It is a common misconception that elderly people would only benefit from seeing a physiotherapist if it is for rehabilitation to recover from an injury or from surgery.
However, a regular check-up by a physiotherapist has many benefits, particularly for people aged 65 and over.
Assessment and intervention by a physiotherapist are useful in the prevention and treatment of falls and can be effective in managing a range of long-term health conditions commonly affecting seniors.
Improving strength and fitness is important at every age, and a physiotherapist can work with their clients to improve muscle strength, flexibility and balance, as well as to identify potential risk factors for injury or illness.
Falls: Prevention and Recovery
Fall prevention is a key focus of physiotherapy services for elderly clients, as well as teaching people the skills to get back up again from a minor fall, rather than remaining trapped on the floor for an extended period of time. Falls are the largest cause of hospitalised injuries in Australia, and over half of them involve a fracture. Almost a third of older Australians have had a fall in the last year. These falls can lead to major surgeries such as hip replacements, and months of rehabilitation.
Because falls can be so serious, fall prevention is incredibly important.
Small niggles, aches and pains become more frequent as we age, and are often dismissed as part of the ageing process. However, these issues can lead elderly people to become less active and lose essential muscle tone. This poor balance and muscle weakness increases the risk of falls.
But does it have to be this way?
By seeing a physiotherapist for a mobility assessment, older people are often surprised to find that:
- Much can be done to ease their aches and pains
- Potential problems can be picked up and addressed before they become an issue
- Simple activities and exercises can boost both their balance and strength
- A walking aid may give them increased confidence and mobility
It only seems logical that a physiotherapist is a helpful professional for reducing the likelihood and impact of falls. However, you might be surprised to learn that physiotherapists can also help with many of the chronic conditions associated with ageing.
How Physiotherapy Can Help COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that obstructs healthy airflow into the lungs, leading to difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing. It may be a result of conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, or due to long-term exposure to irritants such as smoke.
Increased breathlessness and coughing can take their toll on sufferers of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD.
While COPD can’t be cured, treatment aims to slow the progression of the disease, decrease the risk of complications, and reduce the symptoms.
In addition to medication and oxygen therapy, research has shown that physiotherapy is a vital component in managing COPD.
It is important for people with COPD to remain as physically active as possible – and a physiotherapist can provide an exercise and training program tailored to a client’s needs and the severity of their condition. Physiotherapists can also provide support with pulmonary rehabilitation.
How Physiotherapy can help Urinary Tract Infections in Seniors
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infections in older adults in Australia.
Women of any age are at a higher risk of UTIs than men, mainly due to having a shorter urethra, allowing bacteria to enter the urinary tract and cause infection. The incidence of UTIs appears to increase with age.
Research shows that people with diabetes, men with prostate problems, and long-term care residents also fall into the category of being at increased risk of UTIs.
One of the greatest concerns regarding UTIs in older people is that the classic signs such as frequency, urgency and/or pain may be absent.
Infection may also manifest in non-specific symptoms such as confusion, falls, fever and general malaise. An undiagnosed UTI can quickly lead to serious complications such as sepsis.
Physical therapy has an important part to play in preventing UTIs, as physiotherapists can help seniors with training, education, and exercises to:
- Improve the condition of their pelvic floor;
- Empty the bladder more efficiently;
- Create better bowel habits; and
- Promote full relaxation of the pelvic floor when relieving the bladder
Physiotherapy for Senior Injury Rehabilitation
While it is not the only reason to see a physiotherapist, rehabilitation from injury and surgery is still an essential service provided by physiotherapists that is of huge benefit to older adults. A physiotherapist can provide tailored rehabilitation support following surgeries such as a hip or knee replacement, and common injuries such as fractures and dislocations.
In some cases, an injury or surgery can lead to a lack of confidence, stiffness and pain, causing inactivity and deconditioning. This increases the risk of further injuries and can lead to a negative cycle of deterioration. A good physiotherapist can assist in rehabilitation to rebuild confidence, fitness and functional recovery.
Physiotherapy for strength, mobility and exercise in seniors
Even without a complication such as an injury, illness or surgery, deconditioning is a common phenomenon among older adults.
Many elderly people might find themselves unable to continue their previous activities such as their favourite sport or their gym routine. They might lack confidence and feel concerned about experiencing an injury if they undertake certain activities, not knowing what is safe or not.
This can, unfortunately, lead to a lack of activity, and only 1 in 10 Australians over 50 are exercising enough to experience a cardiovascular benefit. There is even evidence to suggest that around half of the physical decline that we notice in old age may be due to a decrease in physical activity.
This can lead to problems such as:
– Increased body weight
– Increased risk of mental illness
– Decreased flexibility
– Decreased muscle mass, coordination, and balance
A physiotherapist can break down misconceptions and address barriers to exercise for elderly people, as well as provide strategies and assistive devices to encourage exercise that minimises risk and maximises health benefits. If you or a loved one are struggling with activity in older adulthood, then we encourage you to seek a physiotherapist who can devise an individualised plan for exercise and strength training.
Physiotherapy for seniors with MS
Multiple sclerosis is a disease that causes the body to attack the protective covers of nerves, called the myelin sheath. This can make it difficult for the brain to send messages to the body and control muscles. MS may occur later in life, or symptoms may progress with age.
The symptoms of MS include:
– Tremor
– Muscle weakness
– Speech problems
– Dizziness
– Difficulty walking
– Numbness
– Vision problems
– Bowel problems
However, each person with MS is different and no two sets of symptoms will be the same. A physiotherapist can conduct an individual assessment and work as part of a multidisciplinary team to identify exercises that are helpful, achievable and that improve bodily functions. A physiotherapist can support you if you experience difficulties with mobility, stiffness, balance, rehabilitation, and fatigue.
Physiotherapy for seniors with Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) typically occurs in people over 60 and is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects nerve cells (neurons) and their ability to communicate with each other. This affects movement and can lead to tremors, rigidity, and difficulty with balance and walking.
A physiotherapist can implement particular treatment exercise routines to address the symptoms of PD, as well as assist clients to successfully exercise, which is vital to the well-being of those with the condition, slowing the progression of the disease. The earlier these habits of activity are established, the more successful they are.
Mobile Physiotherapy Services for Seniors
The overall aim of physiotherapy for seniors is to support older people not just in their desire to remain independent, but also to improve their overall health and wellbeing.
At The Brisbane Spine Clinic, we are dedicated to helping improve the quality of life of our older patients, offering a mobile physiotherapy service for seniors on the Gold Coast called Valens Care. This allows us to provide you with physiotherapy services regardless of whether you are living in your own home, a retirement village or an aged care facility.
Alternatively, you can book a consultation with one of our physiotherapists today at The Brisbane Spine Clinic at either our North Lakes or Eight Mile Plains locations.
We will work with you to identify your medical history, ability, skills, confidence and goals. Then our friendly and passionate physiotherapists will work together with you to develop a treatment and exercise plan that you are confident in.
You deserve to feel fit, confident and comfortable in your body – at every age.
