Overview
Elderly individuals deal with numerous limitations that alter their quality of life. One of the most prevalent issues is falling.
It is a common source of fear for elderly adults who have to deal with the risk on a daily basis. According to theĀ National Council on Aging, fall-related injuries are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal outcomes in the elderly. Statistics report that an elderly patient with a fall-related injury is admitted to the emergency department every 11 seconds.
Moreover, one in four above the age of 65 will require specialised medical care and physical rehabilitation after falling.
These statistics emphasise the importance of physiotherapy, especially in the elderly population, as it accelerates recovery and improves the prognosis.
In this article, we will briefly discuss the benefits of physiotherapy for the elderly, including how physiotherapy can help with fall prevention.
The benefits of physiotherapy in elderly adults
Getting specialised care from a professional physiotherapist yields numerous health benefits, including:
- Improved coordination and balance
- Boosted energy and muscular strength
- Enhanced dexterity and mobility
- Improved blood pressure control
- Increased bone mineral density
- Reduced risk of falling in the future
- Improved self-esteem
- Lower chances of arthritis flare-ups
Aside from these general benefits, physiotherapy is also vital after a traumatic injury, and experts recommend starting the treatment plan as soon as possible to prevent irreversible damage.
The most commonly utilised methods to treat and prevent future injuries include:
- CryotherapyĀ ā Your therapist will use cold therapy to improve inflammation and reduce pain.
- ThermotherapyĀ ā For patients who cannot support cold therapy, thermotherapy might be used to alleviate their pain and prevent tissue damage.
- ExercisesĀ ā As in the case of recurrent falls, exercises that target specific muscle groups are often the answer to this problem.
Fall prevention
Maintaining balance and coordination is crucial to preventing falls, but itās often difficult to do because of muscle atrophy and reduced articular range of motion.
For this reason, your physiotherapist will supervise and recommend the practice of certain exercises that specifically target the muscles responsible for the standing position.
The frequency and intensity of these exercises will be determined after a careful evaluation of the patientās strengths and weaknesses.
For instance, a tightrope walk is often the first exercise beginners perform, which entails standing with your hands placed on a wall while moving forward and backward.
Each time you get too comfortable with a certain exercise, your physiotherapist will recommend a group of other workouts that increase the stress placed on your muscles and joints.
Here is a list of some of these exercises:
- Flamingo stand
- Back and side leg raises
- Marching in place
- Sit to stands
Other benefits of physiotherapy for elderly adults
1.Ā Ā Ā Ā Maintains independence
Independence is absolutely vital for seniors. It maintains the quality of life, happiness, and dignity.
Fortunately, physiotherapy may help elderly adults live a completely independent lifestyle.Ā
With the right physiotherapy plan, elderlies are less likely to rely on their wheelchairs or other assistive tools for mobility.
A healthier physical lifestyle allows elderly adults to live a happier, more fulfilling life. The following tasks will no longer be a challenge:
- Buying groceries
- Cleaning the house
- Cooking meals
- Doing the laundry
- Walking up and down stairs
2.Ā Ā Ā Ā Improves mental health
Unfortunately, the prevalence of mental disorders in elderly adults is extremely high. The fact that they have to deal with chronic pain, retirement, and lifestyle changes can be daunting.
This is why we see depression, anxiety, and several types of phobias develop in elderly adults. Through the regulation of brain neurotransmitters, physiotherapy can help with these issues.
According to studies, when people have better control over their physical health, it will inadvertently improve their mental well-being.
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3.Ā Ā Ā Ā Aids with surgery recovery
In many cases, surgery is the only effective treatment left. Physiotherapy helps patients build up their strength before the surgery. It also helps with the recovery process after the surgery. Performing these exercises aids with blood circulation and cardiovascular function.
In fact, many surgical centers integrated a physiotherapy protocol for their patients that start briefly after undergoing the surgery.
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4.Ā Ā Ā Ā Lowers the risk of debilitating diseases
Physiotherapy optimises the function of the cardiovascular system. This is due to the strengthening of cardiac output and the reduction of blood pressure. By undergoing regular physiotherapy sessions, elderly adults can lower their risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Moreover, physiotherapy integrates several exercise programs, helping people lower their risk of diabetes. Scientists believe that physiotherapy optimises the process of secreting and utilising insulin. If you already have diabetes, you can still benefit from physiotherapy.
5.Ā Ā Ā Ā Relieves chronic pain
Chronic pain is very common in elderly adults. This could be the result of an organic disease or idiopathic. The latter just means that doctors are unable to determine the cause of your pain.
Common triggers of chronic pain include poor blood circulation, stiffness, and insufficient physical activity. Seniors can benefit from physiotherapy as it aids with movement and blood circulation. Physiotherapy is a safe, well-controlled field that helps the elderly with their functional problems.
Note that your response to physiotherapy may be different from another individual. It is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Instead, your therapist will try several options to see which one gives the best results.
For this reason, physiotherapists often focus on creating tailored therapeutic plans based on the patientās habits and movements.
Learn more about the role of physiotherapy in the management of chronic pain by heading over toĀ www.prorehab.sg.
Takeaway message
Physiotherapy is an integral part of recovery after enduring a traumatic injury. This field of medicine is especially beneficial for elderly adults who are susceptible to frequent falls and injuries.
Hopefully, this article managed to convey the importance of physiotherapy in managing and preventing potential traumatic injuries.
If you still have questions, you can reach out to us viaĀ WhatsAppĀ for a private conversation or you can also go toĀ www.prorehab.sgĀ for more information.
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