Geriatric physical therapy exercises are designed to effectively boost mobility without putting too much stress on an elderly body. At Savoy Medical Center, with locations in Eunice and Mamou, LA, a physical therapist will assess the needs of your loved one and recommend ideal exercises. The following are some of the most common and effective.

3 Easy Geriatric Physical Therapy Exercises

1. Standing on One Leg

Although it may seem like a fairly simple exercise, balancing on one leg is actually an ideal exercise for elderly people. Because they’re at a greater risk of falling and tripping than others, they need to develop their balance. At first, a physical therapist will simply recommend raising one leg up and trying to stand for progressively longer periods of time. Once a patient has developed confidence, it also helps to incorporate head turns. Some people may also want to attempt the exercise with their eyes closed once they feel comfortable.

2. Standing Up From a Chair

Watch the way elderly people rise from the seated position. Often, they rely on their arms to lift themselves up. This prevents them from developing the necessary balancing skills. To help them improve, geriatric physical therapy specialists recommend an exercise in which a patient sits comfortably on a chair with their arms folded over their chest, rising from the chair without assistance. Ideally, patients should be able to easily repeat this exercise five times. If they can’t, they still need to develop their balance.

3. Standing From a Kneeling Position

Elderly people often struggle to stand up from a kneeling position, making it difficult for them to play with their grandchildren or enjoy activities like gardening. In this exercise, a patient kneels on a soft but sturdy floor, proceeding to place their stronger foot in front of them and using it to help them rise from the ground. The opposite leg should trail behind so they can lower that knee back to the floor and repeat the process.

If you know an elderly person who could benefit from physical therapy, get in touch with Savoy Medical Center in Mamou and Eunice, LA. The specialists at this hospital will make sure they get the treatment they need. Contact them online for more information, or call (337) 468-5261 to schedule an appointment.