Movement with Meaning : Supporting People with Dementia Through Physical Activity

 

As an occupational therapist working closely with individuals living with dementia, I witness on a daily basis, how powerful movement can be. At Sport for Confidence, our sessions go beyond just exercise; we create environments where physical activity becomes a tool for connection, identity, and emotional wellbeing. 

 

This Dementia Action Week, I want to share why movement matters, and how we as OTs, in collaboration with coaches, use tailored, meaningful activity to support both the body and the mind. 

 

 

The evidence supporting physical activity as a non-pharmacological intervention for dementia is growing; and it's something I see reflected in my practice constantly. 

 

Our sessions, co-led by Occupational Therapists and coaches, are structured to stimulate cognitive function through movement. Activities often support memory, attention, and orientation, with meaningful tasks embedded to encourage engagement. This cognitive stimulation has been shown to be especially beneficial - research from The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2015) concluded that exercise has positive effects on mood in individuals with dementia. 

 

Mood regulation is also a key focus. Many people we support experience agitation, anxiety, or low mood. Movement helps regulate these states by increasing endorphins and reducing cortisol. It’s excellent to see the emotional shift after a session; often calmer, brighter, and more connected. 

 

Moreover, maintaining daily routines through regular activity promotes a sense of stability and can reduce confusion. In dementia care, where the world can often feel unpredictable, this consistency can be incredibly grounding. 

 

 

From an OT perspective, one of our key goals is to maintain independence for as long as possible. Regular, guided movement helps improve strength, coordination, and endurance—all critical for daily tasks like dressing, bathing, and eating. 

 

During a 45-minute game of boccia, for example, participants may complete sit-to-stand movements up to 20 times. This repetition supports real-world tasks like getting out of a chair or using the toilet—skills that directly impact independence. 

 

Tailored exercise also supports balance and proprioception, reducing fall risk. For many, improved mobility can be life-changing; enabling them to move safely and confidently within their homes and communities. 

 

Importantly, our sessions are designed to support energy conservation. We balance exertion and rest, helping older adults stay active without becoming overly fatigued. A 2007 randomised controlled trial published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society highlighted how tailored programs significantly improved physical function and activities of daily living in people with Alzheimer’s disease. (AGS 2027) 

 

We also know that sleep disturbances are common in dementia. Fortunately, aerobic activity has been shown to regulate circadian rhythms, improving sleep efficiency and reducing nighttime wakefulness; yet another way physical activity supports holistic wellbeing. 

 

 

The occupational therapist and coaches tailor physical activities to align with personal interests and past roles, for example like dancing for a former performer and boccia for a previous bowler. This assists with preserving identity and self-worth and can be a form of reminiscence. 

 

It is also important to note that group-based occupational therapy interventions that incorporate physical activity can create social opportunities, which help reduce isolation and improve emotional well-being. 

 

Research from the University of Sheffield and Brighton and Sussex Medical School indicates that cognitive stimulation, which includes social interaction and group activities, can reduce depression and improve global cognition in people with dementia. Incorporating this into sessions can allow an accessible intervention with positive effects on memory and dementia ratings. Supporting this further was a study in 2018, involving care home residents found that social interaction was significantly related to higher interest and pleasure, and predicted reduced anxiety and sadness. Residents with higher cognitive function displayed greater pleasure, highlighting the importance of social engagement in enhancing emotional well-being. 

 

Every session I lead reminds me why occupational therapy is so vital in dementia care. By combining evidence-based approaches with creativity and empathy, we help people engage in life more fully. 

 

At Sport for Confidence, movement is never just movement, its memory, identity, joy, and connection. 

This Dementia Week, I encourage everyone—family members, carers, health professionals—to think about how we can use meaningful activity not only to improve physical health, but to enhance lives.