0505050387
0505050387
Published on: 10th December 2023
Medically reviewed by: Physiotherapist at First Response Healthcare
Medically reviewed by: Physiotherapist at First Response Healthcare
Geriatric physiotherapy, also known as physiotherapy for the elderly or aged care physiotherapy, plays a key role in improving the quality of life of the elderly. As people age, their physical abilities often decline, leading to various health problems and reduced independence. Appropriate exercise programs are a fundamental part of geriatric physiotherapy, helping older adults maintain mobility, manage chronic diseases, and improve overall health. This blog will take you through the importance of personalized exercise programs in geriatric physiotherapy, highlighting its role in promoting physical, psychological, and social well-being in elderly individuals.
What Can Tailored Exercise Programs in Geriatric Physiotherapy Help With?
Physiological Changes Associated With Aging
- Loss Of Muscle Mass: Sarcopenia, an age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, is of great concern. Appropriate exercise programs that incorporate resistance training to deal with this decline, help older adults maintain muscle mass and functional strength.
- Decreased Bone Density: Osteoporosis becomes more common with age, thus increasing the risk of fractures. Weight-bearing exercises, an essential part of geriatric physiotherapy programs, help promote bone health and reduce the risk of fractures.
- Cardiovascular Changes: The cardiovascular system undergoes changes such as decreased efficiency of the heart and hardening of the blood vessels. Appropriate exercise programs in aged care physiotherapy incorporate aerobic exercise to improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, and improve circulation.
- Flexibility And Balance: Reduced flexibility and balance can lead to falls and injuries. Geriatric physiotherapy uses stretching exercises and balance training to address these issues and reduce the risk of falls.
Helps Maintain Mobility & Independence
Exercise programs, as a part of physiotherapy for elderly at home, play a central role in maintaining mobility and independence by:
- Helping Build Muscle: Strength training exercises target key muscle groups, allowing older adults to perform tasks like getting up from a chair, climbing stairs, and running errands without assistance.
- Improve Joint Function: Mobility exercises, including gentle stretching, help maintain joint range of motion, thus reducing the risk of stiffness and pain.
- Promoting Functional Movements: Exercises are designed to simulate everyday activities, allowing older adults to maintain the ability to perform essential tasks such as dressing, grooming and cooking.
Management Of Chronic Diseases
Geriatric physiotherapists recognize the prevalence of chronic diseases in older adults and respond with the following:
- Help With Pain Control: For conditions like arthritis, tailored exercise programs as a part of physiotherapy for elderly focus on joint mobility and pain relief. Exercise releases endorphins, which can help relieve discomfort.
- Help Control Blood Sugar: For older adults with diabetes, regular physical activity can improve insulin sensitivity and help control blood sugar.
- Prevention Of Cardiovascular Diseases: Tailor-made programs include exercises that promote heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Management Of Osteoporosis: Weight-bearing and resistance training exercises are incorporated into programs to strengthen bones and reduce the effects of osteoporosis.
Fall Prevention
Tailored exercise programs as a part of aged care physiotherapy help with fall prevention the following ways:
- Improve Balance And Coordination: Physio for elderly involves exercises specifically designed to challenge balance and improve coordination help reduce the risk of falls, which is a major concern for older adults.
- Strengthen The Muscles In The Lower Body: Strong leg muscles are essential for stability, and in physio for elderly they create exercises that target these areas and can greatly reduce the risk of falls.
- Build Trust: As older adults gain strength and balance, they become more confident in their ability to move safely and independently, reducing anxiety related to falls.
Improves Heart Health
Heart health is essential for older adults, and physiotherapy for elderly can help with the same in the following ways:
- Aerobic Exercises: Tailor-made physio for elderly programs incorporate aerobic activities such as walking, swimming, or cycling to improve cardiovascular health, reduce heart disease risk, and improve overall endurance.
- Hypertension: Regular exercise can help lower blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart problems.
- Increases Stamina: Older adults who participate in cardiovascular exercise will find it easier to perform daily activities and participate in social and community events.
Physio for elderly Prevents Muscle Atrophy And Weakness
- Resistance Training: Custom exercise programs, as a part of geriatric physiotherapy, often include resistance exercises that use straps, weights, or body weights to build and maintain muscle mass.
- Functional Strength: Physio for elderly exercises simulate daily movements, helping the elderly to be more active and independent in daily life.
- Reduces The Risk Of Injury: Stronger muscles and better balance reduce the risk of injuries, fractures, and falls.
