Why is Physical Therapy Important?

Physical therapy is especially important if your elderly loved one has recently been hospitalized, whether for an illness or an injury. Without it, he or she faces a number of risks that could put his or her health and wellbeing in danger. For example, elderly people who do not receive physical therapy following hospitalization will be more likely to suffer bad falls which, in turn, could lead to re-hospitalization and further problems. They are also at a greater risk of developing an infection, such as pneumonia or body sores and skin ulcers, which are caused by lack of movement.

Of course, having spent so much time in bed means that their strength and endurance is at an all-time low, and this can make doing things for themselves following hospitalization very difficult indeed. Physical therapy aids them in regaining their strength and endurance so that they can continue living as independently as possible for as long as possible.