My father (78) has a mixed diagnosis - vascular dementia, with a bit of Parkinson's disease and a bit of Lewy Bodies and a bit of Alzheimer's... His main symptoms are visual / spatial problems and body stiffness. He still walks, often alone, nearly every day, at least a mile a day, and so far so good. His legs look ok, quite strong, although his posture is not at all good and he holds himself very stiffly. However his upper body and his arms are not much exercised and they look very thin and weak. He used to swim, and can still swim, and enjoys it, but now finds the public swimming pool and lane swimmimg much too daunting and cannot cope alone. He says that he would still swim, if someone could be on hand to help him into the water, and assist him afterwards. My mother (79) cannot swim, and would not be allowed in the mens' changing room to help him dress (he can just about do this alone - but takes ages). I do not live close by. Two questions - is it worthwhile in terms of his diagnosis to encourage him to swim - and secondly, if it is worthwhile, how would we go about finding a male carer who we could pay to take him swimming several times a week? Sorry, third question - if the swimming is not really beneficial are there any other activities which might be useful to increase his arm strength, and hopefully to keep him at home with mum a bit longer? He is mostly cheerful, and companionable.