Geriatric Physiotherapist

Questions

• WHAT IS GERIATRIC PHYSIOTHERAPY?

  A vast range of issues pertaining to the elderly are addressed by geriatric physiotherapy. Senior citizens are susceptible to a wide range of illnesses, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, hip and joint replacement, balance issues, incontinence, etc. Physiotherapists that specialize in treating such illnesses and disorders are known as geriatric specialists. Physiotherapists are essential in helping senior citizens maximize the usage of several bodily systems to improve their mobility and independence. Physiotherapists have the ability to positively impact older adults by promoting comfort and reducing discomfort. Three categories are used to classify the diverse issue types seen in geriatric physiotherapy.

  Issues arising from the patient's simple lack of limb usage or exercise falls under one group. Reconditioning using range-of-motion exercises and other activities can help with these issues.

  Heart disease and stroke are examples of cardiovascular diseases that are addressed by geriatric physiotherapy. The physiotherapist can work with these issues with a variety of instruments at her disposal. You can utilize electrical stimulation, exercise, water treatment, and more.

  Skeletal issues fall under the third group. Individuals with various conditions, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, benefit from geriatric physiotherapy. Given that osteoporosis renders patients more fragile and that osteoarthritis is excruciatingly painful, these issues demand particular care.

• HOW DOES IT WORK?

  The physiotherapist, who is a qualified specialist, assists with the operation. The senior patient will receive instruction from the physiotherapist in global exercises and active techniques, which will help them learn new body motions and improve their physical and mental equilibrium. There are now three methods that geriatric physiotherapy can be used: hydrotherapy, mechanotherapy, and kinesiotherapy (biomechanical motions). Elderly patients get care similar to that of any other patient, which includes a medical or surgical phase of therapy followed by a referral to a physiotherapist who will examine the patient further to determine the best course of action. Their rehabilitation program will be quite different based on a number of factors, including the ailment itself, the patient's mental state, their family and home environment, and their past medical history. In order to assess the home environment for people with dementia, mobility impairments, or a history of falls, a physiotherapist is crucial.

  Instead than trying to force their beliefs on you, your therapist here will work with you to develop changes that will maximize your safety and freedom while still feeling comfortable. In the context of geriatric care, a physiotherapist would employ conventional methods such as strengthening exercises and hydrotherapy to restore mobility. For instance, since falls are a big problem for the elderly, focus is put on balance and posture corrections to reduce the likelihood of more falls, which can result in serious injuries. Elderly patients benefit greatly from hydrotherapy as well since it relieves unnecessary tension from joints that are more vulnerable to injury.

• WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS TREATED BY GERIATRIC PHYSIOTHERAPY?

  Musculoskeletal issues, mental disease, incontinence, diminished senses, balance issues, chronic pain, and lack of sleep are among the common symptoms associated with aging. All of these conditions have been successfully managed or cured by physiotherapy treatments. What physiotherapy may provide the realm of geriatrics is as follows. What ailments do geriatric physiotherapists treat?

  Joint Pain
  Your body's joints hold weight, join bones, and support you as you move. Joint pain is typically brought on by trauma, inflammation of the joint lining, gout, hemarthrosis, arthritis, and STDs. Long-term untreated joint pain can limit movement and cause weakness or instability that makes it difficult to carry out daily tasks. The most effective treatment for reducing joint pain and enhancing joint stability is geriatric physiotherapy.

  Generalized Weakness
  After a certain age, one of the most prevalent problems that practically everyone encounters is generalized weakness. Degenerative changes that accompany aging, such as stiff joints and reduced muscle tone, are among its characteristics. The existence of additional chronic illnesses including musculoskeletal, neurological, or endocrine difficulties exacerbates this even more. Flu, thyroid disorders, anemia, melancholy, sleep deprivation, undetected diabetes, congestive heart failure, and adverse drug reactions are a few typical reasons of widespread weakness. The goal of geriatric physiotherapy is to assist patients regain their physical stability and strength, which enhances their quality of life.

  Postural Instability
  The difficulty to stay in an upright posture is known as postural instability. Put another way, the inability to keep an upright posture results from imbalance and the lack of righting reflexes. Exercises for balance, which are part of geriatric physiotherapy, can help patients regain their normal condition and improve postural instability.

  Balance Impairment
  The lack of normal function in the muscles and bones of the elderly causes deterioration in their balance. Orthostatic hypotension and arthritis are the most prevalent causes of it. Other variables that might impair balance include the use of several medications, circulation issues, numbness in the feet and legs, and vision issues. Exercises for balance are part of the geriatric physiotherapy treatment plan, which aims to enhance bone and muscular function.

• WHO WILL BENEFIT?

  Geriatric physiotherapy is a tried-and-true method that helps senior citizens maintain their level of activity during their later years by strengthening their bodies, increasing their mobility, and boosting their self-confidence. Nonetheless, geriatric physiotherapy does not always attempt to get people back to their pre-disease levels. Being able to perform to the best of one's skills is the main objective. Getting things done and leading a free life are important qualities. Moreover, geriatric physiotherapy can significantly impact an individual's capacity to get pleasure from physical pursuits. A popular pastime among seniors is golf. If an aged person is not fit enough to participate, it might be a very dangerous sport for them. It also offers a host of health advantages.

  A senior's physical fitness for activities like golf might be the main goal of geriatric physiotherapy. They get several benefits from this. Their physical and mental well-being will improve even more since it enables them to play golf. Elderly people are becoming more and more depressed, thus any assistance in this area is really required. Geriatric physiotherapy also plays a role in aiding in the healing process following hip or knee replacement surgery. It's conceivable that people who have these surgeries will walk differently. It has an impact on their quality of life and their capacity to do everyday tasks.