How Frequently Should a Senior Adult Schedule Physical Therapy Appointments?

Knowing how frequently your senior adult should see a physical therapist is important. Unfortunately, the frequency of appointments isn’t one-size fits-all. It depends on various factors, including the senior health condition and rehabilitation goals. As such, the frequency ranges from once a week to once every month or as needed. Below are the top determinants of appointment frequencies with a qualified physical therapist.

1. Unique Health Needs

Your physical therapist will schedule appointments based on the senior adults’ specific health needs. One of the pros of being a physical therapist is the ability to plan and implement treatment or rehabilitation plans based on unique patient needs. Ideally, seniors who have undergone surgery benefit from frequent appointments. This might be several sessions weekly.

On the other hand, appointments for seniors with chronic conditions like arthritis are adjusted based on their presenting symptoms. They typically range from weekly to monthly sessions. Senior adults with chronic pain also have customized physical therapy sessions. However, regular sessions help in pain management and improve their quality of life. The same applies to aging seniors with functional decline. Ongoing sessions help functionally declining seniors maintain their independence.

2. Health Conditions

The aging adults’ general health condition is also a significant determiner of scheduled appointment frequency. While seniors age differently, most of them suffer from age-related health conditions. Common health issues that affect the frequency of appointments include:

• Neurological conditions: Frequent physical therapy is crucial for aging adults with stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological conditions. Such patients require more sessions to address their rehabilitation needs.
• Geriatric conditions: Seniors with sarcopenia, frailty, and other balance disorders can benefit from specialized physical therapy sessions. Individual goals of maintaining independence and quality of life determine the frequency of these appointments.
• Orthopedic conditions: Aging adults with orthopedic conditions like arthritis and joint replacement require ongoing sessions to improve mobility and function. However, the frequency may vary depending on severity and individual response to therapy.

Generally, the physical therapist will evaluate your senior adult and curate personalized sessions based on the unique conditions facing the older adult.

3. Recommendations from Other Healthcare Providers

Physical therapists also factor in recommendations from other healthcare providers when determining physical therapy sessions. For instance, healthcare providers may suggest frequent sessions based on the adults’ medical history. Insights from healthcare providers not only guide the frequency of these sessions but also the type of physical therapy interventions needed.

Therapists use information from other healthcare providers to guide various aspects of their sessions. For instance, healthcare providers conduct functional assessments to determine the seniors’ current level of functioning. They also use this information to identify and recommend specific areas that need improvement to physical therapists.

Similarly, healthcare providers are better positioned to determine the risk of complications. Unique factors may influence the frequency of physical therapy sessions. Therapists should work together with healthcare service providers to meet senior patient’s goals.

Endnote

Therapists play an important role in senior adults’ health and well-being. However, determining the frequency of appointments is an extensive process, and many factors should be considered. Unique health needs and rehabilitation goals of the senior should be prioritized.