Benefits of In-Home Physiotherapy for seniors

Physiotherapy or Physical therapy is a treatment done to injured or pain areas of the body to enable physical mobility or gain fitness and resume daily routine. There are various kinds of physiotherapy treatments with respect to different parts of the body. A physiotherapist assesses the patient’s physical condition and suggests the kind of treatment required. Irrespective of age group, therapies are done to children, adults, and seniors. Patients can walk-in to nearby clinics, or a physiotherapist can visit for in-home physiotherapy treatment.

Who would require an in-home physiotherapy?

People who find it difficult to move around in the home or cannot get to the workplace would be the ones opting for in-home therapy. Old age people or seniors mostly prefer for care services at home. The therapy centres make sure that all the medical equipments are arranged for in-home treatment. The duration of the therapy depends on the physical condition of the patient. The in-home therapy does not vary from the one given at clinical centres

Insurance is also covered for in-home treatment and is applicable to only few types. You may have to contact the agent to know more about the eligibility criteria and finance options.

The various types of in-home or clinical physiotherapy treatments are:

1. Manual techniques
2. Ultrasound
3. Laser
4. Acupuncture
5. Heat/Ice treatment
6. Exercises and another functional treatment

Benefits of the in-home physiotherapy for seniors:

I.            The health care centres provide fall prevention classes and exercises.

II.            The classes can be one-on-one sessions or group classes. One-on-one sessions are very helpful for long-term senior residents as they can recover in quick time and adjust better to the home environment. Some may not prefer group classes as physiotherapist could find it difficult to give equal attention to all in the group.

III.            Seniors who are just out of hospital post surgery or a neurological disorder feel comfortable at home than at health centres. Comfortable environment is equally important for people aged above 65 to recover soon from treatment.

IV.            Exercise classes include some of the following types:

i.      Endurance

ii.      Functional fitness training

iii.      Balance and flexibility training

iv.      Muscle strengthening

v.      Cardio and respiratory exercises

V.            The classes are also based on the physical situation of the patients. In-home treatment will help therapists to keep a close watch on the progress of the patients.

Some of the in-home physiotherapy treatments are free and not charged as per the recently launched extended programme by Ministry of Health for seniors above 65 years of age.