The role of physiotherapy in supporting people living with dementia

Historically, the behavioural and cognitive impacts of dementia have received significant attention in research, while the physical impacts have appeared to be treated as a lower priority. This may be because the physical impacts, including changes in mobility, are not always apparent until the later stages of the disease, by which point a person may become completely immobile (Tolea et al., 2016). We now know that changes in mobility can present in the early stages of dementia and may even precede a diagnosis, with evidence suggesting walking speed slows up to seven years before other visible signs and symptoms of the condition present (Dumurgier et al., 2017). Beyond mobility, dementia is also associated with physical inactivity, impaired balance, increased falls, and physical frailty, all of which continue to contribute to significant disability and dependency (Lee-Fay & Laver, 2021).