Senior Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Services
Physiotherapy for the older person and elderly rehabilitation aims to improve the general health and ability of every individual. It aims to optimise their quality and enjoyment of life. We will carry out a full functional assessment and work with you and your family to set short- and long-term goals.
We are members of the Chartered Society for older People – AGILE. Their mission statement is “to deliver the highest possible physiotherapy practice with older people”. We are committed to following this ethos.
The benefits of elderly rehabilitation
We will devise a personal treatment programme to:
- Regain your independence.
- Maximise your safety.
- Decrease your risk of falling.
- Restore your confidence.
- Improve your quality of life.
- Help you to carry out activities of daily living.
- Improve your mobility indoors and outdoors.
- Maintain your muscle strength.
- Balance and walking re-education.
Physiotherapy can be extremely useful for older people if you have had a fall, accident or want to improve your independence and functional capabilities. We work with people who:
- Have had a recent deterioration in their mobility.
- Recent discharge from hospital.
- Had a fall or have a high risk of falling.
- Recent accident.
- Pain that is limiting them.
- Recently had an operation.
- Have an interest in improving their independence and functional abilities.
What is meant by an increased risk of falling?
A person who is prone to falling can have poor balance, poor strength, poor co-ordination and poor sensation in their lower limbs. A person with neurological conditions may be at a higher risk of falling. It can also be due to poor eyesight, general poor health, blood pressure problems, cardiac and vestibular(inner ear) problems.
Many adults become less active as they get older, which exacerbates the physical signs of ageing making you more prone to falling.
What conditions lead to a higher risk of falls?
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Parkinsons disease.
- Stroke. See our Blog article.
- Muscular dystrophy.
- Chronic health conditions such as dementia, heart disease, arthritis.
- Hip replacement surgery.
How can physiotherapy lower your risk of a fall?
Physiotherapy is beneficial to any person who is at risk of falling. Physiotherapy can:
- Make you feel more confident when walking around your home.
- Prevent recurrent falls.
- Reduce your risk of injury around your home.
- Help you to be independent with your daily activities such as washing, dressing, cooking and preparing meals.
- Improve your strength and balance.
It is important to note that failure to engage in even mild exercise on a regular basis is detrimental to health. It results in reduced muscle strength, decreased bone mass, loss of balance and coordination, and reduced flexibility.