The Benefits of Physical Therapy to Aging Well

By: Rachael Timm, Marketing Director of Heritage Hill Senior Community

With age, our bodies naturally begin to slow down. Along with a decrease in muscle strength, flexibility and balance, seniors may find themselves less active than they once were.

Participating in a physical therapy program is a great way to keep older adults physically fit, allowing them to move around more comfortably and with better confidence.

Physical therapists provide an individualized treatment plan, using the appropriate exercises and techniques to promote independence and improve quality of life.

While their objective is to help seniors achieve their functional goals to complete activities of daily living, there are many more benefits to physical therapy, including:

• Managing the effects of chronic medical conditions, such as osteoporosis, where bones become weak and brittle, making them more susceptible to fractures and arthritis. Physical therapy and a regular exercise plan are steps in coping with chronic pain more effectively than medication alone. Therapeutic exercises also relieve discomfort while preserving the strength and use of joints.

• Reducing the risk of falls and other injuries. There are several causes of poor balance—muscle weakness and unstable joints, difficulties with eyesight, and medication side effects. Injuries from falls and other accidents can jeopardize mobility and independence. Physical therapists use various exercises to increase muscle strength and flexibility, maintain stability, and improve posture.

• Improving sleep quality. Daily exercise expends energy, helping seniors achieve a restful night’s sleep. Healthy sleep can boost the immune system. Having a strong immune system is beneficial to aging well as it helps the body defend against illnesses.

At Heritage Hill Senior Community, personal care and memory care residents stay healthy and engaged through on-site therapy services from FOX Rehabilitation and daily fitness classes that improve mobility, prevent injury and reduce muscle discomfort.

To learn more about Heritage Hill and its therapy services, visit the Laurel Mall in Hazleton during the annual Senior Health Fair on Thursday, April 28, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., or contact me by phone at 570-215-3172 or email rtimm@heritagehillsenior.com. The first 50 visitors to our booth will receive a gift.