Motor Skills in Maintaining Autonomy in People with Alzheimer's Disease

La motricité dans le maintien de l’autonomie chez la personne atteinte de la maladie d’Alzheimer

Practicing functional skills through play can help a person with Alzheimer's disease maintain their autonomy in certain daily tasks for longer.

Indeed, cognitive-motor practice (the pathway between mental processes and movement) can maintain and even improve several components of movement, such as its speed, fluidity, and precision¹. Furthermore, targeted practice of certain movements also strengthens a person's physical structures, such as their joints and muscles.

For seniors, working on pincer and power grips is very relevant, as it will allow them to retain their abilities in certain daily activities for longer.

Pincer grip

Exercising pincer grips (thumb opposition to other fingers) can help a person extend their period of autonomy for:

Buttoning clothes;
Operating a zipper;
Writing or drawing with a pencil;
Playing board games;
Etc.

Power grips

Practicing power grips (opposition of the fingers and the palm of the hand) can allow the same person to continue to:

Brush their teeth;
Open a door;
Eat with a utensil;
Pick up an object;
Etc.

Scientific facts

Many studies demonstrate a link between exercise and the maintenance/improvement of motor functions. In her publication on the National Library of Medicine, Laís Fajersztajn, physiotherapist and specialist in gerontological rehabilitation, states that "functional exercise makes it possible to work muscle groups at the same time and in an integrated manner, particularly for daily functional activity movements"². According to Fajersztajn, motor improvement has a great impact on autonomy, but the reinforcement of self-confidence during movement also plays an important role in people with Alzheimer's disease.

Even further: a study demonstrates the link between physical exercise and a lower risk of developing a type of dementia³. According to their observations over a period of more than six years, this prevention could be explained by a more frequent connection between cognitive and motor functions³.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES

¹Jin H. Yan & Malcolm B. Dick (2006) Practice Effects on Motor Control in Healthy Seniors and Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease, Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition, 13:3-4, 385-410, DOI: 10.1080/138255890969609

²Fajersztajn L, Cordeiro RC, Andreoni S, Garcia JT. (2008) Effects of functional physical activity on the maintenance of motor function in Alzheimer’s disease. Dement Neuropsychology. 233-240. doi: 10.1590/S1980-57642009DN20300013. PMID: 29213577; PMCID: PMC5619472.

³Wang L, Larson EB, Bowen JD, VanBelle G. (2006) Performance-based physical function and future dementia in older people. Arch Intern Med. 166:1115–1120.

Prévention de l’Alzheimer : le modèle FINGER au service d’un vieillissement en santé

Alzheimer's Prevention: The FINGER Model for Healthy Aging

At CDS Boutique, we firmly believe that everyone deserves to age with dignity, autonomy, and enjoyment. With this in mind, we are proud to participate in education and awareness on complex topics such as Alzheimer's disease prevention. You may recall one of our January publications in which we presented the five preventive factors for Alzheimer's disease: physical activity, a balanced diet, strong social connections, cognitive stimulation, and cardiovascular health care. These essential pillars are actually based on a recognized scientific model: the FINGER model (Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability). This model was highlighted during the Alzheimer Society's conference Alzheimer's Disease: Demystifying the Early Phase, which we had the privilege of attending. Experts emphasized that good lifestyle habits, integrated into a global approach such as that proposed by the FINGER model, can significantly reduce the risks of cognitive decline. Every action counts, and together, these elements create a beneficial synergy for the brain. Engaging in regular physical activity Exercise is an essential driver for brain health. Activities such as brisk walking, dancing, or fitness training strengthen blood circulation, promoting better oxygenation of the brain. In addition, they stimulate the release of endorphins, thus improving overall well-being. Adopting a balanced diet such as the Mediterranean diet Diet plays a key role in prevention. The Mediterranean diet, rich in vegetables, fish, fruits, and healthy oils, provides the brain with the nutrients it needs to function optimally and slow down cellular aging. Maintaining strong social connections Staying connected with others is vital for preventing Alzheimer's. Regular interactions with friends, relatives, or through community activities can reduce the risks of isolation, which is an aggravating factor for cognitive disorders. Stimulating your brain Cognitive activities such as brain games, puzzles, or even learning a new skill help maintain brain plasticity. These exercises stimulate different areas of the brain, strengthening its resilience against aging. Taking care of your cardiovascular health A healthy heart contributes to a healthy brain. Monitoring your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar is essential to prevent vascular damage that can affect cognitive functions. We want to give everyone the tools to act. Our fun and technological solutions, such as interactive games or multisensory tools, encourage seniors to remain mentally, physically, and socially active. They directly contribute to the implementation of these recommendations by making prevention accessible and enjoyable. Can these changes be started at any age? Absolutely. Research shows that it's never too late to start. Even small changes, such as integrating a daily walk or adopting a more balanced diet, can have a significant impact, regardless of your age. How to integrate these pillars into an already busy daily life? Start small. Add vegetables to your meals, replace a sugary drink with water, or take advantage of a work break to move around a little. The important thing is to go at your own pace and make choices that easily fit into your lifestyle. Every action, no matter how small, can make a real difference for today and for tomorrow. Together, let's transform aging into an enriching experience!

