Often known as Geriatric rehabilitation, Geriatric Physiotherapy is a physiotherapy brand that helps manage physical issues in elderly people. With growing age, various pain-related problems start to arise. That's when you need the help of a Geriatric Physiotherapist to work for the elderly community. Geriatric physiotherapy mainly focuses on people in the aging process. It helps the aged people or the elderly to improve their present physical strength and balance. Geriatric physiotherapy also supports the older community, builds confidence, and keeps them active for longer.
With growing age, your body undergoes various degenerative issues, which will lead to loss of strength in the muscle tone. It will restrict flexibility and mobility. You will experience changes in emotional and social functioning with an increase in your age, affecting your quality of life and well-being. Geriatric physiotherapy is vital as it involves loads of intervening and preventive measures to offer final care and support, essential for improving and managing quality of life and functional independence.
The present nature of Geriatric Physiotherapy is to assess and treat, focusing on the physical nature of the person's condition. Physical tasks are the treatment's major starting point for older adults. Interventions must include an assessment of a person's abilities and difficulties in performing tasks like transfer on or off the chair or bed, general mobility, and more.
Assessing the older adult will help geriatricians identify the underlying impairment impacting the task. Experts use a few techniques that will differ from those taught for all age groups. It can be a manual technique used in a clinical setting or a functional intervention in the adult's home.
Proper care needs to be taken with special geriatric physiotherapy techniques and more time needs to be given to learning and practicing the exercises. Geriatric physiotherapy will include rest, compression, ice, and elevation. However, the therapist might also need to assess the skin's condition to allow for safer use of ice or the effects of the compression.
There are so many conditions, well treated by geriatric physiotherapy assessment. If you are facing any of the problems mentioned below, it is time to visit a physiotherapist immediately.
Joints will connect bones within your body. It will bear weight and support you during movements. Joint pain is primarily caused by inflammation of the joint lining, injuries, arthritis, hemarthrosis, and gout. If it is left untreated for a long time, it can restrict mobility and lead to instability in daily work.
After a certain age, everyone faces general weakness. One of the major attributes is the degenerative changes that will come with age resulting in stiff joints, poor muscle tone, and more. It worsens if there are other chronic conditions like endocrine problems, neurological issues, and musculoskeletal issues.
It is one condition where the aged person fails to maintain an upright position. It is the imbalance and loss of the righting reflexes. Geriatric Physiotherapy, like balance exercises, will improve postural instability and help patients to get back to their normal state.
In the elderly, balance impairment means loss of normal functions of bones and muscles. It is the common result of arthritis and orthostatic hypotension. Other factors behind this problem are numbness in the legs and feet, blood circulation issues, eye problems, and taking multiple medications. Geriatric Physiotherapy, like balance exercises, will improve bone and muscle functions.
Lack of physical activity in elderly people will lead to some bedridden results, which can degrade the condition of bones and muscles even more. Without regular exercise, people over the age group of 50 will experience a range of health issues. Some of those are:
It is important for seniors to maintain an active lifestyle and to engage in regular physical activity to reduce the risks associated with inactivity. Geriatric physiotherapy can help seniors safely and effectively incorporate physical activity into their daily routines.
Safe pain treatment like geriatric rehabilitation physiotherapy in Bangalore and geriatric rehabilitation physiotherapy in Hyderabad is always available for older adults. Most adults will feel pain as a natural part of their aging and won't tell anyone about their problems. But, it is vital to visit a doctor for immediate pain relief.
Even though there are end numbers of pain relievers that are safe for older people, doctors will take special precautions while prescribing medications. However, stretching and basic general exercises will keep pain at bay, and older adults won't even have to take painkillers as a remedy. So, daily exercises, eating good food, and staying hydrated are some ways to prevent pain.
Before you give a neurological physiotherapist a call for help, it is important to learn about the available treatment approaches. These are mostly incorporated with a selection of the following treatments, as mentioned below:
This therapy specializes in aging adults' needs and will help treat conditions like cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, joint replacement, and balance disorders. It comes with specialized programs.
Here, the therapist helps in treating injuries to the musculoskeletal system and recovering from orthopedic surgeries.
This therapy is great for increasing endurance and functional independence when somebody suffers from cardiovascular or pulmonary conditions like a heart attack.
Here, the focus remains on the body and brain. It helps to treat patients suffering from neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease, ALS, and more.
Geriatric physiotherapy can be done in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, and in-home settings. Treatment may include exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and mobility, as well as balance and gait training. In addition to traditional physical therapy techniques, geriatric physiotherapy may also include assistive devices, such as canes, walkers, and wheelchairs, to help seniors maintain their independence.
It is important for seniors to maintain an active lifestyle and to seek medical attention if they experience any changes in their physical abilities. Geriatric physiotherapy can help seniors improve their quality of life and maintain their independence as they age.
Apart from relieving older adults from pain, Geriatric Physiotherapists can help to treat other neurological issues, orthopedic conditions, and muscle pains among individuals.
Geriatricians might help manage the following:
They could also put together a management or healthcare plan to keep you as healthy and independent as possible.
Ask your doctor, close friends, or family to recommend a good geriatrician. You can also take the help of search engines to find a geriatrician near you.
At Physio Tattva, we are committed to bring access to quality physio care through ultra-modern clinics and high-skilled practitioners to all. Our world-class therapists keep a strong focus on patient needs and deliver the highest level of care.
