Physical Therapy for Dementia
Nearly all types of dementia are incurable, and individuals with this diagnosis rely on a variety of treatments to manage their symptoms. For example, a wide variety of medications are used to boost levels of certain chemicals in the brain and to treat other symptoms that frequently occur simultaneously with dementia, such as depression or sleep issues. Hands-on therapies are also being increasingly shown to help with certain behavioral and physical problems and may provide a non-drug approach to symptom management. Therefore, your practitioner may recommend physical therapy for you or for your loved one who is dealing with dementia.
Well-being Benefits of Physical Therapy
While physical therapy seems as if it would most impact physical health, it can also improve emotional health. This type of personalized care looks for ways to incorporate favorite activities into one’s regular plan of care. Doing something enjoyable is particularly important to dementia patients as it improves comfort. Additionally, the personalized care experienced through regular physical therapy helps to build relationships with the patient, decreasing stress. In fact, some reports show that strong social connections may actually be able to decrease the rate of cognitive deterioration.
