Geriatric physical therapy is a proven way for elderly parents of all levels of physical ability to build confidence, improve balance and strength, and stay active.

There are many additional advantages to physical therapy and your parent may be a prime candidate for receiving Physical Therapy. Many people are familiar with physical therapy as a treatment after a serious accident, injury, or conditions, such as a stroke. However, its usefulness extends well beyond those specific conditions. According to the National Institutes of Health, physical therapy is good for improving strength, balance, mobility and overall fitness. Those are factors that all aging parents could benefit from, as each contributes to the physical ability of maintaining independence for a longer period of time. Your parent is also more likely to avoid falls, which is crucial to the aging population.

Many people may believe that their parents are too old to spend time building muscles. This is not true. According to research conducted by Dr. Miriam Nelson, author of the book “Strong Women Stay Young,” most women begin to lose muscle mass after the age of 40, partly because they begin to slow down. Yet in her study, women who engaged in strength training for one year resulted in bodies that were 15 to 20 years more youthful; they were stronger, had better balance, improved flexibility, and were more energized.

Westwood Physical Therapy can help your Aging Parent stay strong and maintain their independence and productivity.