Physiotherapy For Elderly At Home

Mobility is one of the biggest privileges anyone can have, especially during the golden years. Physiotherapy is the key to maintaining mobility as it helps keep many age-related health issues, like arthritis, balance disorders, muscle weakness, etc. under control. Physiotherapy is often perceived as a recovery strategy to bounce back after falls or surgeries. However, when it comes to the elderly, it can be used as a technique to avoid accidents and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses. Physiotherapy can be classified as a proactive care method rather than a reactive care method in this case. 

Primus Senior Living offers customised physiotherapy for the elderly at home individually and in groups as a proactive method to help them maintain good health, prevent illnesses and improve the quality of their lives. This way, our seniors could move around without hassles and have a social life with no concerns. The geriatric physiotherapy exercises are designed for every senior according to their health requirement. As already mentioned, these exercises can be done at home or during our daily group sessions with the physiotherapy machines available on campus. 

Significance Of Taking Physiotherapy Exercises At Home

Seniors, due to many factors like illnesses, mobility constraints, travel constraints, or dependencies, might find it difficult to go to a clinic or a centre for physiotherapy sessions. This doesn't mean they shouldn't be doing it. As we age, we start experiencing a decline in muscle strength, bone density, and joint flexibility. As much as these issues are natural, they can also be controlled to a great extent with a proper physiotherapy regime.

Seniors who do physiotherapy regularly are more prone to mitigating these problems, as physiotherapy, in general, includes exercises and techniques that improve mobility, balance, and overall physical function. On top of that, seniors who have chronic conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular diseases, can keep their pain under control, improve their range of motion, and enhance overall physical strength with a personalised physiotherapy regime.

Benefits Of Geriatric Physiotherapy Exercises

Below are a few notable perks we have seen in the seniors who regularly practice geriatric physiotherapy exercises in our communities.

• Improved Muscle And Body Strength: Physiotherapy includes exercises that not only train the seniors to strengthen their joints but also help them understand how and where to use this strength. It helps in maintaining the core balance which is crucial to avoid falls.

• Better Heart Health: Exercise plays a major role in keeping your heart healthy. It is not just about preventing cardiac diseases but it is also about managing and treating the cardiac diseases. Physiotherapy helps reduce the possibility of strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, etc.

• Prevention From Falls: Lack of stability and coordination due to weaker bones, muscles, and joints are common among seniors. This makes them extremely susceptible to the risk of falls which can cause severe injuries like fractures or head trauma. Physiotherapists craft customised plans with exercises that focus on balance training and coordination to help them maintain their stability, reducing the risk of falls.

• Improved Mobility and Independence: Regular physiotherapy exercises can significantly enhance seniors' ability to perform daily activities independently. Leg strengthening exercises, in particular, can greatly improve mobility and reduce the risk of falls in older adults.

• Independence And Sense Of Freedom: Seniors, as they age, might find it difficult to carry out simple daily activities such as getting out of bed, walking, or climbing stairs because of mobility issues. This can make them feel like a liability. As physiotherapy exercises can keep seniors physically healthy, they help them carry out simple activities without help or assistance giving them a sense of independence and freedom.

• Pain Management: Physiotherapy includes effective pain management techniques like gentle stretching, massage, range-of-motion movements, etc. that can ease the pain caused by underlying age-related chronic illnesses.

• Overall Physical And Mental Health: Seniors who can comfortably move around without the help of others are more likely to have a happening social life. Mobility, strength, and flexibility aid towards overall fitness and stamina. In short, seniors could have a better quality of life with better physical, mental, and emotional wellness with the help of regular physiotherapy.

The perks of doing geriatric physiotherapy exercises at home can be more convenient as in the comfort of their homes, people tend to have a better experience than at a clinic. Primus Senior Living has in-house physiotherapists who craft personalised physiotherapy exercises at home for you. We also have equipped gyms with physiotherapy machines that can be availed by seniors at any time of the day.

Physiotherapy Exercises At Home For Seniors

Although there isn't a one-size-fits-all regime for physiotherapy, below are a few common exercises every senior can follow to improve their mobility, strength, and balance.

1. Improve Flexibility And Endurance: It is important to include stretching exercises like seated hamstring stretches, overhead arm stretches, and calf stretches to boost overall flexibility and endurance by loosening tight muscles and tendons.

2. Build Muscle And Bone Strength: Strength training is the best to maintain or build muscle mass and bone density. This can be performed with or without light weights. The common and easy strength training exercises include bicep curls, wall push-ups, chair squats, and leg raises.

3. Better Balance And Coordination: These geriatric physiotherapy exercises help in reducing the risk of falls. Exercises that would help seniors build overall stability include single-leg stands, heel-to-toe walks, standing marches, and Tai Chi.

4. Breathing Exercises: Incorporating breathing exercises can significantly improve lung health and overall well-being in seniors.

5. Range of Motions Exercises: Performing daily tasks wouldn't be tiring and arduous if the seniors regularly do range-of-motion exercises like ankle circles, wrist flexion and extension, shoulder shrugs, and knee extensions

It is important to consult a physiotherapist before you make a physiotherapy exercise regime for you at home. This is why Primus Senior Living always has one at your disposal. With the advice of a physiotherapist, seniors could enjoy the perks of private physiotherapy at home and effectively improve their physical health and quality of life in ways beyond imagination. Check out our website to find more information about Primus Senior Living Homes! We have senior-friendly living homes all across India.

FAQs

1. Is it safe for seniors to do physiotherapy exercises at home?

Yes. It is safe to do physiotherapy exercises at home, after consulting a physiotherapist or a doctor. It is important to ensure exercises are suitable for the senior's health condition

2. Does Primus Senior Living have an in-house doctor or physiotherapist?

Yes. We have a doctor, a physiotherapist, and nurses available on campus. A senior will be provided with top-notch medical care around the clock

3. Which is better? At-home physiotherapy or at-clinic physiotherapy?

Although it all narrows down to personal preferences, at-home physiotherapy is better as you get a one-on-one, personalised treatment at home

4. Is private physiotherapy at home optional or mandatory for seniors?

For seniors who want a better quality of life and prefer to keep age-related health concerns at bay, physiotherapy is mandatory

5. Are there any social benefits to participating in group physiotherapy sessions?
Yes, group physiotherapy sessions can provide valuable social interaction for seniors, which is crucial for mental health and overall well-being