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| 1. Exercise Together! | 3. Dance Together! |
| 2. Play Together! |
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Exercise Together!
Research shows that physical activities of individuals with dementia yield positive outcomes. These activities enable the individuals to maintain their functional abilities, improve quality of life, and lessen the burden on caregivers by reducing neuropsychiatric symptoms.[1] They also lower the risk of falls, slow down cognitive decline, enhance memory, and lead to improved behaviour, including reduced wandering and aggression.[2] These findings underscore the significant benefits of exercise in dementia management.
1. Stretching, Warm-up Exercises
Learn More
- Walking Interval Workout – Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington
- Minds in Motion Gentle Exercise 5 – Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington
- Start exercising with safe – McGill University Health Centre
- 55m MIND & BRAIN | Dementia friendly FULL BODY workout | Alzheimer’s Society – Feelgoodwithlavina & Alzheimer’s Society
- Exercises for older adults: 10 sets of at-home seated exercises – Yee Hong Care-Learning (Mandarin)
- At-home independent exercises for seniors (4 videos) – Department of Health, Taipei City Government (Mandarin)
- Exercise classroom for seniors with dementia (6 videos) – Dementia Care Association, Taiwan, R.O.C. (Mandarin)
- Dementia care at-home pandemic prevention series: pandemic prevention exercises for individuals with dementia – Taiwan Alzheimer’s Disease Association (Mandarin)
- All-new HD dementia prevention brain fitness workouts – 4 series combined complete version – Taiwan Catholic Foundation of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia(Mandarin)
- Dementia series (exercise chapter) – Yang Memorial Methodist Social Service: Choi Hung Community Centre for Senior Citizens, Hong Kong (Cantonese)
- [Original] Positive ageing exercises – enhance balance, muscular endurance and spatial orientation – Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing (Cantonese)
- Stretching exercises for older adults – Yee Hong Care-Learning (Cantonese)
2. Brain Fitness
Learn More
- Chien Wen-jen, 10 brain fitness workouts – training on hand-foot coordination to prevent dementia – Health 2.0 (Mandarin)
- 6-Minute brain fitness exercises for older adults: 8 movements (stimulate brain functions and hand-foot coordination) – Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Neighborhood Elderly Centre (Cantonese)
- Brain fitness workout instruction video – SAGE Fong Shu Chuen Centre (Cantonese)
- 8 Brain fitness workouts – Hong Kong Alzheimer’s Disease Association (Cantonese)
- Make Brain Buddy Stay: 8 brain fitness workouts and finger exercises – Hong Kong Housing Society Elderly Resources Centre (Cantonese)
3. Finger Exercises
Learn More
- Prevent dementia! Physician teaches you 2 finger exercises and 3 at-home workouts to revitalize your brain – Health 2.0 (Mandarin)
- Workouts to revitalize seniors: new “10 skilled hand exercises” to prevent dementia – Rehabilitation Department, Hsinchu Branch, Taipei Veterans General Hospital (Mandarin)
- Finger exercises to promote brain fitness – The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council: Nga Yin Association Neighbourhood Elderly Centre, Hong Kong (Cantonese)
- Finger exercises to promote brain fitness – Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong: Chai Wan Neighbourhood Elderly Centre (Cantonese)
- Finger exercises to promote brain fitness 2 – Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong: Chai Wan Neighbourhood Elderly Centre (Cantonese)
4. Fall Prevention Exercises
Learn More
- Exercises for balance and strength – Yee Hong Care-Learning (Cantonese)
- Jockey Club Smart Ageing Hub: Fall prevention exercise live demonstration – Hong Kong Jockey Club Smart Ageing Hub (Cantonese)
- Fall prevention exercises – Hong Kong Red Cross(Cantonese)
- Tips for caregivers: yoga balance practice – Division of Neurology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Cantonese)
- Fall prevention workouts Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong – Chai Wan Neighbourhood Elderly Centre (Cantonese)
- Vibrant Classroom: Home fall prevention series (Magic Suction Board Chapter ) – Yang Memorial Methodist Social Service – Choi Hung Community Centre for Senior Citizens, Hong Kong (Cantonese)
5. Chair Exercises
Learn More
- Exercises for seniors to improve balance and prevent falls – CBC News
- Seated Strength Training – Yee Hong CARE-Learning (Cantonese)
- Seated Aerobic Exercises – Yee Hong CARE-Learning (Cantonese)
- Stretching Exercise for Older Adults – Yee Hong CARE-Learning (Cantonese)
- Balance Exercises for the Senior – Yee Hong CARE-Learning (Cantonese)
