As we age, most of us hope to experience a lifestyle that is fun, rewarding, and meaningful.  Maintaining mobility and independence are fundamental components to aging well.  Unfortunately, too many older adults in the United States experience chronic disease, illness, and debility.  Some of the most common chronic illnesses facing older adults (such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, pulmonary diseases, and neurological disorders) are sadly considered a normal part of the aging process, when in fact they are not.

Although chronic disease, illness, and debility are common in today’s society, it’s not part of a normal aging process.  The normal aging process should allow you to maintain your most basic mobility and independence until the end of life.  To insure this happens, it’s critical to be proactive about the aging process.

Physical therapy can be an important and integral component to aging well.  As a physical therapist (PT), I’m a strong advocate for all older adults to see a physical therapist at least one time per year for a movement and functional screening examination.  This is an opportunity to develop an exercise and training prescription to address any new physical issues or impairments that are starting to occur.  A PT can help to establish a preventative training program that allows you to identify any areas of concern (such as decreasing balance, accelerated loss of muscle or bone mass).

Many of the most common chronic illnesses or impairments start off as somewhat minor annoyances.  However, when left untreated, they can develop into debilitating and life changing impairments.

For example, a case of knee pain left untreated can progress and slowly limit your function.  This can eventually lead to severe muscle weakness, ongoing chronic pain, and the loss of your ability to perform even the most basic tasks (such as standing up from a chair or toilet and walking independently).

Now imagine if your knee pain was proactively dealt with.  During your PT evaluation, you work with your PT to develop an individualized exercise and stretching prescription.  Upon implementation, your knee pain resolves!  Now you have a preventative training program to decrease your risk of developing knee pain again.  In addition, you’re set up for success in continuing your healthy and active lifestyle as part of aging well.

A yearly PT evaluation, including the opportunity to develop an individualized training program, is essential in order to address any physical impairment early in the process.  Taking a proactive stance to address noted physical impairments is a critical step in insuring a health aging process while maintaining mobility and independence which is vital to age well. 

If you’re interested in learning more about how physical therapy can help you to age successfully and improve your health span, be sure to subscribe to my e-mail list and YouTube channel as well as join our community on Facebook by liking The Physical Therapy Advisor!