Expanding Exercise Opportunities for Persons with Dementia: A Participatory Approach

Exercise improves physical, mental, and social wellness among persons with dementia. Unfortunately, persons with dementia face considerable barriers to exercise. Stigma against dementia may magnify the impact of these barriers. This project builds on our prior work to understand accommodations needed for exercise among persons with dementia. Here, we create and evaluate tools to support the design, content, and delivery of exercise so it meets the diverse needs of persons with dementia. Our team of researchers, persons with dementia, and other knowledge users will co-develop the tools. This collaborative approach ensures tools are relevant and useful to persons with dementia, care partners, and exercise providers. Our vision is to increase the number and variety of exercise opportunities for persons with dementia, and that exercise providers will have the knowledge to guide exercise for people with dementia. Thus, persons with dementia will reap the benefits of exercise.