Geriatric
Physical Therapy
Geriatric Physical Therapy, Balance, & Functional Independence Training
Age is just a number! However, sometimes as we age, we find we may need to work just a little harder to do the things we've always loved to do. ​
Physical Therapy is useful for improving balance, strength, mobility, and overall fitness. All of these factors contribute to your physical abilities and help maintain independence for longer periods of time.
Functional Independence Training:
You may find it is harder for you to perform daily activities such as, the ability to:
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get up from the couch
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get up from a chair
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pick up something off the floor
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reach for a cup on the top shelf of the cabinet
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carry the laundry over to the machine
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carry the groceries
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get in and out of the car
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get on and off the toilet
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get in and out of the shower
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walk the dog
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walk to the mailbox to get the mail
There is a lot that is involved in performing these activities such as mobility, motor planning, balance, proprioception and spatial awareness, strength, eccentric control, and visual-tracking. As we get older, there are a lot of changes that take place within our bodies, especially within our joints and muscle fibers. This may impact the speed at which your brain is able to send a signal to your body in order for you to produce the movements you were once able to without difficulty. Functional Independence Training can help retrain these neuromuscular connections which will allow you to better perform these daily functional activities.
Balance Training:
You may find while walking from one room to the other you are reaching for the wall or furniture in order to help guide you. You may find that you are falling more or you are reaching out to catch yourself before you fall.
Proprioception refers to the sense of knowing where your body is located in space which is how we are able to stand still or move our bodies on a daily basis. Proprioception is mediated by receptors and neurons within the joints, muscles, and tendons. Studies show that proprioception is affected by age and decline in lower-limb proprioception has been associated with balance difficulties.
Through Physical Therapy we can assist you in retraining these connections and therefore improve your proprioception and balance. We can also guide you through safe and efficient ways to navigate your daily environment.