- Healthy Lifestyle seated workout series – KSD Kaohsiung Loves Exercise, Sports Development Bureau, Kaohsiung City Government (Mandarin)
EP.1, EP.2, EP.3, EP.4, EP.5, EP.6, EP.7
- Seated aerobic workout series – KSD Kaohsiung Loves Exercise, Sports Development Bureau, Kaohsiung City Government (Mandarin)
EP.1, EP.2, EP.3, EP.4, EP.5, EP.6
- Workouts for seniors on wheelchair – Yonghe Cardinal Tien Hospital, Taiwan (Mandarin)
- Fun exercises for seniors VTS_05_1– Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan (Mandarin, Hokkien)
- [Maintain cognitive abilitiesPrevent pandemic] At-home workouts – accessible chapter – Division of Neurology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Cantonese)
- 8-Minute seated workouts– Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Neighbourhood Elderly Centre, Hong Kong(Cantonese)
6. Yoga for Older Adults
Learn More
- [Exercise Formulas] At-home stretching for older adults – yoga – Taiwan Kidney Foundation(Mandarin)
- Seated yoga series for seniors – Ageing-Health Management and Promotion Programme, Institute of Policy Studies, Lingnan University, Hong Kong(Cantonese)
- Chair yoga – easy stretching – Hong Kong Cancer Fund(Cantonese)
7. Ba Duan Jin
Learn More
- “Wen Wu Yuan Qi Ba Duan Jin” (17 videos) – “Xue Guoxue Wang” App (Mandarin)
- “Ba Duan Jin” (20 videos) – “Xue Guoxue Wang” App (Mandarin)
- [Exercise Formulas] At-home stretching for older adults EP. 1: Tai Chi Ba Duan Jin (seated) – Taiwan Kidney Foundation (Mandarin)
- Chinese medicine health nurturing exercises: medical ba duan jin demonstration – Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan(Mandarin with Chinese subtitles)
- Ba duan jin (seated) – Master Leung, Hong Kong Sublime Virtue WuShu Club (Cantonese with English subtitles)
- Ba duan jin: 12-minute complete lesson – Master Leung, Hong Kong Sublime Virtue WuShu Club (Cantonese with English subtitles)
- [Senior Care Exercises for Happy Ageing] Brain fitness workouts – ba duan jin – Hong Kong Christian Mutual Improvement Society Chuang Chung Wen Centre For The Elderly (Cantonese)
- Learn More About Health – seated ba duan jin – Hong Kong Housing Society Elderly Resources Centre (Cantonese with Chinese subtitles)
- Ba duan jin – explanation and demonstration -Hong Kong Cancer Fund (Cantonese with Chinese subtitles)
- Ba duan jin – complete set of movements and practice demonstration– Hong Kong Cancer Fund (Cantonese)
8. Tai Chi
Learn More
- [Exercise Formulas] At-home stretching for older adults EP. 2: Tai Chi– Taiwan Kidney Foundation (Mandarin)
- 8-Form health preservation tai chi – Master Leung, Hong Kong Sublime Virtue WuShu Club (Cantonese with English subtitles)
- Your Call with Joints – seated tai chi – Hong Kong Housing Society Elderly Resources Centre (Cantonese with Chinese subtitles)
- Tai chi 10 forms for older adults – Po Leung Kuk, Hong Kong (Cantonese with Chinese subtitles)
- 8-Form tai chi quan: full demonstration and lesson with breathing guidelines – Master Leung, Hong Kong Sublime Virtue WuShu Club (Cantonese with English subtitles)
- Seated tai chi 10 forms – Community CareAge Foundation, Hong Kong (Cantonese)
- Form 1: White crane spreads wings
- Form 2: Brush knee and twist step on both sides
- Form 3: Strum the lute
- Form 4: Step backward and roll arms
- Form 5: Fair lady shuttles right and left
- Form 6: Needle on the bottom of the sea
- Form 7: Wave hands like clouds
- Form 8: Golden rooster stands on one leg
- Form 9: Kick left leg heel up, then right leg
- Form 10: Strike opponent’s ears with both fists
9. Arm Swinging Exercises /
Ping Shuai Gong
Learn More
- Practise 10 minutes a day, standing or sitting: ping shuai gong created by qigong master Lee Feng-San – Everyday Health (Mandarin)
- Introduction to ping shuai gong – move joints to improve circulation – Health Code (Cantonese)
- Circular arm swinging exercises to improve frozen shoulder – Health Code (Cantonese)
- Ping shuai gong lesson and demonstration – 10-minute arm swinging exercises – Master Leung, Hong Kong Sublime Virtue WuShu Club (Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles)
- 10-Form arm swinging exercises: detox and unblock meridians to get rid of all kinds of pain – Master Leung, Hong Kong Sublime Virtue WuShu Club (Cantonese)
Play Together!
Different types of games and interventions are beneficial to individuals with dementia. A study indicates that individuals with mild to moderate dementia can benefit from social interaction, which aids their cognitive function, as well as from cognitive training, which can alleviate mental symptoms and enhance their overall quality of life.[3] Another study proposes that interventions involving computer game-based cognitive training and social interaction could be valuable for individuals with dementia.[4] It is also advisable for them to engage in daily mind-stimulating games like word search puzzles, crossword puzzles, and Sudoku.
