Effects of the Buddy-Up Dyadic Physical Activity Program on Health Outcomes of Care Dyads of Dementia: A Pilot Study

The overall program includes 12 weekly 1-hour training class. Each session starts with a 10-minute warm-up period using stretching exercise and stationary mobilizing exercise for trunk and limb joints at both upper and lower bodies (e.g. shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles), and followed by a session of four to six selected partnering exercise, with duration increase gradually from 20 minutes to 40minutes in four weeks' time. The Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion (Borg RPE) will be used to monitor the exercise intensity. The Research assistant will explain the Borg RPE scale to the subjects and instruct them to speed up or slow down their movements. The training session will end with a 10-minute cool down session with walking exercise and stationary trunk and limb mobilizing exercise involving joints of shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles.

Active Comparator: Usual Care Activities will be provided by the elderly community center such as dementia or caregiver supporting service. They will be allowed to use the regular service provided such services are not related to physical activity or exercise training