Movement as Medicine

By Rachel Whyte, BSN, RN, CEN, CDP

Much of dementia care centers on the cognitive and behavioral changes that define the diagnosis. However, dementia does not affect only thinking. It also affects the body. As the disease progresses, many individuals experience muscle weakness, stiffness, impaired balance, changes in walking, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and an increased risk of falls (Fernando et al, 2017).

This is where intentional movement becomes essential. People living with dementia receive the same physical health benefits from movement as anyone else, and these benefits remain meaningful even as cognitive symptoms advance. Physical activity helps maintain muscle strength, preserve balance, support cardiovascular health, and regulate sleep. Movement also supports brain health. Research suggests that regular physical activity benefits executive function, emotional regulation, and overall brain metabolism in older adults, including those at risk for or living with cognitive decline (Nuzum et al, 2020). In a condition where medication options remain limited, movement remains one of the most accessible and evidence-supported ways to protect function and quality of life.

In practical terms, if you are living with dementia, movement matters because staying physically active helps preserve function, extend independence, and support the ability to keep doing the things you love.

How to Get Started

So where do you start? Begin by taking stock of where you are today. If you have had a recent fall, new dizziness, worsening balance, or pain that limits movement, speak with a healthcare professional before increasing activity. Clear walkways, good lighting, supportive shoes, and consistent use of mobility aids when prescribed all make movement safer and more sustainable.

Next, think about what you want to protect. Movement is not about fitness for its own sake. It is about preserving the abilities that matter in your daily life: standing up from a chair, walking safely through your home, climbing stairs, preparing a simple meal. Your movement should support the tasks that help you remain independent.

Finally, consider enjoyment. The most sustainable plan includes something that feels meaningful, whether that is being outside, listening to music, gardening, or dancing. When movement feels familiar, it is easier to continue.

Making Movement Part of Everyday Life

Movement does not have to look like exercise. It can look like living. Walking to the mailbox, standing while folding laundry, watering plants, sweeping the floor, or dancing to a favorite song all build strength and stamina. On lower-energy days, seated marching, arm circles, ankle rolls, or gentle reaching still support circulation and mobility. Small amounts done consistently matter more than intensity.

If you prefer something more structured, focus on three areas: strength, endurance, and balance. Strength exercises such as sit-to-stand practice or wall push-ups help maintain independence with transfers and stairs. Endurance activities like going for a walk or dancing support stamina and heart health.

Balance practice (e.g. standing with feet close together while holding a counter or shifting weight side to side) directly reduces fall risk. For more ideas on specific exercises, check out Johns Hopkins’ Exercises to Prevent Falls.

Routine and Connection Help

You can also tie movement to things you already do:

• Stretch while getting dressed

• Walk after meals

• Do sit-to-stand exercises while watching television

When possible, move with someone.

Shared walks, music, playing with grandchildren, or community classes or programs add connection and motivation.

The Bottom Line

Adding movement to your routine does not necessarily mean making a big change. It is about protecting function. It is about staying steady on your feet, preserving independence, and continuing to enjoy your own life. Even small, steady effort makes a meaningful difference.

Use Simon to Add Movement Into Your Routine

At Simon, we’ve learned that one of the biggest sources of stress for people living with dementia and their care partners is not knowing what comes next or how to keep the basics on track. That uncertainty can make even simple care feel overwhelming.

So we've built decades of research into our app, to help guide and coach people living with dementia, and their care partners, on staying healthy, happy, and living the lives that they want to live. Through reminders, notifications, and nudges, we keep you on track, feeling confident that you're doing what you can.

Underlying this science-backed coaching, we combine three tools for families to coordinate, reduce mental load, and support autonomy:

• A shared task list, so everyone involved can stay aligned on essentials like groceries, medications, and household needs.

• An interactive map with location tracking and geo-specific notifications, alerting everyone to emergencies, and keeping the family up to date on where they are and where they’re meant to be, without constant check-ins.

• A shared calendar connected to the map, providing reminders for upcoming appointments and alerts for missed ones, helping daily structure stay intact.

  
  

By bringing these tools into one central, easy-to-use space, Simon helps ensure no one is navigating daily life alone, whether that’s getting from point A to point B, staying socially connected, or keeping the home running smoothly.

Simon is here to support the basics of daily living, so families can spend less time managing logistics and worrying about emergencies, and more time focused on connection, confidence, and quality of life.

Whether you’re just beginning this journey or already deep in it, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Download the Simon App or Join our community of Simon App Testers.

References

Fernando, E., Fraser, M., Hendriksen, J., Kim, C. H., & Muir-Hunter, S. W. (2017). Risk Factors Associated with Falls in Older Adults with Dementia: A Systematic Review. Physiotherapy Canada. Physiotherapie Canada, 69(2), 161–170. https://doi.org/10.3138/ptc.2016-14

Nuzum, H., Stickel, A., Corona, M., Zeller, M., Melrose, R. J., & Wilkins, S. S. (2020). Potential benefits of physical activity in MCI and dementia. Behavioural Neurology, 2020, Article 7807856. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/7807856.