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How Physical Therapy Can Help Common Health Risks in People Over Age 60

Today, we are going to talk about something very important: how physical therapy can help people over 60 years old. 

Meet James, a spirited 65-year-old who loved his morning walks in the park, cherished his weekends playing golf with friends, and was always ready to play with his grandkids. However, as the years rolled on, James started noticing that his legs were not as strong as they used to be, his back ached a little more than usual, and those morning walks felt more like a chore than a pleasure.

Like James, as we navigate through our 60s, many of us feel that our bodies are slowly betraying us. Those beautiful golden years we looked forward to spending in recreation now seem to be sprinkled with little bouts of health concerns here and there. It seems like aging has thrown us a curveball, making our daily activities and favorite hobbies more challenging.

But it doesn’t have to be this way! Imagine if you could regain that skip in your step, the strength to swing your golf club, or the ability to stay active and enjoy time with your loved ones without worrying about a looming backache or the risk of a fall. This is a very achievable reality!

This is where physical therapy revitalizes your body and spirit, one session at a time!

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What Happens When We Get Older?

You may have noticed or heard a loved one talk about feeling stiff or having aches and pains as they get older. Well, it’s true that our bodies undergo various changes as we age. When people reach the age of 60 and above, they sometimes find that their muscles aren’t as strong as they used to be, and they might not move as quickly. 

Let’s explore some of the most common physical changes we experience as we get older: 

  • Joints: As we grow older, our joints might not be as limber as they were when we were younger. Conditions like osteoarthritis can make joints a bit achy and less mobile. 
  • Muscles: When we’re older, our muscles are not as strong as when we were kids or adults. We lose muscle mass, and with it, we lose strength and reaction time to respond to daily challenges. 
  • Balance: Keeping a good balance can become challenging as we age, leading to slips and falls. Changes to our vision also impact the changes to our muscles and joints, which lead to difficulties with our balance. 

Getting older is a natural part of life, but it can sometimes bring some changes to our bodies that we might not be too excited about. Thankfully, with the help of Baylife physical therapists, you can continue to enjoy your favorite activities and even try new ones while keeping your bodies happy and healthy!

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How Our Physical Therapists Can Help

Like James, many of us might feel slower and less sturdy as we age. Fortunately, our physical therapists are here to help you get back into action. We’ll start by conducting a comprehensive evaluation, including a physical examination and medical history, to understand your physical abilities and overall health. 

Next, we’ll design a program to address your specific needs, including: 

  • Mobility Exercises: We’ll guide you through gentle stretches and mobility work to ease the aches in your joints and improve your overall ability to move. 
  • Strengthening Exercises: Our therapists will teach you targeted strengthening exercises to improve your ability to react and regain your power. Strong muscles mean we can safely continue doing all the things we love.
  • Balance and Gait Drills: Physical therapists can teach us special exercises and drills that make us more stable so we can walk safely without worrying about falling.

Our experienced therapists will help guide you to a happier and healthier life, where morning walks are a joy and playing with the grandkids is a breeze!

Get the Right Guidance To Getting Older!

If you or someone you know is over 60 and wants to take great care of their health, visiting Baylife can help you learn how to take care of your body so you can enjoy life to the fullest, doing the things you love most!

Remember, age is just a number; with the right help, everyone can enjoy a wonderful life!

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Meet Our Team

  • Briana-Hanes-Patient-Care-Coordinator-BayLife-PT-and-Rehab-Quality-Performance-Rehab-Fort-Pierce-FL
    Briana Hanes, PCC
    Patient Care Coordinator
  • Tom-Fischer-Center-Manager-Quality-Performance-Rehab-Prima-Vista-FL
    Tom Fischer, PT 
    Physical Therapist • Center Manager
  • Charlene Hamilton, PTA
    Physical Therapist Assistant

    • Recipe of the Month: Egg Roll in a Bowl

    Ingredients:

    • 1 lb ground turkey or chicken
    • ¼ cup yellow onion, chopped
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated or minced
    • 1 12-14 oz package coleslaw mix
    • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce, tamari or coconut aminos
    • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
    • 1-2 teaspoons sriracha or sambal oelek
    • 2 green onions, sliced
    • sriracha, for serving (optional)
    • sesame seeds and chopped cilantro, for garnish
    • cooked cauliflower rice, for serving (optional)

    Instructions:

    1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground meat and cook until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. While cooking, break meat into smaller pieces using a wooden spoon or spatula and season liberally with salt and pepper.
    2. Add onion, garlic, ginger, coleslaw mix, soy sauce, sesame oil and sriracha to the skillet. Cook for another 5 minutes or so, until cabbage is tender. Taste and add more soy sauce or sriracha, if needed.
    3. Portion mixture into bowls and top with green onions, sesame seeds and cilantro. Serve with additional soy sauce, sriracha or chili crisp, if desired.

    Keeping Steady with Your Physical Therapist’s Help

    As we get older, sometimes it can be a bit harder to keep our balance. Fortunately, our physical therapists are here to help you stay steady and prevent falls.  When you visit Baylife, you’ll get checked to see how well you can walk, how strong your muscles are, and how balanced you feel while standing. We’ll also provide some tips to make homes safer.

    Here are some ways our physical therapists help:

    • Understanding Your Movement: We’ll check how you walk and move to find the best way to help you.
    • Custom Exercises: We’ll teach targeted exercises to make your muscles stronger and improve your balance.
    • Safety Tips for Your Home: We provide guidance on how to make your home safer so you won’t trip or fall, like putting up bars to hold onto in the bathroom or making sure all rooms have enough light.

    Visit Baylife for More Tips!

    Our team will work to help you feel more confident when walking so you don’t have to worry about falling. So, if you want to make sure that you or a loved one are walking safely and confidently, give us a call!

    Request Appointment
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