Concordia Experts Highlight Senior Physical Therapy Benefits

October is National Physical Therapy Month and a time to raise awareness about the benefits of physical therapy for seniors. Physical therapy is often recommended by physicians, and in some states prescribed, to relieve pain; strengthen weakened muscles; and improve body mobility, balance and coordination. 

Physical therapy for seniors is especially important because it not only helps them to prevent injuries and falls, it also promotes independence by allowing senior patients to remain active without putting themselves at risk for injury. Before adjusting your current physical activity, consult your doctor to determine the most appropriate level for your age and health.

Preventing Falls and Injuries

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of injury for adults aged 65 and older. More concerning, fall-related deaths among seniors has increased by 41% since 2012. The good news is that falls are preventable with proper education and physical therapy.

Jenn Anderson (pictured in feature image), Concordia at Cabot director of outpatient therapy, and Mike Bires, in-home physical therapist for Concordia Visiting Nurses, recommend assessing a patient’s environment to identify and modify hazards for effective fall prevention.

“Physical therapists can make recommendations such as increasing the light in a dimly lit room, removing throw rugs from your hallway, placing a non-slip mat in the bathroom and re-arranging furniture in your home to allow for wide and clear walkways,” Jenn explains.

Mike adds, “We advise installing grab bars, cleaning up clutter and wearing proper footwear. All of these things lead to improvement, safety and balance in their environment to decrease a risk of falls.”

Beyond environmental improvements, physical therapy can enhance a patient’s mobility and stability.

“Physical therapists provide assessment and specific exercises to assist in improving one’s internal risk factors for falls,” Jenn continues. “These include, but are not limited to, increasing joint mobility, providing pain management, improving muscle strength for greater joint stability, balance, gait and assistive device training, as well as teaching one how to get on and off of the floor.”

Managing Chronic Conditions

Physical activity is one of the most impactful steps we can take to improve our overall health. For seniors and those with chronic conditions, physical therapy becomes essential in managing symptoms.

“Exercise has positive effects on heart health. Regular exercise routines can help lower blood pressure, lessen the risk of diabetes, and improve insulin sensitivity and improve circulation,” Mike notes.

Jenn adds, “Our bodies are made to move, not to be sedentary. The more we move, the more our bodies reap the benefits. While physical therapists cannot treat all medical conditions, we can educate, teach and provide safe and attainable exercise guidelines to someone with a chronic condition.

“We can also work side-by-side with other medical professionals for an interdisciplinary approach to manage chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity.”

Related: Physical Therapy Month: Highlighting movements BIG and small

Promoting Independence

Through education, exercise and pain and symptom management, physical therapy enables older adults to maintain their independence as they age.

Physical therapy plans can be customized to address a patient’s specific needs and help patients regain confidence in performing activities of daily living.

Related: Physical Therapy in the Home Setting

For Mike, who sees patients in an in-home setting, the focus is on helping patients be safe and independent in their home environment.

“In-home physical therapists do not have all the fancy equipment at our disposal for exercise routines, so creativity comes into play to allow for an effective rehab program,” he explains. “We recommend various equipment to assist seniors with activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing and mobility. We also make recommendations on the amount of assistance from caregivers to allow seniors to perform modified tasks independently and safely.”

Jenn adds, “Physical therapy can help to address current issues or help to prevent future issues that may lead one to lose independence. Being pro-active is one of the best ways to decrease your fall risks and remain independent!”

Related: How Concordia’s Outpatient Physical Therapy Helps Patients Get Back on Their Feet

Concordia offers short-term rehabilitation for seniors at several of our locations. Outpatient therapy services are offered at Concordia at Cabot and to our independent living residents, including our Highpointe Retirement Living, Concordia of the South Hills and Concordia Village of Tampa communities.

If you or a loved one receive doctor orders for in-home physical therapy services, ask for Concordia Visiting Nurses and experience high quality care provided by experienced physical therapists.

For more information about our physical therapy programs near you, send us a message through our online contact form.

Founded in 1881, Concordia Lutheran Ministries is a faith-based, CARF-accredited Aging Services Network and recipient of the inaugural Pennsylvania Department of Aging Excellence in Quality Care Award. As one of the largest nonprofit senior care providers in the country, the organization serves 50,000 people annually through in-home care and inpatient locations.