How important is Physiotherapy for Elderly People?

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The efficiency of the body and proper functioning goes through gradual decline with ageing. The conditions can worsen further in the event of encountering fatal injuries, chronic health problems and other factors. Exercising and physiotherapy can work wonders in alleviating the pain and stress while bestowing a fresh feel, convenience in mobility, and greater flexibility.

Ailments and Diseases Addressed by Physiotherapy

The physiotherapy exercises for the elderly help to deal with several health problems including: 

• Cardiac diseases
• Arthritis/Osteoarthritis
• Nervous system complications like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, etc.
• Strain injuries
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD)
• Diabetes
• Stress and Depression
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Cancer

Some Important Considerations about Physiotherapy Sessions

There are two options when it comes to arranging physiotherapy care for the elderly parents and grandparents. Either you can call the therapist to impart the practice at home or you can take the senior relatives to some nearby institute. The decision will depend on several factors.

If the elderly member is healthy, enough and you are exploring the physiotherapy as an option to build strength, maintain flexibility of the muscles, retain the body balance system and coordination for longer years, then taking them to an institute can be very helpful. Apart from exercising, they will enjoy the social environment, communicate with others and be happier.

Some crucial health conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease may result in persistent complications where mobility can be challenging. In such cases, you may consider some arrangements for physiotherapy for elderly at home.

Whatever be your decision, the physiotherapist will conduct a detailed analysis based on the medical reports, health assessment, monitoring and physical examination of all the facts to understand the condition in terms of level of flexibility, movement range and body strength. On the basis of these details, the professional trainer will prepare the exercises and therapeutic application.

Benefits of Physiotherapy and Exercises for the Elderly

Regular physiotherapy sessions help the elderly people to gain several health benefits including: 

• Improved blood circulation
• Greater flexibility
• Effective relief from pain, repeated strains, stresses etc.
• Strong body
• Maintain body balance and coordination
• Comfortable breathing 

The physiotherapists may consider different applications as per the requirement of the elderly patients including massage, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, ultrasound, hot treatment, and others. While some manual massage practices can be conducted at home, but in some cases, the patients are treated under proper medical equipment settings. For such special arrangements, you may need to take your elderly relatives to some Physiotherapy center, admit them in a hospital in the intensive care unit, or other specific department depending upon the recommendations of the doctor.

The healthcare professionals suggest the elderly people over the age of 60 years to remain under the regular general physiotherapy practices to maintain sound health and keep the complications at a distance for longer years. Before taking on any form of exercises, always consult a therapist to ensure safety.