Geriatric physical therapy helps seniors improve strength, balance, endurance, and coordination. These customized services are generally performed in a clinical setting or home, which improves functionality and helps preserve independence.
Let’s explore the empowering services PT provides older adults.
How Does Geriatric Physical Therapy Protect Seniors?
A physical therapy service plan is always based on the individual’s unique functionality. To begin a geriatric plan of physical therapy care, the physical therapist does a series of assessments called the Functional Capacity Evaluation, or FCE. This head-to-toe assessment reveals measurable details about a senior’s:
- Muscular and bone strength
- Range of motion in joints, such as the hip, knee, shoulder, and spine
- Level and location of pain
- Cardiovascular endurance
- Coordination
- Reaction time
- Balance and risk for falls
Based on the results of the Functional Capacity Evaluation, the physical therapist can determine how much muscular atrophy has taken place. After surgery or prolonged illness or hospital stay, the FCE reveals how much healing and re-conditioning the older adult will need to safely ambulate, climb stairs, perform activities of daily living, and fully recover.
Care plans developed from FCEs are very individualized, consider the patient’s personal goals, and incorporate the person’s ability/desire to participate in physical therapy. All in all, physical therapy for older adults is about protection from pain, injury, physical and cognitive decline, and progression of disability from chronic conditions, such as osteoarthritis.
Many of our seniors can avoid complex orthopedic surgeries and experience less need for pain medications. Many rebuild continence or avoid it altogether through targeted pelvic floor exercises.
Physical Therapy Services for Seniors
The best physical therapy services are available in a freestanding, state-of-the-art clinic setting or may be delivered conveniently right in the patient’s home. Our therapists have years of education and experience in a wide range of services and are continually inspired to think of new and innovative ways to help people get stronger and healthier.
Physical therapy services for the aging population can include:
- Manual or hands-on therapies, such as massage, joint and soft tissue manipulation, and mobilization
- Exercises, such as stretching and strengthening routines, which target areas of the body that need improvement in strength and function
- Innovative therapies, such as the application of heat and cold, dry needling, electrical stimulation (TENS), ultrasound therapy, and others
- Balance training–things as simple as standing on one foot or walking backward–to prevent falls and fractures
In the physical therapy clinic, hydrotherapy leverages the buoyancy and physical resistance of water to increase joint flexibility, relaxation, and muscular strength.
Geriatric Physical Therapy Provides Education
With the assistance of an experienced physical therapist, the senior adult can learn how to make his or her home safer for ambulation, bathing, preparing meals, and more. Plus, family members can learn how to motivate seniors to keep going with their care plans and how best to assist them with activities of daily living within the home and the community.
Geriatric Physical Therapy in Florida and Across the US
If you are looking for high-quality skilled services for seniors, look no further than H2 Health. We offer physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy. Our physical therapy providers will create a personalized treatment plan for you so that you reach your goals faster. We also accept Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance.
To schedule your consultation with our physical therapists, fill out our appointment request form or call us today at (800) 699-9295.
