How Rehabilitation Services Help You Embrace Aging

HOW REHABILITATION SERVICES HELP YOU EMBRACE AGING Aging can be fun! It's a fact that as we age, our bodies change. But there is so much we can do – such as exercise and eating a healthy diet – to make those changes as gradual as possible. Thanks to the modern marvels of physical, occupational and speech therapies, relief and fulfillment are always obtainable. These are some possible changes you may start to see in your body once you reach age 65. 10% of adults 65+ suffer from Alzheimer's Alzheimer's Nearly 3/4 of all strokes are in people 65+ Stroke 59% number of Americans 65+ Arthritis o afflicted with arthritis Back Pain o 2000 to 2010: Average of 3.2 million doctor visits per year due to back pain by patients 65+ Hip Replacement 2010: 1.4 million people 65+ visited doctors regarding hip pain Loss of Muscle Mass o On average there is a 30% loss of strength between ages 50-70 Diabetes o 30% 60-70%** with diabetes has some type of nerve pain THERAPIES TO INCREASE QUALITY OF LIFE PHYSICAL THERAPY (PT) • Focuses treatment on personal function – muscles, bones, joints or nerves • Can help with balance and endurance issues • Allows patients to participate in society • Increases confidence in being active OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (OT) • Assists with the ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLS) • May involve adaptive equipment (walker, bath benches, specialized kitchen utensils, etc.) • Helps with fine motor tasks (writing, buttoning a shirt, brushing teeth, etc.) • Helps to relearn common daily activities (bathing, dressing, eating, etc.) SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY (SLP) • Aids a patient's ability to communicate, eat and swallow safely • Beneficial to victims of stroke, cancer and lung diseases • Helps restore memory, problem solving, safety awareness and attention • Strengthens muscles in face, mouth and throat HEALTHY AGING TIPS A healthy person 65+ should be able to endure 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days per week that work all major muscle groups. Use all of your senses when learning something. The more senses that are involved in the learning process, the more your brain will be used to retain the memory. Be a lifelong learner. Incorporate activities such as reading, crossword puzzles and playing chess with friends. Decrease stress in your life by introducing exercise, deep breathing and meditation. Improve balance impairment with simple exercises such as lifting one foot off the ground. A chair can be used to help maintain balance. INFINITY REHAB: REACH FURTHER A Fall prevention Memory and language protocols T Gait training Seated lower extremity strengthening Standing upper and lower extremity strengthening S* Wound care Energy conservation 1 Home safety education Cognitive training T Standing balance training Dining training E Wheelchair mobility and transfer education www.infinityrehab.com Copyright © 2014 Infinity Rehab Infographic designed by Mad Fish SEO INFINITY REHAB Sources: American Occupational Therapy Association, CDC, Scientific American, Department of Research & Scientific Affairs, National Institutes of Health Reach further