Exercise and Volunteer Work: Contexts for AD Language and Memory Interventions

This article describes two novel contexts for language and memory stimulation in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD): student-supervised physical exercise and partnered volunteering at community agencies. Information presented is based on 5 years of the authors' experiences at the University of Arizona supervising student-administered interventions with mildly to moderately affected home-dwelling AD patients in the Volunteers in Partnership and Elder Rehab programs. The authors report significant mood and fitness improvements by program participants, as measured on direct testing as well as by caregiver perceptions regarding the relative benefits of the four program components. Finally, they advocate for greater use of nontraditional approaches and utilizing students and volunteers when working with persons who have AD.