People with physical therapy jobs are particularly helpful when it comes to enhancing movement following surgical procedures or other medical issues that demand attention, according to the Wellesley Townsman.
Roughly one in three people age 65 or older fall every year, which becomes the leading cause of injury for this demographic. The elderly are especially at a loss due to compromised bone strength, mobility and balance, which underscores the importance of physical therapy.
"Physical therapy increases patients' general flexibility, adds strength, and improves fitness and mobility," registered physical therapist Barbara Coleman with the Natick, Massachusetts Visiting Nurse Association told the publication. "As physical therapists we are able to recommend the safest mobility assistive devices for patients, depending on their unique situation, and help them learn how to use them. And physical therapy for older patients also boosts their confidence as they become more skilled at navigating daily life – climbing the steps they once struggled with, or maneuvering that narrow path down the driveway."
Elderly people who fall often fracture their hips, which typically requires a one-week hospital stay. Physical therapy is vital to their recovery.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly six of 10 people holding physical therapy jobs conduct their work in hospitals or the offices of other healthcare practitioners.