Physiotherapy for Dementia
Specialist neurological physiotherapy can help a person with dementia improve their physical function (mobility, balance, coordination and strength) making everyday tasks easier.
Physiotherapy treatment will promote your independence in daily life by enhancing your health and well being as well as your mobility. Dementia affects everyone differently so physiotherapy treatment will be tailored to your needs.
Physiotherapy also plays an important role in advising and supporting family and/or carers to live easier lives by reducing stress levels.
Physiotherapy treatment will also target difficulties associated with ageing such as limited range of movement, swelling, pain and increased risk of falling. Physiotherapy is focused on:
- Exercises to increase joint range of movement and muscle strength making daily tasks easier to achieve such as climbing the stairs and getting in and out of bed.
- Balance training to help improve confidence and reduce the risk of falling.
- Gait re-education and encouraging normal patterns of movement improving mobility and functional ability.
- Stretching of tight muscles to prevent muscles and joint becoming stiff.
- Advise on devices for the home environment or mobility aids, such as walking sticks to increase safety and promote functional abilities
- Increasing motivation and decreasing fear or anxiety.
- A thorough assessment will be carried out in your home looking at furniture, footwear and clothing as well as your physical ability in order to promote your safety and independence.
A person with dementia will benefit from neurological physiotherapy. Physiotherapy treatment will improve your independence and quality of life.