Physiotherapy for seniors that want to age in their home

The sit-to-stand (STS) transfer is a functional movement used multiple times each day to change from a sitting position to a standing position, and then often to walking.  The ability to transfer from a sitting position to a standing position is an important functional skill and is crucial if a one is to remain independent.   In the elderly population, an inability to perform a STS can lead to institutionalization, impaired functioning and limitations with activities of daily living (ADL).

To often physical frailty is seen as a fact of life for the elderly; conventional wisdom dictates seniors cannot expect a significant improvement in their capacity for functional movements.  While there is no physiological reason that seniors cannot expect to improve their strength and endurance, therapists have been reluctant to do it because STS training is labor intensive and takes time.  Once the senior has moved from their home into an institutional setting there is a heavy reliance on mechanical lifting devices to accomplish transfers.  Unfortunately, the extensive use of mechanical lifting and transferring devices eliminates the possibility for the senior to practice this skill as well as any chance of improvement.

Did you know that incontinence leads many seniors to move from their home or their children’s home into institutional care?  Did you also know that the inability to perform a sit-to-stand is highly correlated to what we call functional incontinence?  Functional incontinence occurs when the senior is capable of controlling their bladder function but simply cannot get up and make it to the bathroom in time.  Sit-to-stand training is the key to maintaining your independence and Physio In Motion physiotherapists are here to help you with physiotherapy in your home.

Key benefits of the STS training with Physio In Motion include:

  • Encourage weight bearing and active mobilization at the hips and knees
  • Improves standing balance and stability
  • Significantly improves the ability to complete transfers
  • Improves patient rehabilitation outcomes
  • Improves patient independence with ADLs

The sit-to-stand is an essential functional skill that can be effectively trained in less than two hours per week.  With the physiotherapy support provided by Physio In Motion, independent STS transfers are a realistic goal for many with limited mobility.  As an individual’s strength improves so will their ability to transfer independently or assist with transfers and further improvement can be expected as a result of these extra real life repetitions between training sessions.