IMPORTANCE OF THERAPY FOR THE AGEING POPULATION(OLD PEOPLE)

IMPORTANCE OF THERAPY TREATMENT FOR THE AGEING POPULATION (OLD PEOPLE)

          Ageing is a process in everyone life where a person becomes older having physical and structural changes in the process. It is an inevitable irreversible process of life. The elderly are persons aged 50 years and above, the elderly as they age have physical needs.
   The ageing process includes structural alterations and functional decline in the body systems with impairments and increased vulnerability to age-related diseases

        PHYSICAL AND FUNCTIONAL PROBLEMS ELDERLY (OLD PEOPLE) SUFFER

       Normal biological ageing causes a reduction in the body’s reserve capacity. These effects can be seen in all body systems through muscular, skeletal, neural circulatory respiratory aspects.The ageing process lowers the functional capacity of cells, organs and the entire body. The following are physical changes old people suffers.

1. BONES AND JOINTS PROBLEMS
             AS age increase, there is a gradual loss of bone mass in almost all humans, a total of 30% bone minerals can be lost by the age resulting in wear and tear in the bones and joints. 

          As they age, the cartilage, tendons and ligaments become stiffer and more rigid and a decreased flexibility and alteration in connective tissue. Their bodes starts to undergo degenerative changes of which osteoarthritis is one example.

2.    NEUROMUSCULAR SYSTEM CHANGES
 As they age, within their nervous system, there is a decrease in the number and size of neurons, nerve conduction velocity, maximal conduction frequency and increased connective tissue within the nerve. Hence, the information processing in the nervous system slows down with age.

Loss of brain cells, degeneration of cortical neurons and reduction in the number of cortical synapses are
examples of cerebral changes that occur with aging.

3.          CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS
 Cardiovascular performance deteriorates with age, high blood pressure is attributed to aging. prevalent disorders include high blood pressure, diabetes and raised cholesterol levels. 

4.     CEREBROVASCULAR DISORDERS

    Those older adults with high blood pressure or cholesterol levels are more prone to developing cerebrovascular accident CVA or stroke which is the second  largest cause of death and disabilities

    
                       PHYSICAL CHALLENGES OLD PEOPLE SUFFERS

1.  BACK PAIN (ACUTE AND CHRONIC)

Back pain may be attributed to degenerative changes related to the ageing process and lack of knowledge on back management by the elderly, lack of exercise. one biggest challenge the elderly face is  difficulties in performing important tasks.

2. MOBILITY (MOVEMENT PROBLEMS)
Multiple disabilities in the elderly results in impaired mobility, which means that access to services can often be a problem for them. They often find it difficult to navigate and get what they want around their surroundings. 

4.   MUSCLES PAINS 

Muscle aches pains and cramps are dominate in old people as a result of poor blood circulation due to poor exercise , inactivity, poor posture and movement and joint problems

5.   MUSCLE WEAKNESS 
 weakness is very common among the elderly. The muscle weakness could be due to inactivity and disuse of muscles, poor exercise and involvement in physical activities. Muscle weakness is also associated with aging, pain and neurological problems for older people. Muscle wasting occurs with age if they are not kept active.

6. JOINT PROBLEMS
Common joint problems are disorders of the musculoskeletal system that present in more than 50% of elderly above 65 years as arthritis. joint stiffness and joint pains etc

7. POOR EXERCISE
 Often times, the elderly find it difficult to involve in  activities due to musculo Skeletal problems

IMPORTANCE OF THERAPY TREATMENT FOR AGEING POPULATION (OLD PEOPLE)
The role of a therapist include the following

Pain management's and oedema control 
Therapeutic Massage to improve blood circulation and reduce muscle tightness and stiffness

Use of ice packs, heat packs and infrared lamp to improve blood circulation and reduce muscle tightness and stiffness and swelling

Muscle strengthening exercise

Use of electronic stimulators to strengthen core muscles

Modification of home environment to improve mobility

Recommending assistive and adaptive device such as wheelchairs, walkers, longhandle  reachers etc to aid mobility

WHAT TO DO WHEH YOU HAVE AN AGING RElATION

Visit the nearest hospital and book an appointment with a therapist : An occupational Therapist and a physiotherapists




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