personal training

l7pla1w2 · January 13

DW goes to personal training once a week. The PT is aware of DW's dementia. The PT is concerned with DW's range of motion, balance, flexibility, posture, not strength, and directs DW's exercising accordingly.

The problem: DW comes home and complains bitterly that the PT doesn't make her work hard enough. She doesn't sweat, she doesn't have pains. But within minutes of her getting home, DW doesn't remember what she actually did during the session, or even that she had a session at all. DW seems to think her sessions should involve strength training and weights, which the PT thinks are less important for DW.

I trust the PT to know what DW really needs. How do I get DW to accept the sessions that the PT provides? The alternatives: no training at all, or having the PT have DW do the strength training she seems to think she needs. Remember, DW might not remember what she did anyway.

Marta · January 13

Why is it a problem?

Cecil Jones · January 13

I personally would ask the PT to give her some weight training to do. I don't see a downfall that. It may even satisfy her a while? This disease is always changing.

M1 · January 13

buy her some one or two pound hand weights and tell her the trainer wants her to do that part at home. There will come a time of diminishing returns on this---and don't count on the trainer to tell you, because money is involved. Like asking a barber if you need a haircut....

l7pla1w2 · January 13

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/194598#Comment_194598

The PT says DW needs work to maintain her balance and flexibility. DW already shuffles a bit as she walks.

l7pla1w2 · January 13

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/194602#Comment_194602

I know the trainer well, and I trust that she is doing what DW needs. I don't think it's about the money. The PT knows about DW's dementia and knows how to work with such people.

l7pla1w2 · January 13

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/194599#Comment_194599

I have suggested to the PT that she have DW do some strength training at the end, which DW might be more likely to remember.

trottingalong · January 13

Tell her you are starting off slow with this type of training prior to moving into weight training. You can always say weight training starts a week from today. That works if she doesn’t remember.

mpang123 · January 13

My dad used to have home health PT/OT but he refused to participate. That was earlier last year when his dementia acted up but now he has calmed down. He has a physical with his PCP next month and I will ask the doctor if he can have home health again.

harshedbuzz · January 13

Is this PT a personal trainer or physical therapist? Is your DW an accurate reporter? Do you stay and sit in on the sessions?

My mom, who is 87 but doesn't have dementia, recently "graduated" from a 3-month prescription of twice-weekly physical therapy specifically for balance and gait because of my concerns about falls she was having. Mom only worked with DPTs who specialize in balance issues. I was surprised that the 4 she worked with focused so much on strength training-- paying particular attention to her core, hips, glutes and legs. This work has made a tremendous difference.

HB

jfkoc · January 13

I thought like M1. Get some weights as home for "homeworK". You can even make a daily chart.

l7pla1w2 · January 14

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/194612#Comment_194612

I like that idea and will pass it to the trainer.

l7pla1w2 · January 14

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/194615#Comment_194615

Very experienced personal trainer. DW is an unreliable reporter, but I believe what the trainer tells me. I don't sit in on the sessions.

M1 · January 14

Perhaps sitting in would be a good idea. Would give you a better idea of whether she's really getting anything out of it.

avieDa921) · January 15

When my DH went for therapy, I always went & watched what he was doing because he wouldn’t remember even going there. He was given exercises to do at home, again not going to remember how to do them properly. If he goes to the doctor or dentist, I’m in there with him to hear what’s said or done! Everyone in the healthcare field should understand why a caregiver would want to be there with them & if they don’t, too bad, it’s not stopping me!

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