Stay active to keep your independence

 

Hi, I’m Kylie from My Mobile Physio. Recently I read a really interesting article about how vitally important it is for older adults to keep active in order for them to hold on to their independence for longer! We all know our aging population is increasing and we are all directly impacted, whether it be a parent, grandparent, partner or sibling that you are worried about… as they get older, we want them to continue to have a good quality of life and keep their independence for as long as they can.

An article in the UK written last week talks about how physical activity and exercise are valuable no matter how old you are. Believe it or not, it is frail, older people who gain the most benefit! I just wanted to outline some of the key points of the article and give you some ideas on how you can help someone you love from slowing down as they get older.

The old saying… ‘You are never too old’ is quite fitting, as we have much more of our population living into their 90’s and 100’s and they can definitely still benefit from physical activity. Did you know that for many people, problems of balance and muscle weakness can be addressed even when you’re in your 90s? Prescribing activity for older people is part of a more proactive approach by physiotherapists to prevent loss of mobility and independence and that is what we at My Mobile Physio specialise in!

The article talks about how we need to change our mind set of thinking that falling over is a natural part of the aging process! Falling can be prevented with the right assessment, prescription and treatment by a physiotherapist. Older adults are fearful of talking about a fall. They often don’t want to tell anyone in case people say that they shouldn’t be living on their own, or try and suggest placement into a nursing home. Instead, we need to be encouraging older adults (our loved ones) to be open to discussing falls and showing them how they can be prevented! As often, it can be a really easy solution!
The article also talks about how physiotherapy can have a real benefit with people with dementia. It talks about how working with people who suffer from dementia, requires you to be a lot more adaptable and much more creative. Flexibility is the key! – Remember an older person with dementia will still benefit from exercise!
So, if you know anyone, whether it be a family member, friend, or patient, that you are worried maybe slowing down, or that you want to see stay as active as possible, feel free to discuss with us how we can help! Call us now on 1300 79 12 49 or email us at admin@ydnnprm7au.wpdns.site

Thanks for watching, see you next time.