Geriatric Care

Geriatric physical therapy is a form of physical therapy specifically geared toward older adults and their unique issues and challenges. Geriatric physical therapy takes into account that older adults tend to become less active over time, experience a decrease in muscle strength, coordination, and reaction timing, and have a lower tolerance for physical activity.

Geriatric physical therapy is different from other types of physical therapy because it focuses more on building strength and endurance in older adults to help in the following ways:

• Keeping active
• Preventing deconditioning (reversal of previous conditioning)
• Preventing muscle atrophy (the wasting away of muscles)
• Decreasing the risk of falls and related injuries
• Maintaining independence in performing daily activities

Geriatric physical therapy can be performed in a variety of settings, including:

• Hospitals and clinics on an outpatient basis
• Inpatient healthcare facilities like nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, as well as assisted living facilities
• At home, which is especially helpful for those with mobility challenges who have difficulty getting out