Geriatric Physiotherapy
Geriatric physical therapy covers a
wide area of problems concerning the elderly. Many
conditions affect people as they grow older and include but are not limited to the
following: arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, hip and joint
replacement, balance disorders incontinence, etc. Geriatric physical therapists
specialize in providing therapy for such conditions and ailments.
Physiotherapists play a key role in enabling older people to use a few of
the body’s
systems fully to enhance mobility and independence. Physiotherapists can make a
difference by helping older people to be comfortable and pain-free. The types of problems
faced in geriatric physiotherapy are grouped into three different categories.
One category is the problems that
happen because the patient simply does not use their limbs or does not
exercise. These problems can be addressed by reconditioning through
range-of-motion exercises and other exercises.
Another category geriatric
physiotherapy deals with is cardiovascular disease, like heart disease and
stroke. The physiotherapy professional has an array of tools at her disposal to
work with these conditions. Exercise, aqua therapy, electrical stimulation, and
more can be used.
The third category is skeletal problems.
Geriatric physiotherapy helps people who have these disorders, such as
osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. These problems require special attention as
osteoporosis makes patients frailer, and osteoarthritis is very painful.
Procedure
The procedure is performed with the
help of a suitable professional, the physiotherapist. The physiotherapist will
teach and apply global exercises and active techniques to the elderly so that
the patient gains mastery of new movements of his/her body and develop physical
and mental balance. Currently, geriatric physiotherapy can be applied in three
different ways: hydrotherapy, mechanotherapy, and kinesiotherapy
(biomechanical movements). The elderly are treated much like anybody
else in the sense that there is an initial treatment phase that will be medical
or surgical, after which you will often be referred to a physiotherapist who
will conduct an assessment to establish how they intend to treat you. Their
rehabilitation plan will vary hugely, depending on, for example, the condition
itself, the patient and their mindset, their home and family situation, as
well as previous family history. For patients suffering from mobility issues,
dementia, or with a history of falls, a physiotherapist is important in
evaluating the home setting.
The goal of your therapist here is
not to impose what they think is right on you, but rather to make adjustments
that you are comfortable and happy with to allow you as much independence and
safety as possible. While rehabilitating mobility, a physio will use
traditional tools such as strengthening exercises and hydrotherapy in the
context of geriatric care. For example, as falls are a major issue in the
elderly, emphasis is placed on balance and postural improvements to minimize
the risk of further falls, each of which carries a risk of critical injury.
Hydrotherapy is also an important tool in the rehabilitation of the
elderly as underwater exercises remove unwanted stress from joints that are
very prone to damage,
Exercises
Exercise regarding
geriatric therapy might include activities like
- Stretching
- Walking
- Weightlifting
- Aquatic therapy
- And specific exercises that are geared towards a specific injury or limitation. A therapist works with the person, teaching them to exercise on their own, so that they may continue their exercise program reception.
Geriatric
physical therapy is different from other types of physical therapy because it
focuses more on building strength and endurance in older adults to help in the
following ways:
- Keeping active
- Preventing deconditioning (reversal of previous conditioning)
- Preventing muscle atrophy (the wasting away of muscles)
- Decreasing the risk of falls and related injuries
- Maintaining independence in performing daily activities
Geriatric
physical therapy can be performed in a variety of settings, including:
- Hospitals and clinics on an outpatient basis
- Inpatient healthcare facilities like nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, as well as assisted living facilities
- At home, which is especially helpful for those with mobility challenges who have difficulty getting out.
- Most geriatric physical therapy is performed on an outpatient basis and covered by Medicare Part B. Home care services are also covered under Medicare Part B, while inpatient services are covered under Medicare Part A. For older adults not covered under Medicare, physical therapy can also be partially or fully covered by commercial insurance plans and state-funded Medicaid plans based on medical necessity.
