Fitness for Old People
Physiotherapists encourage elderly people to keep active with sensible exercises suited to their age and physical condition.
Why Exercise?
* Tone
* Circulation
* Strength
* Mobility
Exercise increases the heart rate, building up the heart muscle, and increasing oxygen supply to the body. The improved circulation helps give a feeling of well-being. Exercise helps to prevent stiffness in the joints and builds up the strength of surrounding muscles. If older people are physically inactive, the tendency towards stiffening with age is much more likely to happen. The general tone of your body improves with exercise. You feel firmer, fitter and more energetic. Exercise can also improve your ability to cope with stress and improve your quality of sleep.
Diet
Hand-in-hand with exercise is diet. Attention to the food you eat makes a great deal of difference to general health. A proper diet gives you the energy for exercise. Avoid constipation - this makes you feel listless and heavy. As you get older you generally find you need less to eat and your appetite may diminish. Be careful not to become lax about your eating habits such as missing meals or not choosing a balance of protein, fibre and carbohydrates.
Osteoporosis
A common problem for older women is osteoporosis - a condition which involves a loss of bone density. It often affects the spine, causes shrinkage in height, poor posture and backache. Research has shown that exercise is important in the prevention of osteoporosis.
How Your Physiotherapist Can Help
Physiotherapists are trained specifically on physical aspects of the human body. They are highly qualified to advise you on an individual graded exercise programme and help you monitor your progress. In some areas, physiotherapists run special fitness classes for the elderly. Check with your local branch of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
General
Physiotherapists in private practice are listed in the Yellow Pages. Members of the Australian Physiotherapists Association (APA) are bound by a professional Code of Ethics and have access to extensive postgraduate education programmes. Check for the initials M.A.P.A. after the physiotherapist's name.
Health Rebates
You may consult a physiotherapist either directly or by referral from your medical practitioner. Rebates for treatment costs are available under higher table health insurance schemes.