Who may benefit from geriatric rehabilitation?

Some of us are lucky enough to age with few difficulties. Though, if you’re part of the majority who have more physical struggles as they age, you should look into geriatric therapy.

Geriatric therapy is a term for a broad physical therapy practice that is centralized around the treatment of elderly patients. It’s important for seniors to find a physical therapist who specializes in geriatric therapy when they are injured or hurt because seniors have different needs than younger adults. 

Thirty percent of our patients at Peak Performance Sports and Physical Therapy are over the age of 60. Because of this, we make sure our team has years of training and experience in working with these patients to help improve their quality of lives. 

Who can benefit from geriatric rehabilitation?

You may have questions about geriatric therapy and whether it’s right for you if you’re over the age of 60. In short, geriatric therapy offers something that can benefit all seniors whether you’ve been injured or not. Below are a few of the common reasons we see people for geriatric therapy:

• Arthritis — Physical therapists can guide you through stretches, exercises and other techniques that can help improve your strength and flexibility. This can help reduce joint pain and improve your range of motion.
• Balance and coordination — Falling as a senior is risky because your bones may be more brittle and prone to injury from impact. Physical therapists can help improve your balance and coordination to reduce your chances of falling and getting hurt.
• Stroke recovery — The majority of stroke patients are over the age of 65. A stroke can cause neurological damage that makes tasks that use to be simple much more challenging. Geriatric therapy may help restore your ability to live independently after a stroke.
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation — Seniors who have a condition or injury that requires surgery for treatment can still benefit from physical therapy. Your physical therapist can help you prepare for your surgery and recover afterward to recover at a faster pace.

Contact Peak Performance Sports and Physical Therapy for geriatric therapy

Physical therapists can also help seniors learn how to safely use assistive devices, such as crutches, walkers or canes. Are you a senior who would like help in improving your quality of life or recovering from an injury? Contact us today to find out what our physical therapists can offer you.