Physical Therapy and Enhancing Mobility in Adult Day Health Care

Physical Therapy and Enhancing Mobility in Adult Day Health Care

Adult day health care centers have a variety of different options when it comes to helping seniors live healthier and safer lives, especially if they’re facing mobility challenges. Physical therapy is a service that helps seniors to be more mobile and that helps them to overcome illness, prevent falls, and participate in daily tasks with more confidence.

Assessing Mobility Needs

Physical therapists start out by digging deeper into what seniors need, what their challenges are around mobility, and what might help them the most. For some seniors, engaging in a specific regimen of exercises is helpful. Others might need more support from mobility aids in order to be mobile safely. Factors like how mobility is impaired, what environmental factors exist, and what seniors prefer all make a difference, too.

Types of Mobility Aids

If seniors do need assistance from mobility aids, there are lots to choose from. Walkers and canes help to offer stability and support for seniors who are having trouble with balance. Wheelchairs might be an option if seniors have significant mobility limitations or injuries. Something like a scooter is often used for seniors who need help walking longer distances. Regardless, physical therapists can help choose the right one.

Using Mobility Aids Safely

It’s also important for seniors to use mobility aids safely and properly. Physical therapy works with seniors to adjust to using mobility aids, if they’re necessary. Using any new tool takes time and patience, and seniors need to give themselves the space to learn how to use mobility aids safely. Physical therapists can show them tricks that make adjustment easier.

Fitting and Maintaining Mobility Aids

Many people don’t realize that tools like canes and walkers are often adjustable. They need to be adjusted properly in order to work well and keep seniors safely mobile. It’s also important to maintain these devices so that they continue working well. Physical therapists can help aging adults stay on top of keeping these tools in good working order.

Promoting Confident Use of Mobility Aids

Over time, it gets easier for seniors to use mobility aids and to become stronger from exercises. What they may not realize is that they’re also becoming more confident about being able to move as well as possible in their daily lives. Becoming more independent and confident carries over into all sorts of different activities, helping seniors to have a better quality of life overall.

Adult day health care centers make it easy for seniors to access physical therapy and other services that they need. Seniors get the help they need to learn how to use mobility aids, to become more mobile in a safe way, and to improve their own quality of life. Physical therapy can give seniors the freedom to be more active in general, not just at the adult day center, but also at home and in all other areas of their lives. This improves their odds of having the best possible quality of life, which is an essential part of keeping seniors healthy and happy.

Oxnard Family Circle: Safe, Reliable, Social and Fun!

If you need respite and/or help with caring for your loved one in any corner of Ventura County, CA (Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Ventura, Camarillo, etc.), talk to the caring staff at Oxnard Family Circle, Inc. today. 1805-385-4180