Key points 

• As life expectancy increases, geriatric physiotherapy is becoming crucial for managing age-related conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, hip and joint replacements, balance disorders, and incontinence. 

• Geriatric physiotherapy is specialised to address the unique health challenges of seniors, focusing on maintaining independence, strength, and mobility. 

• The goals of geriatric physiotherapy are to effectively manages conditions like chronic pain, loss of strength and flexibility, and balance issues and enhance strength and endurance to prevent muscle atrophy, and promote coordination and confidence to keep seniors active, reduce fall risks, and maintain independence in daily activities. 

• Experienced physiotherapists create personalised programs for seniors, incorporating exercises for muscle conditioning and will include home exercises, posture advice, injury prevention, and nutritional guidance.  

• Common exercises include lower body stretches, endurance training, strengthening exercises, and balance exercises. 

• Benefits of geriatric physiotherapy include reducing dependency on medication and improving quality of life. 

• Additional therapies may involve manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education, and other modalities such as electrical stimulation to alleviate pain and inflammation.  

• Active+ provides comprehensive geriatric physiotherapy services, addressing various conditions and helping seniors remain independent. Click here to find your nearest physiotherapist.   

Introduction 

As life expectancy rises, so does the number of older adults facing age-related conditions that can be effectively treated with physiotherapy. Geriatric physiotherapy is essential for seniors dealing with arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, hip and joint replacements, balance disorders, and incontinence. The need for physiotherapy is driven by seniors' desire to remain independent and mobile. 

About geriatric physiotherapy 

Geriatric physiotherapy is a specialised form of physical therapy tailored to the unique health challenges of senior citizens. It addresses the natural decline in activity, muscle strength, coordination, reaction time, and physical tolerance that often accompanies ageing. 

 Unlike other types of physiotherapy, geriatric physiotherapy considers the specific health conditions, energy levels, and physical sensitivities of seniors. Its primary goals are to:  

• Enhance strength and endurance 

• Keep older adults active 

• Prevent muscle atrophy and deconditioning 

• Reduce the risk of falls, and 

• Maintain independence in daily activities. 

Common conditions that are treated with geriatric physiotherapy  

Physiotherapy effectively manages various conditions common in older adults, such as musculoskeletal problems, incontinence, balance impairments, chronic pain, sleep disturbances.  It can also assist with easing some of the mental health issues that can arise from limited physical capability.  

Other benefits of geriatric physiotherapy 

Reducing dependency on medication

Physiotherapy can mitigate conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, digestive issues, and chronic pain, reducing the reliance on medications by engaging both body and mind. 

Enhancing quality of life 

By restoring joint mobility and balance, physiotherapy significantly lowers the risk of falls and related injuries. It allows seniors to move more freely and with less pain, improving independence and overall well-being. 

What’s involved in physiotherapy for senior citizens? 

Experienced physiotherapists like our team at Active+ can design personalised programmes for seniors based on their health conditions, lifestyle, and therapeutic goals. Typically, geriatric physiotherapy includes exercises aimed at improving strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance to facilitate daily activities and prevent deconditioning. 

Common exercises for seniors

1. Lower body stretches – focusing on the lower back, hamstrings, and hips to enhance mobility and joint alignment, preventing muscle tightness and stiffness.
   
2. Endurance training – using equipment like treadmills and stationary bikes to promote cardiovascular health and circulation.
   
   
3. Strengthening exercises – targeting the glutes and quads with activities like sit-to-stands, squats, step-ups, leg lifts, and bridges to maintain lower body strength.
   
   
4. Balance exercises – improving stability through static and dynamic balance activities, weight-shifting exercises, marching, and tandem walking.  

Additional therapies

• Manual therapy – involves gentle soft tissue and joint mobilisation by skilled therapists to alleviate pain and improve movement. 

• Neuromuscular re-education (NMR) – hands-on techniques to manage soft tissue injuries and retrain muscles for better coordination. 

• Other modalities – including electrical stimulation, ice, cold laser, and other interventions to reduce joint pain and inflammation. 

Physiotherapy programmes also often incorporate home exercise routines, advice on postures and activities to avoid injury, and nutritional guidance to enhance therapy outcomes. 

Chronic pain 

Joint pain and discomfort can severely restrict movement. Geriatric physiotherapy helps reduce joint inflammation, restore strength, and improve function, alleviating mobility restrictions. 

Loss of strength and flexibility 

Aging often leads to reduced muscle, bone, and joint strength and flexibility.  Geriatric physiotherapy addresses pain from underlying conditions, facilitates easier movement, and rebuilds strength and flexibility through targeted exercises. 

Postural instability and balance issues 

Age-related muscle coordination loss and nervous system decline can impair balance. Physiotherapy stimulates nerves and muscles, enhancing coordination between the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Balance exercises strengthen the vestibular system, boosting confidence and reducing the fear of falling. 

How Active+ physiotherapy service helps senior citizens 

Geriatric physiotherapy focuses on strengthening the muscles necessary for everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and shifting positions. Participating in these therapy sessions helps older adults remain independent and prevents conditions associated with inactivity, like muscle atrophy.

At Active+, we offer comprehensive geriatric physiotherapy services, addressing a variety of conditions, including cardiac, respiratory, orthopaedic, and neurological issues.

Consult our expert physiotherapists for personalised care and the best physiotherapy services tailored to your needs. Click here to find your nearest physiotherapist.