If you are entering your senior years, you probably hope to stay active and independent for a long time! Unfortunately, your quality of life could be altered at any time due to illness or injury. For instance, each year one in every three adults aged 65 and older suffers a fall (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Illness or injury can make simple tasks such as bathing, dressing, cooking meals, laundry, shopping, and walking difficult or impossible.How can you help speed up your recovery and increase the possibility that you will be able to return to your previous level of independence when illness or injury strikes? Physical and/or occupational therapists can become your real-life heroes by teaching you ways to help quicken your recovery. Physicians often make referrals to these therapists following an illness or injury, or if they notice a physical problem in its initial stages. Working with a therapist at the first sign of a problem can help prevent falls, decrease illness, and prevent injury.After careful screening of your current condition, the therapist will design an individualized program for you to help restore mobility, reduce pain, improve balance, and increase overall fitness. For example, if you have suffered a fall, therapists have many types of interventions and methods to assist you in your recovery. Or, if you are at risk for falling, they can help you prevent falls by working on your balance, strength, and endurance.Working with a Physical and/or Occupational Therapist is a proven way for seniors to restore confidence, improve balance and coordination, gain strength, decrease pain, increase range of motion in limbs, and relearn the skills necessary to stay active. You will find the therapy gym a safe and supportive environment in which to work on your recovery.In addition, Occupational and/or Physical Therapists can help you maintain or increase your level of independence with daily living tasks at home. They are able to make recommendations for home modifications, as well as accessibility and safety adjustments for your home. They can also help you select assistive devices that will be useful to you in your daily living tasks.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Mandy Molnar, MOTR/L, Director of Therapy Services at Bethany Rehabilitation Center in Lakewood, CO. Bethany Rehabilitation Center specializes in helping seniors recover following hospitalizations due to illness or injury. For more information, call Mandy at 303-238-8333
