Adult Aging is Normal

Article submitted by Renette Mahaffey & Lisa DeVinner of Diversified Therapies.
For more information, they can be reached at 205-871-7415.

Adult Aging is a normal process. Some age-related bodily changes may be misunderstood and unnecessarily limit daily activities. Normal aging need not result in pain and decrease in physical mobility. A Physical Therapist is a resource to understand these changes and offer assistance for regaining lost abilities and/or develop new ones. Often physical therapy is equated only with rehabilitation. While it is true that rehabilitation is central to physical therapy, health promotion and disease prevention are major concerns as well. The Physical Therapist, working with the older adult, understands the anatomical and physiological changes that occur with normal aging. The Therapist willevaluate and develop a specially designed therapeutic exercise program to enhance mobility.

Exercise, a major modality of physical therapy, is instrumental in preventing secondary dysfunction in the acute stages of an injury or illness. A vast number of conditions are treated effectively with physical therapy intervention. Examples of specific diseases and conditions that may affect older people and be improved with physical therapy include: Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Cerebral Vascular Accident (Stroke), Cancer, Parkinson's Disease, Urinary and Fecal Incontinence, Amputations, Cardiac and Pulmonary Diseases, Dementias, Alzheimer's Disease, Coordination and Balance Disorders, Functional Limitations related to mobility, Sports/Orthopedic Injuries, Joint Replacements and Hip Fractures.

For older adults, Physical Therapy plays a key role in geriatric functional assessment aimed at enhancing mobility and joint protection techniques that reduce deformity and simultaneously allow them to continue to participate in activities meaningful to them. Physical therapy is also an integral component of environmental design through home adaptations and equipment recommendations as well as fall prevention programs for geriatric patients. Through the use of tests, evaluations, exercises, treatments with modalities, screening programs, as well as educational information, Physical Therapists:

• Increase, restore or maintain range of motion, physical strength, flexibility, coordination, balance and endurance
• Recommend adaptations to make the home accessible and safe
• Teach positioning, transfers, and walking skills promote maximum function and independence within an individual's capability
• Increase overall fitness through exercise programs
• Prevent further decline in functional abilities through education, energy conservation techniques, joint protection, and use of assistive devices to promote independence; improve sensation, joint proprioception
• Reduce pain

In conclusion, Physical therapy intervention may prevent life long disability and restore the highest level of functioning. Physical Therapy services are available on a private basis. Upon consultation the Physical Therapist can provide the interested client with an initial evaluation. The evaluation usually includes a complete assessment of all pertinent physical, neurological, functional and psychosocial variables related to the patient's condition. The results of the evaluation are discussed with the patient and or responsible party. However, in accordance with the laws of Alabama, a physician's order must be received by the treating therapist before therapy begins.