Physiotherapy for Elderly at Home

Did you know that more than 30% of seniors use physical therapy?

While many people think that physiotherapy is primarily for athletes or those recovering from surgery, it has many benefits for the elderly too. 

Physical therapy can improve quality of life by easing pain and enhancing mobility in later life. In addition, physiotherapy can also prevent injuries and provide relief from some genetic disorders. 

Physiotherapy for the elderly at home can address a range of complex health issues, so if you want to know about the benefits and how it works, read on.

Improved Balance

About 36 million seniors fall every year. A fall can result in severe injury or even death. A serious fracture can mean a loss of independence and a prolonged hospital stay.

Maybe people think falls are unavoidable, that they're simply the product of making a wrong, unlucky step. However, they're one of the most preventable factors of aging and are not inevitable.

Aged care physiotherapy can improve balance and footwork through a variety of exercises. The main goal is to make you more adaptable to different landscapes. For example, your therapist might have you walking through agility ladders or working on wobble boards. 

You can't always control what happens in the world around you. You could be walking through a parking lot and trip on a rock. These exercises concentrate on improving your balance and self-movement in a controlled environment, allowing you to balance better in your everyday life. This means that you'll be better able to keep your balance, avoid a fall even when tripping on unexpected objects.

Improved Mobility

Many senior citizens experience impacted mobility due to pain, injury, or faulty movement patterns. With low mobility, you won't want to do things you usually enjoy. For example, if you love walking in the garden, you'll end up avoiding it if it's impossible to walk without pain.

Through the use of a physiotherapist, you can get a professional pair of eyes on your gait and movement patterns. They'll be able to give you a few minor adjustments and exercises that will dramatically improve your comfort and mobility as you move through the world.

In addition, your hand mobility can be improved with some exercise putty, strengthening your grip, and improving your dexterity. 

Pain Treatment

When you're sore, you might just reach for the painkillers and wait for the pain to go away. Back pain, neck pain, and joint pain are widespread as you age, but you don't have to live with them. 

Private physiotherapy for elderly patients can improve your joint function and comfort, allowing you to be more active. A physiotherapist can help strengthen your muscles, improve your coordination and flexibility, resulting in less pain. 

Pain is not always obvious. If you experience back pain, it might not be a result of your back. Your back could be aching because your posture is impacted by knee or ankle problems and strengthening your ankles with a Thera-Band could work wonders. Specialists in physiotherapy for elderly patients can track down the source of your pain and effectively treat it. 

This means you won't be taking as much pain medication and will enjoy more time pain-free!

Surgical Recovery

Physiotherapy often has the goal of avoiding surgery. Your therapist will always try to correct an issue and reduce pain without making you go under the knife. This is one of the most significant benefits of physiotherapy—it's a non-invasive alternative to medication and surgery. 

However, sometimes surgery is unavoidable. In these cases, physiotherapy for elderly rehabilitation can reduce recovery time.

You'll likely have a period of pre-op exercises and a period of post-op exercises. The pre-op exercises will strengthen the area, preparing it for the trauma of surgery. The post-op phase will increase the range of motion, rebuild strength lost due to weakening, and get you on your feet faster.

Urinary Tract Infections 

UTIs are common in seniors, particularly in women. Seniors often lack signs of urgency, causing them to avoid bathroom runs unintentionally. UTIs can cause pain, fever, and confusion and can be a contributing factor in fall risk.

Physical therapy can reduce the risk of UTIs by improving bowel habits. Strengthening the pelvic floor and deep core muscles allows seniors to go to the bathroom more often and empty their bladders more effectively.

Mental Health Benefits

Regular exercise has been proven to have mental health benefits. It boosts your mood, makes you more energetic, and improves self-esteem. A physiotherapist can teach you how to exercise safely independently, allowing you to experience these benefits for yourself.

In addition, meeting with a therapist or a group for a physiotherapy class is a social experience and a valuable source of connection. 

Maintain Independence

All of the above benefits mean one thing: improved quality of life. The longer seniors can maintain their independence and dignity, the happier they are and the more they enjoy their lives.

Staying consistent with a clinic or home-based physiotherapy program can make the difference between living at home and living in a retirement community. 

Experience the Benefits of Physiotherapy for the Elderly at Home

Physiotherapy for the elderly at home provides a host of benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing. It gives you a clear-cut path to a graceful aging process, maintaining independence and strength as you go. Experience the benefits for yourself with a few sessions.

Don't forget, if you need to pick up any equipment for your exercises, check out Statewide Home Health Care and our selection of top-quality and affordable rehab equipment!