When recovering from an injury, illness or hospital admission, most people want to resume their regular lifestyle as quickly as possible. Physical therapy can help you regain your mobility and independence, getting you back on your feet and enjoying the activities you love. As a life plan community, Montereau offers a comprehensive senior rehabilitation program that can help you recover from trauma, sickness or other debilitating conditions. Explore the types of physical therapy available for seniors and how they can benefit your health. 

Common Types of Physical Therapy for Seniors

Physical therapy helps restore functional mobility such as walking, standing and moving different body parts. It’s an effective treatment for certain medical conditions or injuries that cause pain or limited mobility. There are several physical therapies that cater to the health needs seniors typically experience.

Geriatric Physical Therapy

In general, older adults become less active as they age, resulting in decreased muscle strength or coordination and a lower tolerance for physical activity. Geriatric physical therapy focuses on restoring mobility and increasing fitness levels. It’s also used to treat medical conditions such as arthritis, joint replacement and balance disorders. 

Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Focusing on musculoskeletal issues, orthopedic physical therapy addresses injuries affecting bones, tendons, muscles, joints and ligaments. It can help you regain mobility and bodily functions while recovering from a fall or an orthopedic surgery. 

Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy

Cardiopulmonary physical therapy is usually prescribed for people who’ve experienced a heart attack, heart surgery or other conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It helps you improve endurance and restore cardiac and pulmonary function through breathing techniques and monitored exercises. 

Neurological Physical Therapy

Neurological physical therapy is slightly different from other types of physical therapy because it focuses on the brain and body. It’s used to treat neurological conditions, including brain injuries, strokes, spinal cord injuries and cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s. The goal is to help you adapt to balance, mobility, visual or muscle impairments to maintain autonomy in your day-to-day life. 

Benefits of Physical Therapy

Attending physical therapy sessions after an injury or illness can improve your physical wellness, helping you regain your strength, mobility and flexibility to attain a vibrant lifestyle. It offers many benefits for seniors, including:

• Decreased pain from chronic conditions: Seniors suffering from pain related to arthritis, chronic headaches, fibromyalgia or osteoporosis may find relief through physical therapy. It can help alleviate discomfort without the risk of side effects associated with many pain medications. 
• Reduced fall risks: Every year, 36 million falls occur among seniors, resulting in injuries or hospitalizations. Physical therapy can teach you techniques to prevent falls, enhancing your independence. 
• Lowered risk of injury: Physical therapy can also help you maintain stability when moving around or performing daily living activities. This can reduce your risk of reinjuring a healing bone or muscle and prevent new injuries.  
• Enabling faster recovery time: Physical therapy can speed up recovery from an injury or illness by reducing swelling or inflammation and helping the body heal faster. Your physical therapist can help you develop an exercise routine to strengthen your joints and muscles, which can assist with mobility and pain management. 
• Promoting independence: Maintaining independence becomes crucial to seniors as they age. Since physical therapy helps with mobility, it can enhance your ability to perform everyday tasks, such as meal preparation and laundry, so you can retain your autonomy longer. 

Short-Term Rehab & At-Home Care

Physical therapy can be conducted in numerous settings depending on your needs and lifestyle preferences. For example, Montereau offers short-term rehabilitation that provides you with a private room during your stay, 24/7 access to trained staff and personalized activity programs tailored to your unique health needs. By offering physical, occupational and speech therapy, we can help you recover from a range of health complications, including stroke, trauma, arthritis and head injuries. 

If you’d prefer receiving services in the comfort of your home, At-Home Care may be a better option. A trained physical therapist will travel to your home and administer services aligning with your health needs and goals. This can help you better navigate your own home, allowing you to comfortably and safely age in place. 

Explore Your Care Options

At Montereau, we’re committed to helping you maintain your physical wellness and independence for a higher quality of life. Explore your care options by calling us at (918) 495-1500 to schedule a tour and see how our services align with your needs.