When it comes to physical therapy in seniors, most people tend to picture rehabilitation, wherein therapists help older adults regain their functions and recover after an injury, illness, or surgery. This process’s common methods are manual therapy, traction, therapeutic exercise, and hot and cold therapy. They focused on getting the older adults back on their feet and ready to become relatively independent.
Nowadays, physical therapy for seniors does not just entail rehabilitation exercises. It’s not just limited to healthcare professionals telling patients what to do. Health experts are now exploring more methods of helping older adults lower their risk of injury, decrease their pain, and maintain a healthy and independent lifestyle.
The physical therapy models nowadays are expansive, and older adults can now enjoy a wide range of enjoyable activities while getting the benefits of PT. They can walk, swim, run, or play sports to enhance their overall health and fitness. Because of this, most elderly patients will have more motivation to take better care of themselves.
How Physical Therapy Can Benefit Seniors
Many people assume that life after retirement entails just sitting on the couch or napping all day, but this isn’t what most older adults want for themselves. They want to enjoy life to the fullest and slow down the effects of aging. Seniors thrive when they live and move as independently as possible, and this type of treatment can help them achieve that.
Aside from helping people recover lost functions, strength, flexibility, and coordination after an injury or illness, physical therapy can benefit seniors by taking a proactive approach to their well-being. Physical therapy can help seniors prevent accidents and deterioration by keeping them at their optimal fitness level. It helps maintain, or even improve, their physical abilities.
Changing Approaches to Physical Therapy in Seniors
As the famous adage goes, “prevention is better than cure.” Although it might sound cliché, the statement holds a profound truth and forms the basis for many physical therapy models today. It’s no longer just a form of treatment to try after injuries, illnesses, or surgical operations; it’s a way to prevent problems before they occur.
Physical therapy is not just for rehab anymore, as numerous approaches now take over as health experts learn more about seniors and many conditions that affect them. It now includes prehab, a proactive way of preventing future injuries and problems by training muscles. Fall prevention, strength and flexibility training, pain management, and sports medicine are notable methods of PT’s current models.
With the supervision and assistance of professional therapists, seniors can enjoy various activities that can enhance or keep their mental and physical abilities, such as playing sports or taking regular walks. In doing so, they can maintain independence and gain more confidence in themselves, leading to more positive outcomes.
Get Physical Therapy, Fall Prevention, and Home Health for Seniors
Physical therapy is transforming now that experts understand its benefits and what it can do for seniors. It’s now an integral method of keeping older adults in their optimal conditions and preventing many age-related risks. With experts exploring newer approaches to PT, it’s undeniable that it can benefit anyone regardless of ability, age, and lifestyle.
If you’re looking for physical therapy and fall prevention for seniors in Denver, CO, let Gateway Home Health and Hospice help. We provide our patients with the utmost care and compassion as we take care of their health needs right in the comforts of their homes. Contact us today.