Falls are the #1 cause of injury-related hospitalizations in older adults.

• Needs: Gait training, vestibular assessment, home safety education.

• Focus: Strengthening lower extremities, improving proprioception, and dual-task balance.

• Stats: 1 in 4 Americans over 65 falls each year (CDC).

From joint replacements to rotator cuff repairs, seniors need guided recovery.

• Needs: ROM, strength, gait, and return-to-life rehab.

• Considerations: Modified protocols due to comorbidities and age-related healing changes.

Maintaining independence in activities like dressing, cooking, or getting out of a chair.

• Needs: Task-specific strengthening, transfer training, and postural control.

• Tools: Sit-to-stand drills, stair negotiation, assistive device training.

• Goal: Reduce reliance on others and avoid premature assisted living.

Stiffness isn’t just a symptom—it’s a limiter of independence.

• Needs: Targeted stretching, posture education, and ergonomic support.

• Common Fixes: Thoracic mobility, hip extension, hamstring length.iption

Many seniors deal with osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, or long-term postural dysfunctions.

• Needs: Joint mobilizations, manual therapy, education in joint protection strategies.

• Focus: Pain reduction through movement and tissue loading.

As endurance and VO2 max decline, deconditioning is a real threat.

• Needs: Safe aerobic progression (walking, cycling), breathing exercises, energy conservation techniques.

• Bonus: Improved tolerance for social and community participation.

Dual-tasking becomes more difficult as cognitive load and mobility compete.

• Needs: Motor-cognitive training, multitask drills (e.g., walking while answering questions).

• Relevance: Especially important in early cognitive decline or mild dementia.

Isolation is a major concern—and group PT or home visits can help.

• Needs: Encouragement, patient education, and supportive accountability.

• Bonus: Regular PT visits are often the most consistent health contact a senior has.