Geriatric Physiotherapy

What is Geriatric Physiotherapy?

The body’s ability to function decreases with age. The wear and tear of the various body systems over the years give rise to degenerative changes in the body structure. Thus, leading to reduced eyesight, and hearing, painful joints, wasted and weak muscles, brittle bones, reduced flexibility, stiff joints, uncoordinated movement, reduced endurance, slow and awkward walking patterns leading to repeated falls. There is difficulty in carrying out daily routine activities like putting on clothes, bathing, toileting,
working in the kitchen, going shopping or even for entertainment. Uneven roads outside, over-crowding, noise-pollution, traffic, rains increase the fear of falling in the elderly.

Physiotherapists have a key role in enabling the elderly to minimize the impairments, build up their existing potential to enhance mobility and independence for Indoor/ Community living. They are also advised on care at home, changes in the home and use of cane / walker and other mobility aids.

Physiotherapists have a key role in enabling the elderly by minimizing the impairments, building up their existing potential to enhance mobility and independence for Indoor/ Community living.

Geriatric physiotherapy:

reduces pain
improves muscle strength and muscle mass
improves cardiovascular endurance and ability to do work
maintains joint flexibility
improves posture
improves bone density
reduces breathing problems
improves balance and neuromuscular coordination and reduces “risk of falls”
improves independence in functional activities and moving outdoors.

… and much more!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does a Physiotherapist plan a treatment?

A Physiotherapist’s approach to treatment is to treat a ‘person’ rather than “just a body part”.

A Physiotherapist will assess you and make a need-based personalised treatment plan depending on your medical diagnosis, health condition, body mechanics , your existing functions, activities and functional needs at home, workplace and outdoors. The treatment plan includes scientific and evidence-based techniques and a home exercise program which will be customised as per your unique situation, needs and goals.

Is a Doctor's prescription needed prior to Physiotherapy?

Very often Doctors refer the patients for Physiotherapy. Prescription is necessary, especially for post Stroke, Myocardial infarctions, inflammatory disorder, infections, post operative cases, fractures etc. to ensure that the patient is medically stable and can be mobilised.

In case the patient consults a Physiotherapist directly, the Physiotherapist will do a thorough physical examination, diagnosis and guide the patient, and refer to the appropriate medical speciality as necessary. A Physiotherapist is part of the Medical team. They work closely with the Doctors.

Ensure to carry your prior investigations, medical records, discharge summary etc. with you for your consultation.

What is the duration of each session?

This will depend on the type of your health condition. Some may take as less as 15 minutes to some up to 45 min and sometimes even longer for patients with multiple issues.

How many sessions/days of Physiotherapy will I need to take?

This will depend on your health condition. A simple sprain of muscle spasm may be treated in 1-2 sessions whereas conditions like post fractures/ surgery, Stroke, spinal cord injury, respiratory cases may require many more sessions. Your Physiotherapist will be able to guide you.

However, please remember that there will be certain exercises, change of work style habits, Do’s and Dont’s that your Physiotherapist will advise you which you have to carry out routinely for prevention and recurrence of symptoms.