56) Dementia: How Physiotherapy Can Create Clarity And Help
Physiotherapy isn’t just for sore backs or sports injuries. It plays a powerful role in helping people living with dementia move better, feel safer, and stay independent for longer. In this blog, we break down exactly how physio helps—and share a real patient story that might surprise you.
Living with Dementia: It’s Not Just Memory Loss
When most people think of dementia, they think memory loss. But there’s so much more going on. It can affect a person’s thinking, movement, coordination, balance, and ability to do everyday tasks.
That’s where physiotherapy can make a real difference.
In a nutshell, physios help people stay mobile, reduce falls, manage pain, and keep doing what they love—whether that’s walking to the shops or just getting up from a chair safely.
Sounds good, right? Stick with us—we’ll unpack the benefits, strategies, and a powerful success story from our clinic that shows what’s possible.
Why Movement Matters in Dementia
As dementia progresses, many people move less and less. This can lead to:
- Muscle weakness
- Stiff joints
- Poor balance
- Increased risk of falls
- Difficulty walking
- Loss of independence
That’s a pretty slippery slope.
But here’s the good news: Exercise and movement therapy can actually slow this decline.
The brain might be changing, but movement keeps it engaged. In fact, research shows that regular physical activity can even improve brain function, mood, and behaviour in people with dementia.
(Yes—even in moderate to advanced stages!)
How Physiotherapy Helps People with Dementia
Let’s break it down. Here’s how we, as physios, support people living with dementia:
1. Fall Prevention
Falls are a huge risk. Poor judgement, slower reaction times, and reduced balance all play a role. We tailor exercises to improve strength and stability, and assess the home environment for fall hazards.
Example interventions:
- Sit-to-stand training
- Balance drills
- Gait (walking) re-training
- Walking aid prescription
- Home safety checks
2. Mobility & Independence
Whether someone wants to walk around the block, or just get to the bathroom without help, we build functional programs around what matters to them.
3. Pain Management
People with dementia may not be able to express pain clearly. They might just become agitated or withdrawn. We use gentle movement, manual therapy, heat packs, and positioning strategies to ease discomfort and improve quality of life.
4. Keeping the Brain Active
Here’s something powerful: movement is brain food.
Coordinated exercises like stepping patterns, ball games, or dancing can stimulate cognition while working on physical goals. Dual-task exercises (e.g. walking while naming animals) are also fantastic brain-body workouts.
5. Supporting Carers
We don’t just treat the patient—we support the whole team. Carers often feel lost, so we educate and empower them with strategies, lifting techniques, and movement routines they can do at home.
But What About Advanced Dementia?
You might be wondering, “Is physio even helpful when dementia is severe?”
The short answer? Yes—but the goals change.
Instead of working towards big gains, we focus on:
- Comfort
- Joint mobility
- Safe transfers (e.g. bed to chair)
- Pressure care (to prevent bedsores)
- Gentle guided movement
- Quality of life
- Strategies to deal with chronic pain
Even small wins—like reducing pain when sitting, or helping someone smile during a session—can be huge for dignity and wellbeing.
If you would like to learn more about dealing with chronic pain CLICK HERE
Real Story: Meet George
George (name is changed for privacy) is an 82-year-old gentleman with moderate Alzheimer’s disease. When his daughter first brought him to our clinic, he was struggling to get out of a chair, shuffling his feet, and had already had three falls in the past month.
He also seemed withdrawn, barely talking.
Week 1:
We started with basic strength training—leg exercises in sitting, safe standing practice, and gentle walking.
We noticed that he lit up when we played 60s music—so we added movement to music. George started smiling again. He even cracked a joke.
Week 4:
George was walking more confidently with his walker, transferring better, and—importantly—hadn’t had another fall. His daughter said she hadn’t seen him this active in months.
Week 8:
We taught his daughter safe ways to help him up, and gave them a daily home routine. George now walks around the block most days with her, and continues to improve.
This is what physio can do.
How We Work With People With Dementia
We always take a gentle, flexible, and person-centred approach. That means:
✅ Using clear, calm communication
✅ Sticking to familiar routines
✅ Keeping exercises simple and short
✅ Making it enjoyable
✅ Encouraging consistency over intensity
We also work closely with GPs, occupational therapists, and aged care teams to ensure holistic care.
We work closely with Frenchs Forest Doctors, Forest Family Practice, Warringah Road Family Medical Centre, and Northern Beaches Medical Centre – just to name a few!
Why Choose Our Clinic?
At our clinic, we understand that every person with dementia is unique. We take time to listen, observe, and adapt—because what works for one person may not work for another.
We’ve helped dozens of patients with dementia regain confidence, strength, and dignity through gentle, tailored physiotherapy.
Whether you’re a family member, friend, or carer—we’re here to support you too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is physiotherapy covered by Medicare or aged care packages?
Yes! You may be eligible for a Chronic Disease Management plan (CDM/EPC) from your GP, or physio can be included in Home Care Packages (HCPs) and NDIS supports.
Do you need a referral?
No referral needed to book privately. Just call or book online.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re worried about falls, struggling with movement, or just want to help your loved one stay active—physiotherapy can help.
It’s never too early or too late to start.
Give us a call today on (03) 9806 3077, or book online—just
👉 CLICK HERE
Let’s work together to bring back confidence, safety, and quality of life.
References & Further Reading
- Dementia Australia. Physical activity and dementia.
https://www.dementia.org.au/about-dementia/living-well/physical-activity - Australian Physiotherapy Association. Physiotherapy and dementia care.
https://australian.physio/inmotion/physiotherapy-role-dementia-care - Alzheimer’s Society UK. How physiotherapy helps people with dementia.
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/daily-living/physiotherapy-dementia - NHS. Dementia and exercise.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/living-with/