Featured CDS Boutique on CTV News!

We are proud to announce that our work has been highlighted in recent months by CTV News, in a report on the EDIE training offered at CDS Boutique. This immersive and innovative training uses virtual reality to shed light on Alzheimer's disease from the perspective of someone living with it. In the report produced by CTV, journalists explore how virtual reality can transform the way professionals and caregivers understand the challenges faced by people with Alzheimer's disease. This unique perspective allows them to concretely experience the frustrations and difficulties these patients face, and to develop a more empathetic and humane approach in their professional practice. Exceptional Training The EDIE training offered by CDS Boutique is designed to raise awareness among care and leisure professionals and caregivers about the realities of people living with Alzheimer's disease. Through interactive tools, such as virtual reality, and guided reflection sessions, we help participants adopt more humane and adapted approaches. Our goal is to create a lasting impact on the way care is delivered, focusing on understanding and empathy. Investing in EDIE training means giving your team the tools they need to transform their daily practice and improve the quality of life for seniors. Just like purchasing adapted equipment for your establishment, this immersive training represents a relevant and sustainable investment. It helps your professionals better understand residents' needs and adopt a more humane and adapted approach. Choose a concrete impact—choose EDIE training to make a difference in your environment. Book your spot for an EDIE training in 2025 now. Hurry! Spots are filling up fast! Learn more about EDIE

Ensemble, autour de solutions multisensorielles

Together, with multisensory solutions

In living environments, every action, every interaction, and every shared moment has the power to transform daily life. At CDS Boutique, we deeply believe that innovations only truly make sense when they create connections, awaken the senses, and give an active role back to each person, regardless of their level of autonomy. For over 33 years, we have been researching, discovering, and integrating solutions developed worldwide to support the well-being of seniors and enrich their life experience. These are concrete, accessible, and meaningful tools, designed for care facilities, but above all for the people who live there. Through this series, we invite you to discover why our innovations naturally find their place in your environments, and how they bring people together, soothe, stimulate, and empower individuals to act, together, around multisensory solutions. maestro Place, turn, create What if everyone could compose their own music, without any prior knowledge? Maestro is a sensory musical device, without a screen or waves, that transforms simple gestures into harmonious creations. By placing, turning, exploring, music takes shape naturally, allowing for free expression and emotion. Why Maestro in your facilities? In a facility, Maestro becomes much more than a musical tool. It revives memory and emotions, bringing forth sometimes buried memories through melodies and sounds. It awakens creativity and confidence, because here, there is no room for error: every gesture is a success. Moreover, Maestro strengthens bonds, inviting people to sing, move, and create together, fostering exchanges and breaking isolation. An innovation that transforms music into a universal language, accessible to all. Visit the Maestro page inmu Hold, move, feel Holding an inmu is to enter a soft and intuitive sensory experience. This multisensory cushion reacts to movement by generating soothing soundscapes and vibrations, thanks to integrated sensors. Why inmu in your facilities? inmu naturally encourages movement, whether discreet or expansive. Every gesture counts and contributes to maintaining mobility and quality of life. It is also a powerful tool for calming down, helping to reduce anxiety and create a serene atmosphere, both for residents and staff. Finally, the immediate feedback between gesture and sensation promotes self-awareness, strengthening body presence and being in the moment. A simple, enveloping, and profoundly reassuring object. Visit the inmu page Obie Mobile Pro Observe, touch, connect Obie Mobile Pro transforms any surface into an interactive playground. Mobile and easy to move, this interactive projector brings the benefits of play therapy directly to where residents are. Why Obie Mobile Pro in your facilities? The projected activities spontaneously capture attention and invite participation without complex instructions. Thanks to the no-fail options, every interaction becomes a success, which boosts self-esteem and encourages boldness. Obie Mobile Pro creates unique moments of connection, bringing residents together around a shared experience that fosters exchanges, laughter, and camaraderie. Play as a driver of participation, confidence, and social connection. Visit the Obie Mobile Pro page Hortense Plant, water, harvest What if gardening allowed us to cultivate much more than just plants? Hortense is a height-adjustable garden bed, designed for care environments, to make gardening accessible to everyone, standing, sitting, or in a wheelchair. Why Hortense in your facilities? Gardening with Hortense restores a sense of agency and accomplishment. Sowing, waiting, harvesting: each step nurtures confidence and pride. The garden also becomes a gathering place, fostering exchanges between residents, families, and caregivers. Finally, the smells, textures, and memories of old vegetable gardens awaken memory and the senses, supporting reminiscence and relaxation. An invitation to slow down, create together, and reconnect with living things. View the Hortense product Whether through music, movement, play, or nature, our innovations all have one thing in common: they place the human experience at the heart of everything. Together, they contribute to creating more vibrant, sensitive, and deeply connected living environments.