Physiotherapy and Active Aging

Aging is the process of becoming older. In the context of this write up it refers especially to human beings, as the term has been defined much more broadly.  One need to understand and remember well that aging is not a disease but a process of becoming older which involves both biological and psychological change.  Further, aging is not a cause of one’s death.  At a biological level, molecular and cellular damage occurs which leads to a decrease in physiological reserve and the increased risk of many diseases. Even in healthy and active people; strength, endurance, bone density and flexibility all decline at a rate of approximately 10% per decade. Muscle power is lost faster than this, at a rate of about 30% per decade. This can lead to a decrease in a person’s level of function.

The World Health Organization encourages regular physical activity for older adults, because it has been shown to improve the functional status and quality of life in this group of individuals. http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/factsheet_olderadults/en/ It says that older adults should engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity five days a week, if appropriate. 

At Ceylinco Assured Care Center we offer a physiotherapy facility both with qualified, experienced physiotherapists and updated equipment to carry out 

• comprehensive assessments, 
• analyses of data gathered in assessments, 
• formulate customized therapy plans including specific physiotherapeutic interventions, structured exercise programs, advice on physical activity, posture, balance, falls prevention etc. 
• implementation of proposed therapy plans, 
• determine the outcomes, and 
• make recommendations for self-management.  

Physiotherapy and Physiotherapist

Physiotherapy (is also referred to as Physical Therapy in some countries) is a health care profession concerned with human function and movement to bring the physical capabilities of a person to be at its best.  In other words, it is concerned with improving the quality of life. 

Physiotherapy uses physical approaches and uses different forms of physical energy (heat/cold, electricity, sound waves etc.) as the medium of therapy (treatment), in contrast to medicines and surgical procedures.  It is an entity that is supplementary, and sometimes complementary to medicine and/or surgery. While a patient receiving a course of antibiotics for lung infection will have an enhanced effect with a parallel course of chest physiotherapy, a patient undergoing hip joint replacement operation, may not achieve independence in walking without a course of physiotherapy given to him. Physiotherapy knows the science of healing and the art of caring.  

Physiotherapist (is also called a Physical Therapist in some countries) is a health care professional who has undergone an intense training and has obtained a qualification of Bachelor or Higher Diploma level.  He/ she further need to register with the Sri Lanka Medical Council to obtain the authority to practise in Sri Lanka ensuring safe and efficient provision of services within the discipline physiotherapy for healthcare seekers.  

According to the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) description, Physical therapists are qualified and professionally required to:

• Undertake a comprehensive examination/assessment of the patient/client or needs of a client group
• Evaluate the findings from the examination/assessment to make clinical judgments regarding patients/clients
• Formulate a diagnosis, prognosis and plan
• Provide consultation within their expertise and determine when patients/clients need to be referred to another healthcare professional
• Implement a physical therapist intervention/treatment program
• Determine the outcomes of any interventions/treatments
• Make recommendations for self-management.

MEMORY CLINIC (DEMENTIA)

Memory impairment may be the early sign of a disorder called dementia among the elderly. Dementia means a progressive decline in the ability to remember, to think and to reason. There are several diseases that may cause dementia and your doctor will be the one to differentiate Alzheimer’s disease from other types of dementia. However, you should know what the signs and symptoms of dementia are, so that you will know when to consult the doctor. Early intervention will help to manage the disease better.

SCREENING TOOL FOR DEMENTIA

Check the boxes that describe the problem you have.

•    Memory loss (Forget appointment, cannot recall recent events or conversations)
•    Misplacing objects & thinking someone has stolen them.
•    Disorientation (get confused in unfamiliar places, do not know the time or year, could not find your way home)
•    Speaking (forget the names of simple, well known objects, use inappropriate words, repeat words & statements)
•    Loss of interest in hobbies and personal activities, avoid activities you used to enjoy.
•    Recognizing friends, co-workers or family members (forget who are grandchildren, think friends are strangers)
•    Performing complex tasks (keep cheque book, count money, use the telephone)
•    Troublesome behaviour (aggressiveness)
•    Poor personal hygiene (forget to brush teeth, dress slowly or in inappropriate clothing, forget to take a bath)

If you have experienced any of the above statements, there is a possibility that you may be at risk of developing dementia or other medical problems.

Please contact +94112490290 for further details.

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