How can physiotherapy for the elderly prevent falls and fractures

How can physiotherapy for the elderly prevent falls and fractures?

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Falls are the main reason for fractures, decreased mobility, and functional independence in the elderly. Compared to the younger population, older persons are more likely to fall. An average of one in three adults over the age of 65 and half of those over the age of 80 will fall each year. Falling results in pain, damage, sorrow, and loss of confidence for humans, in addition to costing billions of dollars annually. Falls have an impact on the person, their family, and any caregivers. Falls may have an economic impact in addition to the human cost.

A fall is defined by the World Health Organization as an incident that causes a person to unintentionally come to rest on the ground, a floor, or another lower level. The elderly person may suffer a serious injury from the fall that may affect their ability for the rest of their lives.

Falls are caused by a variety of circumstances, both intrinsic and extrinsic. Co-morbidities, diet, weak muscles, poor vision, memory issues, polypharmacy, etc. are some of the inherent causes. Extrinsic variables include things in the surroundings that cause falls, such as a cluttered home, cables, damp floors, loose carpets, etc. Fractures are the most frequent aftereffect of falls among the elderly. They might range from minor fractures that just require conservative treatment to severe ones that require surgical intervention. The older population is most affected by hip fractures, with 'fracture Neck of femur' being the most frequent one.

To reduce the risk of falls, Sunny Nursing Services offers an extensive falls assessment programme. Specialist physiotherapists on our team offer physio at home in Coulsdon, Epsom, and Ewell. We are specialists in determining the likelihood of falls and offering suggestions to lessen both external and intrinsic risks. Being Surrey home visit physiotherapists, we have the knowledge to offer suggestions for lowering the risk factors in the home that are the main reason for falls. The patient's confidence is boosted by the environmental changes since they make it easier for them to move around the house securely.

Fragility fractures are brought on by falling on brittle bones, which can happen for a variety of causes. Many elderly patients blame their slips and accidents on 'old age.' Age, however, does not necessarily equate to weak bones. Physiotherapists can evaluate the weaknesses in a patient's posture, mobility, strength, and balance that increase the risk of falling.

Private physiotherapy is offered by Sunny Nursing Services in the comfort of the patient's home and focuses on the neuromuscular system, joint flexibility, and muscle strength development to enhance balance and stability. According to the chartered association of physiotherapists, there are over 30 million fragility fractures each year, which result in major mobility impairments in about 50% of cases and fatalities in 10% of fallers.

A major contributing factor in senior fall risk is postural hypotension. A senior may become dehydrated from not drinking enough water. They tend to drink less water to avoid having to get up and go to the bathroom to empty their bladders since they are so afraid of doing so. The primary causes of the aforementioned are limited mobility and weak lower limbs, which set off a vicious cycle of infections, falls, and fractures. The people who can best explain the need of getting enough hydration intake are physiotherapists.

Physiotherapists can create a customised exercise programme for in-home physiotherapy sessions with the goal of lowering fall-related anxiety and enhancing functional ability in people with complicated needs. The risk of fragility fractures is decreased by exercising at the right intensity, which also helps to improve bone health. Evidence shows that home physical therapy for people who are at risk of fractures and falls is a crucial component of their rehabilitation programme.

Elderly physiotherapy is our area of expertise. Please call us at +91 920 964 5005 for further details or to have an informal conversation.