Physiotherapy at Home for the Elderly

We can take it as fact that most seniors want to stay living in their own home for as long as possible as they age. It is their own space where they feel most comfortable, and staying at home helps them maintain the all important sense of independence. An important aspect of maintaining independence is having the physical strength and fitness to safely move around the home and take care of oneself. When this becomes challenging, physiotherapy can help. Luckily, there are many physical therapy exercises for seniors that can be done at home. 

At home physical therapy for elderly adults offers many benefits. It is helpful for seniors who have difficulty driving, since they do need to go to a gym and to stay fit. The exercises are often simple and don’t require any special equipment, and they are safe enough to be done when alone. Of course you should always chat with your doctor before beginning any new exercise program, but we do offer some simple exercises to get you started if you wish.

Physical Therapy Exercises for Elderly Adults at Home 

Physiotherapy for elderly adults focuses mainly on mobility and functional fitness – the type you use to complete normal activities during daily life. The goal of physiotherapy, or physical therapy, for seniors at home is staying safe and independent and reducing the risk of falls – something 1 in 3 seniors experiences each year! 

Some physical therapy exercises to get you moving at home include:

• Muscle strengthening exercises – includes movements like chair squats, seated leg lifts, wall push-ups (if they don’t bother your wrists), and dumbbell curls or overhead shoulder presses with very light weights. A light weight can be a soup can from your pantry. 
• Flexibility – this can include almost any kind of stretch, like seated hamstring and butterfly stretches, calf stretches, arm across chest stretches, and back twists and stretches. Yoga and tai chi are also excellent mobility and flexibility workouts that can be done at home. 
• Mobility – similar to flexibility, mobility exercises focus on keeping the joints moving comfortably and freely. These include things like wrist bends, neck rolls, ankle twists, and seated knee lifts. Many of these movements can be done while relaxed in front of the television. Joints should always be moved slowly and never pushed past comfort. 
• Balance – balance exercises are particularly beneficial when it comes to reducing the risk of falling. You may be surprised by how many muscles you feel working as you balance! Try things like standing on your toes, walking in a heel-to-toe straight line, or marching in place with your arms out to your sides. Lift your arms over your head when marching for an extra challenge. 

Physical therapy is useful but not always fun or easy. Exercising consistently will lead to better results. Remember to take things slow. Exercise can be challenging and tiring but should never be painful. If muscles are sore after exercise, either ice or a heating pad can be helpful. Don’t be afraid to try even if you have never done it before – it is never too late to start working on your fitness.