St Albert Physiotherapy Everything You Should Know About Physiotherapy | Page 3

The Fight Against Dementia
– How Physiotherapy Can
Help
◦ A neurological physiotherapist is the best match for someone diagnosed with
dementia. They encourage independence through fall prevention exercises and
instruct careers on home improvements that will also ensure safety. This helps with
the smallest of tasks: things such as walking, getting out of bed climbing stairs. The
increase of independence will improve the patient’s mood as their morale goes up
as their fear of injury and embarrassment goes down. This also takes some of the
pressure off of family, friends and careers. If sufferers know they are upsetting the
people around them it can make them feel worse. This is why independence is so
important and why it must be kept for as long as possible.
◦ Therapists work with the patient to assess factors that restrict their physical
movement and the tasks they are not able to perform daily. They will also work with
the patient’s career to ensure that they will be able to keep their independence as
long as physically possible. This will also boost the sufferer’s self-esteem and mood
as they do not feel so helpless. It provides a better quality of life for the patient as
well as everyone around them. Exercise is a huge factor in this. It benefits their
mood which can mean that less medication is needed and the person with
dementia can enjoy more social interaction. Together all of this has a positive
impact on all symptoms of dementia or early Alzheimer’s disease.