It’s a good idea for older adults to find ways to stay fit and active after retirement, and participating in general exercise is an excellent way to start. After all, activity forms a significant part of healthy living for individuals of all ages.
Hence, we would encourage all older individuals to engage in physical activities independently, in group classes or at fitness centers. Going to the gym regularly to exercise is one of the best ways for older folks to maintain their physical health.
Physiotherapy clinics are also a great alternative to regular fitness gyms. They are a healthier option for older adults to engage in physical activities because they offer healthcare professionals direct supervision and care.
We are fully committed to ensuring our residents enjoy a fun-filled life after retirement at Seasons Retirement. We encourage all members of our residences to stay active by providing an enabling environment to engage in healthful activities and physical exercises.
In this article, we will define and describe physiotherapy exercises while emphasizing their importance to the health of older adults.
Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, is one of several branches of medical and clinical practice. It involves enhancing or restoring the health of various individuals, using physical examination, diagnosis, prognosis, rehabilitation, physical intervention, disease prevention, and so on.
With the above definition, it’s easy to understand that physiotherapy exercises are physical procedures employed in replenishing and improving the physical well-being of people of all ages. These activities enhance circulation, reduce muscle spasms, promote muscle strength, and ensure the body functions optimally.
Interestingly, the beauty of physical therapy, especially physiotherapy for seniors, lies in the full involvement of trained medical professionals, who are tasked with planning a healthy exercise routine for your older one.
Before your loved one begins physiotherapy, their physical therapist should perform a physical evaluation to form a provisional diagnosis. Using this diagnosis, the medical professional can adequately design an exercise plan for your older one.
Physiotherapy exercises tackle numerous physical health issues. This explains why they are divided into various forms and categories. Some physical health activities include resistance workouts, stretching exercises, and strengthening drills.
As inferred earlier, many believe that physiotherapy is only for individuals who carry out strenuous physical activities – but that’s not true. In reality, physical therapy is also essential for people who only want to prevent injuries and maintain peak physical condition.
Having established that physiotherapy is ideal for everybody, we are going to highlight some peculiar advantages of physio for seniors, and these benefits include:
True, one cannot overemphasize the importance of regular exercise to your older one’s overall health. Your parents or grandparents must take care to work out correctly. This is because; while routine exercise offers countless health benefits, it can also pose a health risk when carried out wrongly.
Fortunately, physical therapy exercises provide a solution whereby older folks can also choose to work out under the supervised care of a physician. Should they opt for this, it can help them reap the maximum benefits from keeping fit.
While physiotherapy has its bedrock in medicine, it has some branches in social science. In essence, it offers a top-notch social experience for older adults.
Your loved one would walk into the physio clinic with high energy, knowing that they will meet and communicate with a health professional committed to assisting them in reaching their health and fitness goals.
Physical therapy for seniors is particularly famous for enhancing their physical strength and boosting their balance. So, if your loved one engages in a supervised exercise routine, their stamina and stability will improve, reducing their risk of falling or slipping.
It is not abnormal for you to feel pain from time and time, and the same goes for your parents or grandparents. Nonetheless, it is not okay for your older one to ignore or trivialize any discomfort they feel.
From lower back to joint pain, body discomfort is often caused by tight muscles, insufficient blood circulation, or even inactivity. Physical therapy exercises, however, are a proven pain treatment because they focus on increasing blood flow, decreasing muscle spasms, and improving muscle strength.
Having established that physiotherapy exercise is a form of treatment, it is essential to add that the treatment form is excellent, as it is non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical.
By enhancing older adults’ physical strength and stamina, physical therapy for seniors helps deal with a range of physical health issues and prevents injuries that might require invasive procedures.
Additionally, physio exercises are an alternative way of treating pain – as has been said. So, instead of using pain medications – or other drugs – that may leave an unfavourable effect on their body, your older one can address any discomfort they feel with physical therapy.
Sometimes, older individuals might require surgery to deal with some health challenges. Physiotherapy focuses on ensuring that individuals are physically prepared for their surgical procedure. And, after the surgery, older folks recover faster with the help of physical therapy.
Naturally, exercise helps maintain and boost the cardiovascular circulation and capacity of your loved one, thereby increasing the chances of success of a surgical operation. Meanwhile, post-surgery physical therapy will assist your older one in building their strength and recuperating faster.
Simple exercises offer a range of mental health benefits to seniors. So, if your loved one wants to enhance their physical well-being while maintaining their mental health, physical therapy exercise is the way to go.
Physiotherapy exercise aids in improving older adults’ mental well-being by staving off anxiety and stress through the release of endorphins. It has also boosted self-esteem and cognitive function.
Physiotherapy is not only for athletes or people in rehabilitation – it is for everyone who wants to improve their physical and mental well-being. With physiotherapy exercises, your parents or grandparents can get on track to enjoying perfect health and a fun-filled life in retirement.