Strategies to engage older adults with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in exercise: A multiple case study

- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia with substantial impacts, but cannot yet be prevented, slowed, or cured.
- AD symptoms, particularly behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) make exercise adherence very challenging.
- BPSD vary across exercise participants, e.g., anxiety, repetitive questioning, irritability, hostility, distractedness, and hoarding.
- Common strategies for BPSD are person-centered to remove BPSD triggers and exercise provider education.
- Strategies for BPSD can help exercise engagement, including reassurance, distraction, rephrasing, immediate answers, and affirmation.
- Individualized strategies for BPSD are necessary to ensure optimal exercise adherence.