US fitness trainers can now learn skills and exercises that are geared to help improve physical and mental capacities of people with Alzheimer's.

Developed by the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation (ARPF) and the Medical Fitness Network (MFN), in partnership with Fitness Learning Systems (FLS), the course is available to fitness professionals interested in adding mental health exercise to their skill set.

Money from the sale of the course, titled Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention and Intervention: A Guide to Working with Seniors and People at Risk, will support ARPF programmes, which provide research studies, educational outreach, and memory screenings.

Dharma Singh Khalsa, ARPF founding president, said: “We are delighted to bring this course to fruition in collaboration with MFN and FLS, and qualify health-fitness professionals to serve their community and clients.”

According to some studies, there is a connection between physical activity, mental exercise, diet, and lifestyle in preventing Alzheimer’s. Doctors regularly prescribe diet and exercise as an extension of treatments, however, patients and their carers are often left to their own devices to determine how best to meet the doctor’s orders. 

“This 11-hour continuing education specialist certificate will help prepare fitness and health professionals to work with those suffering from, or at risk for, Alzheimer’s,” said FLS president June Chewning.

MFN founder Lisa Dougherty, added: “We’re proud to support the work being done by the ARPF and thrilled to collaborate with FLS on this important project by providing a referral platform for those who take this course and those who need help.”