A simple combination of daily physical exercise and protein-rich nutritional drinks may offer meaningful health benefits for people living with dementia. Researchers from Karolinska Institutet report that participants who followed this routine showed improvements in their physical capabilities. After three months, the researchers also observed indications that some individuals were able to manage more everyday tasks independently. The findings were published in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia, contributing to growing evidence that relatively straightforward lifestyle interventions can influence health and independence among older adults in care settings.
Older adults who live in residential care facilities frequently face several health challenges, including a higher risk of malnutrition, reduced muscle strength, and increasing frailty. These factors can significantly affect both overall wellbeing and daily functioning. Previous work from the OPEN study has already demonstrated that this programme can improve physical function and support better muscle mass and nutritional status among residents. The latest research builds on those earlier findings by examining whether the same programme also influences the amount of assistance individuals require in their daily routines.
The analysis included 102 residents from eight nursing homes located in the Stockholm region. Participants in the intervention group followed a structured routine for twelve weeks. This routine involved performing short standing exercises several times throughout the day while also consuming one or two protein-enriched nutritional drinks. These drinks were designed to help increase protein intake, which is often insufficient among older adults, particularly those living in care environments where appetite loss or illness can make adequate nutrition difficult to maintain.
Throughout the study period, researchers closely monitored the level of support participants required for routine daily activities. These included personal hygiene, getting dressed, and moving from one place to another within the care facility. Such tasks are commonly used as indicators of functional independence because they reflect how well individuals can manage essential aspects of daily life without assistance. By comparing the intervention group with a control group that did not follow the programme, the researchers aimed to determine whether improvements in physical strength and nutrition translated into practical changes in care needs.
When the research team analysed the results across all residents collectively, they did not observe a clear overall difference between the intervention and control groups. However, a more detailed analysis revealed an interesting pattern once the results were separated according to ward type. Among residents living in dementia units, those who had participated in the exercise and nutrition programme demonstrated improvements in their functional abilities. As a result, they required less time from staff for assistance compared with residents in the control group.
According to Anders Wimo, a researcher at the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society at Karolinska Institutet, one possible explanation lies in the physical condition of residents within dementia wards. Some individuals in these units may retain enough physical capacity to respond positively to targeted exercise and nutritional support. When their strength and function improve, they may regain the ability to perform certain tasks independently, which can reduce their reliance on caregivers for everyday activities.
The researchers also note that earlier interviews conducted as part of related sub-studies suggest improved physical function may influence how much help a person needs in various situations. Nevertheless, they emphasise that the current findings should be interpreted cautiously because the analysis was conducted retrospectively as a secondary outcome. Further research is therefore needed, particularly studies designed specifically to measure care time as a primary outcome. Future work should also consider organisational factors, such as staffing levels and workplace routines, which may influence how improvements in residents’ abilities translate into actual changes in care provision.
More information: Anders Wimo et al, Impact of an exercise and nutrition program on caregiver time with residents in institutional care—A secondary analysis, Alzheimer’s & Dementia. DOI: 10.1002/alz.71198
Journal information: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Provided by Karolinska Institutet
