Physiotherapy is a well-known field, but when we concentrate on the portion devoted to the elderly, questions frequently surface. Geriatric physiotherapy involves using specific procedures or equipment, such as dumbbells, elastic bands, or machines that provide heat, cold, or ultrasound, to treat a variety of diseases in patients. However, geriatric physical therapy for injuries does not stop there; it also works to increase mobility to stop falls and other trauma-related incidents.
As we’ll see below, geriatric physiotherapy helps the elderly feel better emotionally and socially in addition to its physical benefits.
Why is physiotherapy important for the elderly?
In the absence of an accident, physical therapy focuses on prevention because tissue degradation starts as we age. They are also advised to lead as active a lifestyle as they can and encouraged to do so. A physiotherapist, “when people stop leaving the house and doing activities, that’s when the tissues begin to degrade at a higher rate, and you have to try to make them as active as possible.”
The value of physiotherapy in older persons lies in retraining how to move to decrease the likelihood of injury and suffering because the musculature inevitably atrophies with age. The more agility and strength a person loses as they age, the longer and more difficult it will be for their muscles to recover.
It is also beneficial psychologically, especially if the physiotherapy sessions are conducted at home. Older individuals frequently live alone, so the professional also offers to keep them company and listen to them, which they typically like.
Benefits and objectives of physiotherapy treatment in the elderly
If we concentrate on the more tangible advantages, we can categorize them into three major categories based on their goal: prevention, diagnosis, and rehabilitation. This establishes which physiotherapy methods are always more effective for treating elderly patients.
Prevention
As we’ve previously mentioned, it’s advised that all seniors participate in geriatric physiotherapy sessions to enhance and maintain their quality of life. In order to accomplish this, older patients receive physiotherapy exercises with the following objectives:
- Increase muscle strength.
- Improve balance.
- Increase agility and movement of the joints.
The older person is able to age more actively as a result, and autonomy also enhances mental and emotional wellbeing. Therefore, physiotherapy for the elderly helps to prevent loneliness and, as a result, conditions like depression and dysthymia. Additionally, it improves the aged person’s sense of security and self-worth.
Diagnosis
In the elderly, pain is almost never absent. A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to it sometimes, although injuries can also play a role. The source of the lesion can be found with this kind of treatment. The physical therapist may be able to resolve it right away, depending on what it is and how serious it is. Nevertheless, depending on the cause of the injury and the results of the medical exams, he can advise the patient to visit a specialized physician.
Rehabilitation
When a diagnosis has already been made, geriatric rehabilitation concentrates on helping the patient recover as much as they can and lessening the chronic pain associated with conditions like arthritis, for which there is currently no solution. Although the primary goal of rehabilitation for the elderly is always to avoid, this is its most well-known advantage.
The expert refocuses physiotherapy activities for the elderly to prevent re-injury following the patient’s treatment and recovery.