physical therapist examining older womans leg

Geriatric Therapy

Improve strength, mobility, balance, and speech with geriatric therapy that addresses health and lifestyle challenges caused by aging.

What is geriatric physical therapy?

Physical therapy for the geriatric population focuses on optimizing function for aging adults. As we age, our bodies undergo wear and tear. Although this process is normal, it sometimes leads to pain and disability, causing patients to limit their activity or stop doing what they enjoy. Geriatric physical therapy can improve strength, mobility and balance to help the aging individual build confidence in staying active.

Normal changes can also occur with speech, language, memory and swallowing. In addition, some diseases such as stroke, Parkinson’s or dementia can also cause disorders related to these tasks. A speech language pathologist (SLP) combined with a geriatric speech therapy program can play an important role in addressing these changes whether related to the normal process of aging or disorders related to disease.

Benefits of geriatric physical and speech therapy

In both physical and speech therapy, we focus on your specific needs and goals. Benefits of geriatric physical and speech therapy include restoring mobility, reducing pain, increasing strength, and improving fitness. Exercises for breathing, swallowing, memory, and attention may also be used.

physical therapist examining an older mans elbow

What can geriatric physical therapy help with?

Our experienced geriatric physical and speech therapists can help you fight back against the general effects of aging, but also difficulties caused by:

  • Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
  • Osteopenia and osteoporosis
  • Cancer-related complications
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Joint replacement and other orthopedic surgeries
  • Neurological disorders
  • Stroke
  • Parkinson’s
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Vestibular and balance disorders
  • Complications related to obesity
  • Generalized weakness and loss of function
  • Aphasia
  • Dementia
  • Communication disorders
female physical therapist helping patient through exercises

Geriatric therapy resources

physical therapist and senior patient discussing physical therapy for weakness and aging
Geriatric Therapy

Benefits of Physical Therapy for Weakness and Aging

By world standards, the United States is a relatively young nation. But our elderly population is growing rapidly. The number of Americans aged 65 and...

what is generalized weakness
Blog

What Is The Cause of Generalized Weakness and Fatigue

Weakness and fatigue are two of the most common nonspecific medical complaints clinicians encounter. And because they are linked to so many different medical conditions,...

Geriatric Therapy resources

physical therapist and senior patient discussing physical therapy for weakness and aging
Geriatric Therapy

Benefits of Physical Therapy for Weakness and Aging

By world standards, the United States is a relatively young nation. But our elderly population is growing rapidly. The number of Americans aged 65 and...

what is generalized weakness
Blog

What Is The Cause of Generalized Weakness and Fatigue

Weakness and fatigue are two of the most common nonspecific medical complaints clinicians encounter. And because they are linked to so many different medical conditions,...

What to expect

Your first physical therapy appointment is about creating a personalized treatment plan based on your health history, diagnosis, and goals. Here’s what you can expect at your first physical therapy appointment:

Your first appointment will last about an hour. Please arrive 15 minutes early.

If applicable, bring your physician referral or prescription, insurance card, paperwork, ID, and co-payment.

At your appointment, we’ll do an initial evaluation and discuss your care plan.

*Services are not available at every location. Visit our Locations page for more details.

Physical therapy insurance & payment options

We work with most major insurance providers. Although coverage will vary from plan to plan, many physical therapy, occupational therapy and speciality therapy programs are covered under insurance. Learn more about our insurance coverage and self-pay options for physical therapy.