What is Geriatric Physiotherapy

Geriatric physiotherapy is a specialized area of physiotherapy that focuses on the assessment and treatment of older adults with physical impairments, disabilities, or age-related conditions. The goal of geriatric physiotherapy is to promote mobility, independence, and quality of life in older adults.

There are several types of geriatric physiotherapy, including:

Orthopedic physiotherapy: This involves the assessment and treatment of conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, or joint replacement surgery.

Neurological physiotherapy: This involves the assessment and treatment of conditions that affect the nervous system, such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or dementia.

Cardiovascular and respiratory physiotherapy: This involves the assessment and treatment of conditions that affect the heart and lungs, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, or postoperative cardiac surgery.

Falls prevention: This involves the assessment and treatment of older adults at risk of falling, including balance and gait training, home modifications, and education on fall prevention strategies.

Palliative care: This involves the assessment and management of symptoms in older adults with life-limiting illnesses, such as cancer, dementia, or end-stage heart failure.

When to See a Geriatric Physiotherapist

It is recommended to see a geriatric physiotherapist if you are an older adult and are experiencing physical impairments, disabilities, or age-related conditions that affect your mobility, function, or quality of life. Here are some situations where you may benefit from seeing a geriatric physiotherapist:

After a fall or injury: If you have had a fall or injury that has affected your mobility or independence, a geriatric physiotherapist can help you regain your strength and function.

After a hospitalization: If you have been hospitalized for a medical condition or surgery, a geriatric physiotherapist can help you recover your physical function and prevent complications such as muscle weakness or falls.

After a diagnosis of a chronic condition: If you have been diagnosed with a chronic condition such as arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, or COPD, a geriatric physiotherapist can provide you with exercises and strategies to manage your symptoms and maintain your function.

If you are experiencing pain or stiffness: If you are experiencing pain or stiffness in your joints, muscles, or back, a geriatric physiotherapist can provide you with exercises and techniques to manage your pain and improve your mobility.

If you are experiencing difficulty with balance or walking: If you are experiencing difficulty with balance or walking, a geriatric physiotherapist can provide you with exercises and techniques to improve your balance and reduce your risk of falls.

Overall, a geriatric physiotherapist can help older adults maintain their physical function, independence, and quality of life. If you are experiencing any physical impairments or disabilities related to aging, it is recommended to consult with a geriatric physiotherapist to discuss your treatment options.

Geriatric physiotherapy is a valuable treatment option for older adults, as it can help them maintain or improve their physical function, reduce pain, and improve their overall quality of life. A geriatric physiotherapist can work with older adults in a variety of settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and in the community.

How to prevent pain in elderly people

For older persons, safe pain management options like geriatric rehabilitation physiotherapy are always available. Most adults will experience discomfort as a normal part of ageing and won’t disclose their issues to others. To get quick pain relief, however, it is imperative to see a doctor.

Even if there are countless painkillers that are safe for elderly patients, doctors will take extra care when administering drugs. Stretching and simple general exercises can, however, keep discomfort at bay, so that elderly people won’t even need to turn to drugs as a treatment. Hence, some methods for preventing discomfort include daily exercise, consuming wholesome foods, and staying hydrated.

Geriatric Physiotherapy Treatments

Learn about the various treatment modalities before calling a neurological physiotherapist for assistance. They are typically combined with a number of the treatments listed below, as follows:

Geriatric physical therapy

This therapy specializes in aging adults’ needs and will help treat conditions like cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, joint replacement, and balance disorders. It comes with specialized programs.

Orthopaedic physical therapy in Geriatric physiotherapy:

Here, the therapist helps in treating injuries to the musculoskeletal system and recovering from orthopedic surgeries.

Cardiopulmonary physical therapy in Geriatric physiotherapy

When someone has cardiovascular or pulmonary issues, such as a heart attack, this therapy is excellent for boosting endurance and functional independence.

Neurological physical therapy in Geriatric physiotherapy

The body and brain continue to be the key topics here. Patients with neurological diseases like Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and other conditions can benefit from it.

A number of locations, including hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, and in-home settings, are available for the provision of geriatric physiotherapy. Exercises to increase mobility, flexibility, and strength may also be a part of the treatment, along with balance and gait training. To help elders maintain their freedom, geriatric physical therapy may also incorporate assistive tools, such as canes, walkers, and wheelchairs, in addition to conventional physical therapy approaches.

Seniors should keep up their busy lifestyles and get medical help if they notice any changes in their physical capabilities. Seniors might benefit from geriatric physiotherapy to enhance their quality of life and keep their independence as they age .

Related Conditions

Apart from relieving older adults from pain, Geriatric Physiotherapists can help to treat other neurological issues, orthopedic conditions, and muscle pains among individuals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions do geriatricians treat?

Geriatricians might help manage the following:

• dementia and other cognitive problems
• problems with mobility and frailty
• incontinence
• medicines
• other medical issues

They could also put together a management or healthcare plan to keep you as healthy and independent as possible.

How do I find a geriatrician near me?

Ask your doctor, close friends, or family to recommend a good geriatrician. You can also take the help of search engines to find a geriatrician near you.