Physical Ailments with Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease
People with dementia or Alzheimer's Disease can experience a range of physical ailments. Here’s a detailed look at the challenges they may face and how our in-home physical therapy program can help.
Mobility Problems
Many people with dementia or at different stages of Alzheimer's Disease have trouble moving around. This can include:
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Difficulty Walking: They might shuffle, take small steps, or have a hard time starting to walk.
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Trouble Standing Up: Getting up from a chair or bed can be hard.
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Falling: Balance problems can lead to more falls.
Muscle Weakness
Muscles can become weak, making it hard to do everyday tasks like:
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Lifting Objects: Picking up and carrying things can be difficult.
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Getting Dressed: Buttons, zippers, and shoes can be tricky to manage.
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Eating: Holding utensils and feeding oneself can be challenging.
Joint Stiffness
Stiff joints can cause pain and limit movement. This can affect:
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Arms and Legs: Bending and straightening them can be tough.
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Hands and Fingers: Gripping objects and using tools can be hard.
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Neck and Back: Turning and bending can cause discomfort.
Balance Issues
Balance problems can make it hard to:
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Stand Steadily: Wobbling or swaying can happen.
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Walk Safely: They might trip or lose balance easily.
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Sit and Rise: Changing positions can be unsafe.
Coordination Problems
Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease can affect how well the body parts work together. This can lead to:
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Clumsiness: Dropping things or knocking them over.
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Poor Hand-Eye Coordination: Difficulty reaching for and grabbing objects.
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Slowed Movements: Taking longer to do tasks.
Pain and Discomfort
People with dementia or Alzheimer's Disease may not be able to explain where they hurt, but they can still feel:
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Muscle Pain: Soreness and aches in muscles.
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Joint Pain: Aching and stiffness in joints.
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Headaches: Pain in the head that can be hard to describe.
Fatigue and Low Energy
They may feel tired more often, leading to:
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Less Activity: Not wanting to move or exercise.
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More Naps: Sleeping during the day.
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Difficulty Staying Awake: Feeling sleepy even after resting.
Swallowing Problems
Swallowing can become difficult, causing:
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Choking: Trouble swallowing food or liquids.
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Coughing: Clearing the throat often.
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Eating Slowly: Taking longer to finish meals.
Communication Challenges
Physical issues can also affect how they communicate, including:
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Facial Expressions: Difficulty showing emotions through facial movements.
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Gestures: Trouble using hand signals or pointing.
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Speech: Problems speaking clearly or loudly enough.
How Achieva Rehabilitation Can Help
Our in-home physical therapy program can address these physical ailments by:
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Personalized Exercises: Tailored to improve strength, balance, and mobility.
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Stretching Programs: To keep joints flexible and reduce stiffness.
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Balance Training: To help prevent falls and improve stability.
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Strength Training: To build muscle strength and support daily activities.
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Coordination Activities: To enhance hand-eye coordination and overall movement.
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Pain Management: Techniques to reduce discomfort and improve comfort.
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Energy Boosting Exercises: Gentle activities to combat fatigue.
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Swallowing Exercises: Techniques to improve swallowing and reduce choking risks.
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Communication Support: Helping with facial and gesture exercises to improve non-verbal communication.
Contact Us
Achieva Rehabilitation provides one-on-one in-home physical therapy sessions in Pennsylvania with no distractions, ensuring that your loved one gets the attention they need.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help manage the physical ailments associated with dementia or Alzheimer's disease and improve quality of life. Move better, Feel better, Live better.
"So very fortunate to have had the chance for our family member to work with this team of amazing therapists mobile outpatient services. After completing home health care services, we were looking for outpatient for the next step for our loved one. This clinic is comprised of top notch physical therapists. Mobile sessions allow for patient to obtain services when leaving the home is challenging. Each therapist was very responsive to any needs or questions and helped our family member meet goals and remain home with a program to progress with strength, safety and independence! So very grateful for a very positive experience."
- Katie D.
