Geriatric Physical Therapy

Physical therapy in Port Isabel and Olmito can be exceptionally crucial for individuals over the age of 65. This is because at this age muscles and joints can start to lose their strength. These change associated with aging can be detrimental to an older individual’s ability to carry out day-to-day life and tasks that used to be trivial for them, such as standing, walking, and taking stairs.

The good thing is that there are a wide variety of ways that physical therapy can help older adults combat the effects of aging.

Geriatric Physical Therapy Explained

Geriatric physical therapy is best defined as a type of physical therapy that is specially formulated to help older adults with their particular set of challenges. Physical therapists who help geriatric patients understand that older individuals become less mobile and deal with a reduction in their strength, reaction time, stamina, and coordination. With this knowledge, geriatric physical therapy aims to build a foundation of strength and stamina so that they can reap the benefits in daily life, including:

• Staying active
• Avoiding muscle atrophy
• Minimizing the susceptibility to falls and associated injuries
• Maximizing independence in day-to-day activities

One of the great things about geriatric physical therapy is that it can be done in all manner of places, such as:

• Inpatient healthcare facilities, ranging from hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities
• Outpatient facilities, such as Surge Mobile Physical Therapy!
• In the comfort of one’s own home

This flexibility in where physical therapy is a great boon to individuals with mobility difficulties

The majority of geriatric physical therapy is performed in an outpatient capacity and can be covered by Medicare Insurance. For individuals who do not have Medicare, it is also often covered partially or entire by alternative insurance plans.

If you are not sure whether your particular insurance covers outpatient geriatric physical therapy, contact our team and we will be more than happy to determine your eligibility.

Geriatric Physical Therapy Tips

It is common for geriatric physical therapy in Port Isabel to incorporate a range of exercises with the goal of improving flexibility, stamina, strength and balance. These are exercises such as:

• Balance exercises that aim to maximize stability while walking, standing, changing directions, such as shifting weight exercises
• Lower body exercises that improve strength in the legs, such as sit-to-stands, leg lifts, and gentle bridges
• Lower body stretches to improve flexibility in the back, joints, and legs. 
• Endurance exercises to maintain the capacity and function of the cardiovascular system

Geriatric Physical Therapy in Port Isabel

If you are a senior in the Rio Grande Valley, it is very likely that you would benefit from geriatric physical therapy at Surge Mobile Physical Therapy. Geriatric physical therapy at our clinic has a focus on helping the older adults in our community regain balance, coordination, and muscle strength so that they can maximize their mobility of functional abilities to be able to live out their days fully and with as much independence as possible.

If you are unsure whether geriatric physical therapy at our clinic is right for you, please schedule a consultation with one of our physical therapists and we will determine whether you would benefit from our program.