Aged care physio improves your quality of life and eases pain and discomfort. It restores function and improves mobility enabling you to live an active independent life.
Aged care physio provides support and care pre and post surgery. It’s also important in the treatment for conditions of the nervous system.
As you age your body doesn’t function how it used to and actions you took for granted don’t work the same. You may not be as strong, quick or flexible.
Physiotherapy can help. Tasks that require strength, flexibility and balance can be made easier. Improving your overall fitness can give you the confidence to resume regular activities.
Loss of strength and flexibility
You are at greater risk of fractures and breaks as you age as your bone density declines. A simple fall can result in a break which can lead to further complications.
Aged care physio can work on strengthening your muscles through exercise and flexibility can be restored through stretching.
This makes every-day tasks easier such as :
- reaching in high cupboards
- lifting a heavy kettle
- pushing out of a chair
- getting out of bed
- opening a jar or bottle
- answering the phone or door in time
- using your leg strength to prevent a fall
A treatment plan should work on strengthening your weaknesses to help with day-to-day activities. It should restore loss of function and improve your mobility.
Loss of balance
Balance is an important part of our daily lives. We take it for granted until we start having balance problems.
Balance can be affected by neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s or a stroke. Leg or foot injuries and amputations can also affect your balance. As can certain medications.
Combining loss of balance with strength and power, can lead to a serious fall. A fall can lead to loss of confidence and independence.
Aged care physio includes fall prevention exercises and balance work. We want to prevent injuries and further complications from happening in the first place.
Aged care physio includes looking at obstacles in your home to make manoeuvring around easier.
Assessment and education is given on the correct use of mobility aids. Aids such as walking frames and sticks greatly help independent living. As do aids in parts of the home such as the kitchen and bathroom.
Working on joint and muscle pain
Osteoarthritis causes pain in the affected joint mostly occuring in the knees, hips, hands and big toe.
It can be managed through medicine and physiotherapy treatment. Specific exercise programs, massage and heat can give relief.
Osteoporosis is when bones become porous. It causes thinning of the bones, especially in women. The risk of osteoporosis becomes greater as we age.
Aged care physio includes weight baring exercise. This is important for keeping bones strong and preventing bone loss. Strong bones help prevent fractures and breaks.
Joint and muscle pain can be treated by :
- mobilisation
- hydrotherapy with the use of water
- thermotherapy through heat
- cryotherapy through ice packs and gels
- massage of specific nerves and muscles
- reflexology of the feet
Easing back and neck stiffness
Muscle stiffness can be reduced through active exercise. Use of heat packs and massage can then relax the muscle and ease pain.
Helping clients with respiratory difficulties
Respiratory lung conditions can include asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Treatment includes active cycle breathing techniques and sputum clearance.
If you want to know more about how Stay Active Physiotherapy can help you