If you are living with, or caring for a loved one with dementia, you may feel like you are juggling an endless list of health checks & medical appointments.

While this may be the case, it is nonetheless, very important to stay active, in order to best care for your, or your loved one’s physical health & wellbeing.

Regular exercise is pivotal to maintaining both physical & mental health. In fact, physical exercise has been shown to offer numerous benefits to those living with dementia. Importantly, it is essential for maintaining good blood flow to the brain, & may also encourage new brain cell growth & survival.

At AQ, we have a comprehensive range of facilities & programs delivered by experienced health professionals, to help people living with Alzheimer’s disease & dementia, to keep fit & healthy. AQ Health, located in McNally House at Garden City Multi-Service Centre, Upper Mount Gravatt, Brisbane, is a state-of-the-art gym offering a variety of exercise programs suited to all levels of mobility & fitness. Gym equipment & treatment rooms are available, catering to both individual & group exercise.

Our tailored programs are coordinated by experienced physiotherapists & exercise physiologists, & are designed to improve strength, mobility, balance & fitness, in an encouraging, enjoyable & safe environment.

Our programs include:

• Tai Chi – A 10-week program designed to reduce stress levels & improve balance through breathing techniques & slow, gentle movements.
• Small Group Gym Class – Supervised exercises, such as strength, dumbbell weights & functional exercises, with a maximum of five people per group.
• Better Balance – A 10-week program targeting falls prevention, through tailored balance & strengthening classes.
• ‘Good Life with Arthritis: Denmark’ (GLA:D®) – An educational & supervised exercise program tailored to those living with hip & knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Each program runs over a set number of weeks & includes a pre- & post- assessment to allow coordinators to track your progress, from start to finish. Each class runs from Monday to Friday, starting from 8:30 am.

At AQ Health, we believe that no matter what your age, or current physical condition, it is never too late to get moving.

To learn more about AQ Health & our program offering, head to: https://alzheimersonline.org/aq-health-at-garden-city/, or contact us on 07 3422 3000 to enquire about specific exercise classes & times.

Importantly, be sure to ask your doctor about the benefits of commencing any new exercise program for yourself, or your loved one.