Physical therapy is proven to help clients with a variety of health conditions, many of which afflict the elderly. Understanding the impact of activity should help guide you in your pursuit of the best physical therapy continuing education courses.
As you pursue physical therapy as a career, you will find that it offers multiple benefits for elderly clients. In fact, recent studies suggest that physical therapy may have more benefits than previously known.
Physical Therapy May Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Studies suggest that physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and potentially even death in elderly patients. Physical therapy also plays a role in preventing hospital stays.
One of the keys to physical therapy continuing education is understanding the role your work plays in helping patients. The truth is that elderly clients may benefit comparably to middle-aged clients from physical activity. Even being mildly active is better than being inactive.
Physical Therapy May Prevent Falls
Falling is common among the elderly, especially following hospital stays. Spending a lot of time in a hospital bed can be detrimental to one’s strength, leading to a fall or injury. Physical therapy can enhance the strength and endurance of an elderly client.
About one-fourth of Americans over the age of 65 fall each year. Unfortunately, falls are the leading cause of injury in the elderly. Use your physical therapy sessions to improve balance and strength in your clients.
Physical Therapy May Reduce Pain
Physical therapy prevents your clients from feeling stiff, increasing mobility. In addressing issues like osteoarthritis, physical therapy may be especially helpful. Chronic pain can cause extreme disturbances that impact your clients for every minute of the day.
Physical therapists help their patients understand the sources of their pain, but they also perform strengthening exercises, flexibility exercises, posture awareness, and manual therapy. Cold and heat therapy are also useful techniques for easing pain.
Physical therapy, which may include activities ranging from lifting small weights to using heat or cold, can be life-improving for those of any age.
Physical Therapy May Improve Cognitive Functioning
Elderly clients may experience a number of cognitive issues, including dementia. Physical therapy may be able to slow the decline in cognitive abilities associated with many conditions faced by the elderly because it is thought to improve memory. In patients who may experience dementia or Alzheimer’s in the future, physical therapy may delay the onset of either condition.
Additionally, physical therapy can provide valuable skills, like environmental awareness, to those who might need more support. As a physical therapist, you can learn how to serve your clients with a personalized plan geared toward cognitive and physical functioning. With therapy, you may be able to delay hospitalization for your clients by years.
What Physical Therapists Can Do
Physical therapy continuing education is available to help you learn more about how your methods can meet the needs of a diverse array of clients. You can improve the quality of your client’s lives through continuing ed. Physical Therapy Courses may be the key to showing you how to help your clients handle their most difficult problems.
