Empowering Seniors with a Proactive Approach to Therapy

Research has shown that seniors who engage in preventative therapy experience numerous benefits, including:

1. Seek Professional Guidance: It is always advisable to consult a healthcare provider before embarking on any new exercise routine, including physical therapy.

2. Establish Attainable Objectives: Engage in a conversation with your therapist to discuss your aspirations. Whether it is regaining pain-free mobility or actively participating in a specific activity, setting realistic milestones will serve as a constant source of motivation.

3. Dedicate Yourself to Consistency: Consistency is the key to success. Ensure that you attend your scheduled therapy sessions and diligently follow the prescribed exercises at home.

4. Maintain Open Lines of Communication: Share any concerns or changes in your health with your therapist. By doing so, they can make necessary adjustments to your treatment plan accordingly.

Investing in preventative therapy can lead to substantial cost savings for seniors in the long run. Here’s how:

1. Lower Healthcare Costs: With improved physical function and reduced pain, individuals may require fewer visits to healthcare providers, specialists, and emergency departments, resulting in cost savings.

2. Reduced Medication Expenses: Preventative therapy can help manage chronic conditions more effectively, potentially leading to a reduced need for medications or lower dosages.

3. Avoiding Surgery Costs: With improved mobility and flexibility through therapy, seniors may lessen the likelihood of surgeries related to musculoskeletal issues, which can be quite expensive.

4. Improved Independence: Therapy can help seniors maintain their independence and delay the need for more expensive long-term care services.

Preventative therapy is an investment in your future health and financial well-being. Here are a few shocking statistics:

1. Exercise reduces the number of falls over time by around one quarter (23% reduction). If there were 850 falls in 1000 people followed over 1 year, exercise would result in 195 fewer falls (95%CI 144 to 246)

2. In 2015, the total medical costs for falls totaled more than $50 billion. Medicare and Medicaid shouldered 75% of these costs.

3. According to a study conducted by the Moran Company, use of PT as a first intervention for lower back pain resulted in 19% lower costs to the Medicare program when compared with injections as a first intervention, and 75% lower costs when compared with surgery as a first intervention.

4. Per the US Dept of Health and Human Services, “Not getting enough physical activity comes with high health and financial costs. It can lead to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and obesity. Physical inactivity also costs the nation $117 billion a year for related health care.”

If you are a senior and are considering occupational, physical and/or speech-language therapy, here are some tips that might be useful for you.

1. Seek Professional Guidance: It is always advisable to consult a healthcare provider before embarking on any new exercise routine, including physical therapy.

2. Establish Attainable Objectives: Engage in a conversation with your therapist to discuss your aspirations. Whether it is regaining pain-free mobility or actively participating in a specific activity, setting realistic milestones will serve as a constant source of motivation.

3. Dedicate Yourself to Consistency: Consistency is the key to success. Ensure that you attend your scheduled therapy sessions and diligently follow the prescribed exercises at home.

4. Maintain Open Lines of Communication: Share any concerns or changes in your health with your therapist. By doing so, they can make necessary adjustments to your treatment plan accordingly.