Hello
This is my 1st visit to Dementia Talking Point. My father has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. He is 87yrs old has some long standing physical issues and very poor balance which results in falls. He was doing OK up to having a significant head injury immediately followed by Covid in Autumn 2020 this impacted on his functioning and he has never really recovered. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in December 2021. He lives with my mum who remains his primary carer, they have both been fiercely independent although are beginnng to accept help from family now as the demands of this disease become more telling on them both. I live 50 mins drive away from my parents, my sister 1.5hrs away and my brother about 15 mins away although he works full time so limited as to how much support he can offer.
Dad has always loved to walk and has previously been heavily involved with The Rambles Association. He values his mobility but getting out and about is increasingly challenging. We have tried employing a walking buddy but Dad felt insulted by an ‘enforced’ chaperone! His GP has suggested returning to the local sports centre gym to build up strength in his legs. I have talked to him about having a Personal Trainer to work with him, maybe doing a gym fitness session then going for a coffee together with a view to then doing some outdoor fitness work. Does anyone have experience of finding a dementia friendly personal trainer? I feel like he will need someone with an awareness of his particular cognitive needs n order for this to be successful.
Many thanks for reading.
Chris
This is my 1st visit to Dementia Talking Point. My father has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. He is 87yrs old has some long standing physical issues and very poor balance which results in falls. He was doing OK up to having a significant head injury immediately followed by Covid in Autumn 2020 this impacted on his functioning and he has never really recovered. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in December 2021. He lives with my mum who remains his primary carer, they have both been fiercely independent although are beginnng to accept help from family now as the demands of this disease become more telling on them both. I live 50 mins drive away from my parents, my sister 1.5hrs away and my brother about 15 mins away although he works full time so limited as to how much support he can offer.
Dad has always loved to walk and has previously been heavily involved with The Rambles Association. He values his mobility but getting out and about is increasingly challenging. We have tried employing a walking buddy but Dad felt insulted by an ‘enforced’ chaperone! His GP has suggested returning to the local sports centre gym to build up strength in his legs. I have talked to him about having a Personal Trainer to work with him, maybe doing a gym fitness session then going for a coffee together with a view to then doing some outdoor fitness work. Does anyone have experience of finding a dementia friendly personal trainer? I feel like he will need someone with an awareness of his particular cognitive needs n order for this to be successful.
Many thanks for reading.
Chris
