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Restore Your Independence
Age-related physiological changes can significantly impact an older adult’s ability to maintain independence. Many of our physical therapists have extensive training and experience in geriatric rehabilitative medicine and research.
Age Gracefully with Specialized Physical Therapy
Growing older is inevitable but the right level of assistance can help you navigate common changes, including stiff joints, gait issues and muscle loss. About 70 million Americans aged 50 and older also live with at least one chronic condition, like diabetes or heart disease.
Physical therapy can give you the strength and agility to keep moving, maintain your quality of life and, if applicable, recover from surgery. In the long term, preserving your independence can help you manage falls and issues with standing or using stairs. If your doctor has recommended seeing a physical therapist, here’s what you can expect during your sessions at Integrated Rehab.
What Is Geriatric Physical Therapy?
This subdiscipline of physical therapy helps older adults manage a range of age-related changes, such as decreased muscle strength, bone density, coordination and reaction time, as well as vision and cognitive changes.
Rebuilding strength can benefit your body on multiple levels by:
- Preserving your muscles and bones
- Increasing joint flexibility
- Slowing muscle atrophy
- Lowering fall injury risks
- Moving more naturally and comfortably
- Ensuring you can stand, dress yourself, use stairs, cook and clean with minimal assistance
Geriatric physical therapy often overlaps with other specialized areas of care, for example:
- Physical Therapy for Neurological Conditions: This can involve managing brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, stroke recovery or multiple sclerosis.
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Typically recommended after a heart attack or heart surgery to rebuild strength and endurance.
- Occupational Therapy: Aims to preserve fine motor skills and help individuals adapt to everyday activities and routines.
During Your Sessions
If you’ve had physical therapy before, geriatric physical therapy will likely feel familiar. During each session, you’ll learn exercises designed to improve strength, balance, and flexibility. These include:
- Mobility stretches targeting the lower back, hamstrings and hips
- Endurance training to improve circulation and preserve lung health
- Leg-strengthening exercises
- Balance exercises
In most cases, very little equipment is needed. Aside from stationary bikes and treadmills for endurance training, you will primarily rely on your body weight, light weights and resistance bands.
Benefits of Physical Therapy for Seniors
How can geriatric physical therapy improve your mobility, dexterity and overall lifestyle? Through targeted exercises and personalized care, it may:
- Help you walk and move around with greater ease.
- Reduce your need for assistance with cooking, doing laundry and cleaning.
- Provide guidance on how to stay active without straining or injuring your body.
- Build strength and agility that can help protect you during a fall and minimize injuries.
- Offer a medication-free way to manage pain related to arthritis, nerve disorders and muscle conditions.
- Promote healing and faster recovery following surgery or an illness, including better management of inflammation.
- Introduce mobility exercises to improve balance and strength, which could also help manage symptoms of chronic conditions like Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia and heart disease.
Schedule an Appointment
Searching for a geriatric physical therapist in Connecticut? Our team is ready to support you during this next stage of life.
To learn more about our services, contact Integrated Rehab today.