William Yeates, an Australian dementia advocate and international speaker, had younger onset Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed at 59. In the years since, he has taken on a series of demanding physical challenges, competing in swimming and surf life-saving events and has completed a four-day, 40-kilometre trek along the Camino de Santiago.

Through his platform, Awakening Your Positivity, he speaks openly about both the challenges of living with dementia, and the role physical activity, personal goals and the right support have played in helping him build a meaningful and ambitious life after diagnosis.

William’s story illustrates one important side of physical activity: after a dementia diagnosis, it can continue to support wellbeing, independence and connection. Its value, however, extends across the whole life course.

Research increasingly links regular physical activity with better brain health and a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia (Lancet Commission, 2024; World Health Organisation, 2026).

Like every organ in our body, the brain needs a steady supply of blood, oxygen and nutrients to work well. Physical activity helps keep the heart and blood vessels healthy, helping deliver this essential supply to the brain. It supports the brain's ability to adapt and form connections — processes important for learning, memory and responding to change — and helps regulate inflammation.

While inflammation is a normal protective response, persistent inflammation can contribute to damage in blood vessels and brain tissue over time. Together, these effects are thought to support memory and thinking as we age (World Health Organisation, 2026).

Physical activity can also help manage blood pressure, blood sugar and high LDL cholesterol. Beyond brain health, regular activity can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers (Lancet Commission, 2024; World Health Organisation, 2024).

These benefits are not only about reducing future disease risk. Better sleep, mood, balance, strength and energy can make everyday life easier, support mental wellbeing and help us remain independent and engaged in the things that matter to us (World Health Organisation, 2020; 2024).

The encouraging part is that physical activity does not have to mean joining a gym, running long distances or following a complicated exercise programme. Put simply, the goal is to move our bodies more and sit less. Walking, gardening, dancing, swimming, household chores and taking the stairs all count. Activity can be spread throughout the day, and even short periods of movement are worthwhile.

If exercise feels out of reach, start with something manageable — a short walk, stretching during television breaks or adding more movement to an everyday routine. If a health condition affects your ability to be active, a healthcare professional can help you find a safe, suitable starting point. Choosing something enjoyable, perhaps with another person, can make it easier to continue and gradually build strength and confidence.

Movement matters at every age. It helps establish healthy habits early in life, manage conditions that influence brain health in midlife, and support mobility, balance and independence as we grow older.

Physical activity does not lose its value after a dementia diagnosis. William’s achievements are not a standard that others must meet. Instead, they remind us that a diagnosis need not mark the end of movement or ambition. Living well will look different for every person, and activities should reflect their own interests, abilities and circumstances.

Ultimately, brain health is not about becoming a perfect exerciser. It is about finding regular, enjoyable ways to move that support both our brains and our bodies.

Memory Matters Myth Buster

Myth: If someone can exercise, travel, speak publicly or pursue ambitious goals, they cannot really have dementia.

Fact: Dementia does not affect every ability at once or each person in the same way. Someone may remain highly capable in some areas while experiencing significant difficulties in others. What a person can do does not make their diagnosis — or the challenges they face — any less real. At the same time, a diagnosis should not lead us to assume someone is incapable before understanding their individual strengths and needs.

• Erica Fulton is executive director of Dementia Bermuda. The organisation provides information, education and support for individuals and families. Learn more at www.dementiabermuda.bm