Psychological Benefits
The right exercise programs provide significant psychological benefits through the following:
- Helps Improve Mood: Exercise releases neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which have been linked to improved mood and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Raise Awareness: Physical activity has been linked to better cognitive function, including memory and problem-solving abilities, which can help older adults maintain mental sharpness.
- Social Involvement: Group exercise sessions provide opportunities for social interaction, thus reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.
- Sense Of Accomplishment: Participating in exercise programs, even small ones, promotes feelings of accomplishment and self-esteem in older adults.
Long-Term Health And Quality Of Life
Tailored exercise programs promote long-term health in the following ways:
- Healthy Aging: Physiotherapy for elderly helps older people maintain their physical and mental health as they age, allowing them to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.
- Independence: By addressing mobility, strength, and balance, exercise programs allow older adults to maintain independence and continue to participate in their communities.
- Prevention: Regular exercise reduces the risk of chronic diseases, potentially extending an individual’s lifespan and improving overall health outcomes.
Customizable For Individual Needs
Individual training programs are effective because they are personalized. Here’s what help them be so effective:
- Evaluation: Geriatric physiotherapists perform a comprehensive assessment that takes into account an individual’s physical condition, medical history, and personal goals.
- Protection: Personalization ensures exercises are safe, depending on existing health conditions, injuries or limitations.
- Evolution: As an individual’s fitness level improves, the geriatric physiotherapy program can be adjusted to further challenge them appropriately, thereby avoiding stagnation and encouraging continuous improvement.
What Are The Benefits Of Physiotherapy For Elderly At Home?
- Comfort And Convenience: Elderly people can be cared for in a familiar environment, making them more comfortable.
- Ongoing Care: Having physiotherapy for elderly at home allows for consistent care even when mobility or transport is limited, ensuring exercise programs are followed regularly.
- Personal Space: Appropriate exercise programs can be adapted to the space and equipment available at home, making it convenient for the elderly.
Physiotherapy for elderly, with its emphasis on appropriate exercise programs, plays an important role in improving the health of the elderly. These physiotherapy for seniors program address the physiological changes associated with aging, promote mobility and independence, manage chronic disease, and provide many psychological benefits.
By tailoring exercise programs of physiotherapy for seniors to individual needs and preferences, physiotherapists help older adults lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. Additionally, the shift to physiotherapy for elderly at home is making these services more accessible and convenient for older people, supporting their long-term health and quality of life. In an aging society, the importance of appropriate exercise programs in geriatric physiotherapy cannot be underestimated. They are fundamental in promoting the physical, psychological and social well-being of the elderly.
Physiotherapy For Elderly At Home In Dubai | First Response Healthcare
First Response Healthcare (FRH) is a leading home healthcare company in Dubai providing a range of medical services at your doorstep, including the service of geriatric physiotherapy at home. FRH has received the Gold Seal of approval from the Joint Commission International for its high-quality services. FRH has a team of licensed, trained and experienced physiotherapists who can help with physiotherapy for elderly at home at any location in Dubai. Our services are available 24*7 and you can book an appointment with us on any day of the week, including weekends and public holidays.
Why Should You Choose FRH For Geriatric Physiotherapy At Home?
- Flexible Appointments: You can book an appointment with us for physiotherapy for seniors at any time that suits you, since our service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even on weekends and holidays.
- Fast Services: We can reach you within 30-45 minutes after you book an appointment with us.
- Location Of Your Choice: We cover the entire Emirate of Dubai and can come to any location in Dubai. We can come to your home, hotel or office to provide aged care physiotherapy.
- Personalized Services: Our physiotherapy for seniors services can be customized for your comfort and convenience and we can create a tailored plan for you based on your needs.
- Individual Attention: Our physiotherapists take the time to listen and understand your needs, requirements and expectations before proceeding with physical therapy.
- Communicated Recovery Process: We make sure to share progress reports with you on a regular basis to keep you updated on your recovery and growth.
- Relationship-Based Therapy: Our physiotherapists take the time to build a rapport with you to ensure that you are comfortable.
The aged care physiotherapy plan offered by the FRH includes:
- Strength Training
- Balance Training
- Massage And Therapeutic Exercises
- Correct Muscle Imbalance
- Posture Correction
- Neurodevelopmental Therapy
To book an appointment for physiotherapy for elderly at home in Dubai, you can call 0505050387 or 800DIALDOC. You can also book an appointment on our website: Website
