times.
3) Shoulder shrugs.
Shrug and rotate right shoulder several times. Repeat with left shoulder.
4) Spine stretches.
Sit up in a rigid posture, straightening the back and stretching the spine. Then slump back into the chair. Repeat 5 times.
5) Arm extensions.
Extend the arms straight in front. Rotate them in their sockets 10 to 20 seconds. Wiggle the fingers for several minutes, open and close the hands. Patient and caregiver shake hands several times. Caregiver can say, "How do you do?" with a big smile.
6) Wrist rotations.
Extend arms in front and rotate wrists for 10 to 20 seconds.
7) Ankle rotations.
Patients with some leg movement, lift right knee and rotate the foot at the ankle joint 3 times in each direction. Repeat left side.
8) Leg lifts.
Lift the right leg as high as it will comfortably go. Return it to the leg rest. Repeat 10 times and then do the same on the left side.
9) Take 10 deep, slow breaths. Be sure to exhale with the patient each time.
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