Most retirement facilities offer a selection of physical exercise programs from social dances to low impact aerobics. Physical activity is a vital component to neuronal plasticity as brain derived neurotropic factors flood the brain during extended periods of physical activity. These neurotropic factors facilitate neuronal network growth. 55, 56 ,57

Current research shows that physical exercise reduces memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or Parkinson’s disease. 23,24,25 In fact, just engaging in physical exercise on a regular schedule

• improves memory and reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 50 percent.. 26

A rigorous level of physical activity is found to

• reduce memory loss as associated with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease in women by 60 percent as compared to women with no exercise. 27

Low impact activities are more likely to be incorporated into the aging lifestyle. Studies show that moderate activities slow memory loss related to Alzheimer’s disease. 28 These low impact activities may include:

• walking
• chair aerobics
• water aerobics

To underscore the significance of life long physical activity and cognitive health, studies show that individuals with higher levels physical activity at baseline are less likely to demonstrate dementia later in life. 29