Positive Affects of Physical Therapy in Seniors

physical therapy in seniors

In the month of October we celebrate Physical Therapy month. Physical therapy has always been known to help strengthen muscles from various injuries and illnesses. Though physical therapy is widely known among athletes and competitors, we know in home healthcare that physical therapy is an imperative tool for treatment and care in seniors.  

It is important that we continue to talk about the positive impacts that physical therapy has had on increasing lifespan and restoring muscle strength in seniors. In many cases, quality of life improves and independence is even restored.  

Here are some of the specific ways that physical therapy can positively affect seniors:  

      1. Assist with age-related problems. 

 Ailments like arthritis and an increase of overall pain can keep seniors from performing common day to day actions. But with consistent physical therapy sessions, mobility and movement can begin to improve. Mobility and movement are generally two aspects that elderly adults usually struggle with. Sometimes we don’t even realize how our muscles are working for us when we are performing common mundane tasks and with age we begin to lose strength in those muscles. Targeting those specific muscle groups helps with alleviating pain and continual practice of those usual motions.  

      2. Recovery from injuries. 

No matter how hard we try to focus on injury prevention, accidents and injuries do still happen. In the past, falls have been known to be detrimental to the quality of life for older people. With the continuous care and focus of a physical therapist, strengthening muscle groups over a gradual period of time, we can see significant improvement, and at times, even complete restoration. When a muscle is weakened by injury, many times physical therapists will call to strengthen surrounding muscle groups to release tension on the affected muscle. Treatments like this provide relief and allow for continual motion.   

      3. Significantly improve balance.

 

Being in home health care, we focus so much around fall prevention and awareness at all times. Loss of balance is one of the leading causes of falls and with the help of physical therapy can become more easily preventable. Physical therapists can easily identify balance disorders and what body part(s) may be causing the imbalance. Improving balance and strength reduces the risk for falls and allows independence to be maintained for a longer period of time. 

As we age, our bodies don’t regenerate as easily as they once did, and need extra care and attention to continue functioning properly. Physical therapy is a tool and form of therapy that can be used to not only treat but also prevent injuries. 

We want to thank our own physical therapists for their dedication to well-rounded patient care. They are essential in ensuring our patients are as independent and as comfortable as possible in their own environments. 

At Home Care Providers we value physical therapy and what it does to improve the quality of life in our patients. If you feel that physical therapy would be right for you or your loved one, contact us or your current benefits plan and see what options are available. 

Prevention will always be more cost effective than treatment.  

Do You Need In-Home Therapy Support? 

 Whether you need therapy services, in-home caregiver services, skilled nursing care, or remote monitoring for a loved one, Home Care Providers - Nightingale Home Health, Nightingale Visiting Nurse, and Aspire Home Health can help. We give you the support you need to provide the best care for your loved one. Request a personalized quote from your local Home Care Provider organization. 

________________________________________________________________ 

Home Care Providers provides personalized, high-quality care with the most innovative technology allowing physicians, families, and care teams to stay connected and compliant by documenting and communicating within a secure portal. We want our patients, families, physicians, hospitals, and any facility we coordinate care with to experience THE BEST services possible! 

Leave a Comment