How Walking Can Help Slow Down Alzheimer’s

Reports indicate that walking may help delay cognitive decline in adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and more importantly, Alzheimer’s disease. This is according to a study presented November 29 at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), which unveiled the positive effects that walking has on Alzheimer’s.

Experts who conducted the study has found that walking approximately 8 km a week can help protect the brain structure of individuals with Alzheimer’s, especially in the area associated with memory and learning. Additionally, they also found that these people suffered less cognitive decline over the next 5 years.

Unfortunately, while walking can help slow Alzheimer’s, it cannot cure a person of it. Alzheimer’s disease is unfortunately irreversible; it is a progressive brain disease known to slowly destroy a person’s memory and cognitive skills. In a report from the US Institute of Aging, between 2.4 million and 5.1 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease as of 2018. Based the trending direction of population growth, that number is expected to increase in this new decade.

Study Results

In the study, samples of patients were gathered from a particular cardiovascular study. Researchers of the study measured how much each patient walked each week. After 10 years, the data of each patient was assembled and put through MRI tests for cognitive performance checks.

The research findings showed a strong positive correlation between the amount of physical activity and greater brain activity. This means that cognitively impaired people or those suffering Alzheimer’s disease are recommended to walk at least 8 km per week to maintain brain volume and slow cognitive decline.

If your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s, or is just beginning to experience cognitive slowdown, we recommend you accompany them to a range of physical activities. While the ‘treatment’ isn’t specific to walking and can include other activities such as golfing, table tennis, badminton, those with Alzheimer’s may have difficulty with vigorous activities.

Additionally, we understand that it can be hard spending time with a loved one with Alzheimer’s, as a person you’ve loved your whole life is starting to forget everything about everything. In situations like these, Care at Home Services can help provide you and them the assistance needed. Our professional care aides are trained to assist Alzheimer’s patients with day to day activities, all while within the comfort of their own home. If you are needing assistance with caring for a loved one who’s beginning to lose their memory, or perhaps already have, consider providing them the care at home they need by contacting us today.

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