How does regular Physiotherapy at Assisted living facilities help Elderly Persons live an Active Physical and Mental life? Aging comes with its promises and challenges. The body undergoes many physical and mental changes that call for sufficient care. The weakening of the body due to old age causes deterioration of muscular strength, balancing and coordination, bone health and even makes the body stiffer and less mobile due to joint pain. Old age also makes seniors more prone to injuries, fractures and falls. To overcome this problem, regular exercise plays a crucial role in restoring the body’s functionalities to remain independent. This is where physiotherapy for seniors comes into play.
Physiotherapy is a boon for elders as they may not be able to exercise independently due to their fragile bodies and stiffened joints. It not only protects physical health but also safeguards mental health by preventing cognitive decline. So, senior care facilities like assisted living homes and homebased healthcare services have physiotherapists who help elders to be physically active and fit. Athulya Assisted Living, a luxurious and affordable assisted living facility in Chennai, is a perfect example to substantiate this point. Besides furnishing state-of-art amenities in its aesthetic living spaces, Athulya Assisted Living also conducts fitness and mental wellness programs including yoga and meditation for its elderly residents. Another speciality of this facility is that it provides skilled nursing care and excellent rehabilitation care for seniors recovering from surgery, injury and illnesses like stroke through holistic care approaches including physiotherapy by trained geriatric professionals.
Some Common Types of Exercises for Physiotherapy • • • • •
Exercises for bone health include weight-bearing and resistance exercises like walking, jogging, hiking, climbing stairs, dancing, playing sports like tennis and lifting weights. Breathing exercises like pursed-lip breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, alternate nostril breathing, equal breathing and resonant breathing. Spine-friendly exercises that involve routine activities like cleaning the home and gardening, low impact aerobics, swimming, stretching and special exercises like Tai Chi and yoga. Exercises for healthy mind include simple games like cards, jigsaw puzzles, music, dance, vocabulary building or learning new skills. Functional exercises are specific exercises used to practice certain routine movements that become difficult after suffering from an injury or trauma.