Gaming Demonstrations
1. Cards
- Easy Card Games for Dementia Patients: The Science Behind the Entertainment – A place for Mum
- Dementia series (home training) – memory training with cards – Yang Memorial Methodist Social Service – Choi Hung Community Centre for Senior Citizens, Hong Kong (Cantonese)
- Brain fitness card game series – Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing (Cantonese)
- Dementia training (5): Playing card games is training? – Tung Wah Group of Hospitals – Fong Shu Chuen District Elderly Community Centre, Hong Kong (Cantonese)
2. Daily Life
- Dementia training series – Tung Wah Group of Hospitals – Fong Shu Chuen District Elderly Community Centre, Hong Kong (Cantonese)
EP.2 Can one play and learn while having dim sum at the restaurant?
EP.3 Keep one’s brain active while doing grocery shopping!
EP.4 How to use a group photo?
3. Home Training
- Brain Health Activities Older Adults Can Do At Home – Yee Hong CARE-Learning (Mandarin)
- More Care at Home – Caregiver training series for dementia – The Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Hong Kong (Cantonese)
- Tips for Caregivers series – Division of Neurology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong(Cantonese with Chinese subtitles)
4. Mini Games
- Brainstorming! Hands and brain working together – Happy Classroom, Xinfeng Dementia Community Service Centre, Hsinchu County, Taiwan (Mandarin)
- [Dementia Prevention/Cognitive Stimulation] Number games 1, 2, 3 – Yonghe Cardinal Tien Hospital, Taiwan (Mandarin)
- Home brain fitness games – Aberdeen Kaifong Welfare Association Services Centre, Hong Kong (Cantonese)
5. Music Training
-
Name the Song and Sing Along – Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington
- Music therapists warmly facilitate communication Unit 3 – CTS News CH52(Mandarin with Chinese subtitles)
- Dementia training (8): How is listening to songs related to training? – Tung Wah Group of Hospitals – Fong Shu Chuen District Elderly Community Centre, Hong Kong (Cantonese)
- Caregivers: Establish common topics with seniors through music – The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (Cantonese with Chinese subtitles)
- Cognitive music training helps fight against dementia – The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (Cantonese with Chinese subtitles)
Gaming Websites
Gaming Apps
Learn More
- Mind Games – Brain Training (download at Apple App Store/Google Play)
- Mindmate
- Nymbl Training (download at Apple App Store/Google Play)
- HippoCamera (download at Apple App Store/Google Play)
Dance Together!
Dancing offers a well-rounded intervention for individuals with dementia, incorporating physical exercise, cognitive stimulation from music, and valuable social interaction. It enhances mobility, cognitive functions, and emotional well-being through music’s rhythm while reducing feelings of isolation through group or partner dancing, ultimately improving the overall quality of life for those with dementia.
Ballroom Dance & Random Dance
Learn More
Ballroom Dance
- I Can Dance instructional videos – Yee Hong CARE-Learning (38 videos)
- [Original] Positive Ageing Dance: Positive Ageing Workout – dance version – Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing (Cantonese with Chinese subtitles)
Random Dance
- Dancing with Dementia: Fostering Social Inclusion and Challenging Stigma – Ontario Caregiver Organization (webinar)
- Senior dance classroom (8 videos) – Dementia Care Association, Taiwan, R.O.C.(Mandarin)
Chair Dances for Older Adults
Learn More
- Dynamic rhythm chair dances (11 videos) – Hong Kong Christian Mutual Improvement Society Chuang Chung Wen Centre For The Elderly (Cantonese)
- Happy chair dances (5 videos)– Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong: Chai Wan Neighbourhood Elderly Centre (Cantonese)
- Happy chair dances – pandemic prevention version (22 videos) – Jade Club, Hong Kong (Cantonese)
Footnotes
[1] Sampaio, A., Marques-Aleixo, I., Seabra, A. et al. Physical exercise for individuals with dementia: potential benefits perceived by formal caregivers. BMC Geriatr 21, 6 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-020-01938-5
[2] Department of Health & Human Services. (2005, January 27). Dementia – activities and exercise. Better Health Channel. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/dementia-activities-and-exercise
[3] Rouse, H. J., Small, B. J., & Faust, M. E. (2019). Assessment of Cognitive Training & Social Interaction in People with Mild to Moderate Dementia: A Pilot Study. Clinical Gerontologist, 42(4), 421–434. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2019.1590489
[4] Kilmova,B., & Maresova, P.(2017). Computer-based training programs for older people with mild cognitive impairment and/or dementia. Frontiersin Human Neuroscience, 11, 1–7.doi:10.3389/fnhum.2017.00001