Additional
Senior Rehabilitation
Other
rehabilitation services for older adults to restore health and optimal physical
functioning include:
Neurological
physical therapy to treat neurological conditions like strokes,
brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s
disease
Cardiac
rehabilitation to improve endurance and restore proper cardiac
functioning after a heart attack or heart surgery
Occupational
therapy to restore fine motor control and functional hand use
to complete activities of daily living
Stretches and
Equipment for Seniors
Geriatric
physical therapy generally consists of a variety of exercises that improve
strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance to aid in activities and
movements and prevent overall deconditioning. Exercises typically include:
Lower body
stretches, especially for the lower back, hamstrings, and hip
flexors, to promote good mobility and joint alignment and to prevent tight
muscles or stiff joints from interfering with proper muscle activation
Endurance
training to keep the heart and lungs healthy and to improve
circulation using cardiovascular equipment like treadmills and stationary bikes
Lower body
strengthening exercises that target the glutes and quads
(muscles in the thighs and buttocks) to maintain strength, such as
sit-to-stands, squats, step-ups, leg lifts, and bridges
Balance
exercises to help you maintain your stability when standing,
walking, and changing directions, including static balance exercises on flat
and uneven surfaces, weight-shifting exercises, marching, and tandem walking
heel to toe
Bodyweight
exercises to help improve your mobility. If equipment is used,
usually only light weights or bands are provided to supply increased resistance
without overloading joints.
Treatments in
Geriatric Physiotherapy
Geriatric conditions usually include
musculoskeletal problems, mental illness, incontinence, and impaired senses,
balance problems, chronic pain, and sleep deprivation. Physiotherapy treatments
have been successful in resolving or managing each of these ailments. Here’s
what physiotherapy has to offer to the field of geriatrics. What are the
conditions treated by Geriatric Physiotherapists?
1) Joint Pain
Joints connect bones within your
body, bear weight and provide support during movements. Usually, joint pain is
caused by injuries, inflammation of the lining of the joint, hemarthrosis,
arthritis, STDs, and gout. If the joint pain is left untreated for a longer
time, it can restrict mobility and lead to weakness or instability to perform
normal activities.
Geriatric physiotherapy is the best
treatment to help reduce joint pain and improve the stability of the joints.
2) Generalized Weakness
Generalized weakness is one of the
most common issues that almost every individual face posts a certain age. One
of the attributes of this is degenerative changes that come with age resulting in
poor muscle tone, stiff joints, etc. This is further worsened by the presence of other
chronic conditions such as neurological issues, endocrine problems, and musculoskeletal
issues.
Some of the common causes of
generalized weakness are flu, thyroid disease, anemia, depression, lack of
sleep, undiagnosed diabetes, congestive heart failure, and medication side
effects. Geriatric physiotherapy helps in bringing back physical strength and
stability, thereby improving patients’ quality of life.
3) Postural Instability
Postural instability is a condition
of inability to maintain an upright position. In other words, it is the
imbalance and loss of righting reflexes that are required to maintain an
upright position. Geriatric physiotherapy such as balance exercises can improve
postural instability and help patients resume back to their normal state.
4) Balance Impairment
Balance impairment in the elderly is the loss of normal functioning of muscles and bones. It is mostly caused due to arthritis and orthostatic hypotension. Other factors causing balance impairment include numbness in the feet and legs, eye problems, blood circulation problems, and intake of multiple medicines. Geriatric physiotherapy treatment includes balance exercises to help improve the functions of muscles & bones.
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Benefits
Geriatric physical therapy is a
proven means for older adults to improve mobility and balance, build strength,
boost confidence in their physical abilities, and nonetheless, remain active
over years. However, some of the work of geriatric physiotherapy is not aimed
at returning patients to their earlier states of health. The most important
goals are to be able to function to their best abilities. Doing everyday
tasks and living an unconfined life are valuable assets. At the same time,
geriatric physiotherapy can have a profound effect on a person’s ability to
enjoy physical activities. Golf is an activity that many seniors enjoy. It can
be a very hazardous sport for the elderly if they are not in the
condition to
play. It does have many health benefits, too.
Geriatric physiotherapy can focus on
physical training to get an older adult in shape to play sports like golf. This
strengthens them in many ways. The fact that it allows them to play golf will
make them even healthier, both physically and psychologically. Since depression
is a growing problem among the elderly, any help they can get in this area is
needed. Another role of geriatric physiotherapy is to help with rehabilitation
after knee or hip replacement surgeries. People who have these operations are
likely to walk differently. It affects their abilities to do daily chores and
their quality of life.