A guide for seniors undergoing rehabilitation | column | 日常で気軽に実践できる片麻痺のリハビリ方法や機能を低下させない生活習慣などを解説

Rehabilitation can be received not only at a hospital or facility, but can also be continued at home. By learning rehabilitation methods suited to each environment, you can work on it more effectively.

Home rehabilitation for the elderly

Home rehabilitation has the advantage that it is easy to incorporate into daily life and is easy to continue. By doing stretching and light strength training within a reasonable range, you can prevent the decline of physical function.

In addition, support from family and caregivers will make it easier to continue rehabilitation. Deciding on a time to do rehabilitation and making it a habit is also key to continuing.

Rehabilitation for the elderly in facilities

At day care centers and geriatric health facilities, rehabilitation is carried out with the support of specialized staff, allowing patients to receive more effective programs. Each facility has different programs available, and patients can choose either group rehabilitation or individual rehabilitation.

In addition to rehabilitation, the facility also provides support with meals and bathing, allowing for comprehensive care. By using the day service, residents can receive regular rehabilitation while remaining at home.

Specialized rehabilitation in hospitals

Rehabilitation at a hospital is carried out under the guidance of a doctor and with the professional support of physical therapists and occupational therapists. Appropriate rehabilitation at a hospital is particularly essential after a stroke or fracture.

In hospital rehabilitation, a step-by-step program is designed to help patients transition smoothly into life after discharge.

Reasons why elderly people dislike rehabilitation and countermeasures

It is important to continue rehabilitation, but some elderly people dislike rehabilitation. Reasons for this include pain, fatigue, lack of motivation, and a lack of effectiveness.

Elderly rehabilitation is an essential effort to extend healthy life expectancy and maintain an independent lifestyle. As we age, problems such as decreased muscle strength and joint range of motion and difficulty walking occur. Therefore, appropriate rehabilitation can help maintain physical function and improve the quality of daily life.

Rehabilitation not only improves physical health, but also helps maintain mental health and promotes social interaction. Continuing rehabilitation allows patients to continue living an active life, which increases the fulfillment of their lives.

The goals of rehabilitation include:

Continuing rehabilitation can help achieve these goals and enable seniors to live healthy, independent lives.

Basic Concepts of Elderly Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation for the elderly should be implemented as a comprehensive program, not just exercise. What is particularly important is improving the "quality of life (QOL)." The purpose of rehabilitation is not simply to recover from illness or injury, but to enable the elderly to live their own lives.

Rehabilitation includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, etc. By combining these therapies, we not only achieve physical recovery, but also improve activities of daily living (ADL) and promote participation in social activities.

There are three possible rehabilitation models:

1. Preventive rehabilitation
• This is done by healthy elderly people to prevent future decline in physical function.
• The focus is on light exercise and balance training.




2. Restorative rehabilitation
• Aim to recover from illness or injury.
• A specialized rehabilitation program is required.




3. Maintenance rehabilitation
• Maintain current function and prevent deterioration.
• Regular exercise and support are important.

It is important to understand these rehabilitation concepts and choose the method that is appropriate for each situation.

Up to what age can elderly people undergo rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation can be undertaken regardless of age, but many people are concerned about up to what age it is actually effective. In conclusion, rehabilitation can be expected to be effective at any age.

Even in old age, muscle growth and the ability of the nervous system to adapt are maintained, and appropriate exercise can help restore muscle strength and improve balance. In fact, there have been many reported cases of people in their 80s and 90s regaining their ability to walk through rehabilitation.

The "principle of reversibility" is particularly important in elderly rehabilitation, meaning that physical function can be restored regardless of age if appropriate exercise is continued.

However, to get the most out of your rehabilitation, it is important to continue doing the exercises within reasonable limits. As you get older, strenuous exercise can actually put a strain on your body, so you need to be careful of the following points.

• Create a program tailored to your individual physical condition. Exercising too much can put strain on your joints and muscles, so it is recommended that you do it under the guidance of an expert.
• Consistency is important . It is more important to continue rehabilitation even for a short time every day than to do it once or twice a week.
• Setting clear , specific goals will help you stay motivated.

Home rehabilitation is very effective as it can be easily done in a home environment. Home rehabilitation has the advantage that it is easy to continue because it does not require the trouble of going to a medical facility and can be done together with family or caregivers. Rehabilitation menus include those aimed at improving daily living activities, strength training, and balance training.

Strength training includes hand and foot strengthening exercises using light dumbbells or plastic bottles, such as leg lifts and arm stretches that can be done while seated. These are important for maintaining strength.

Balance training. Elderly people are prone to falling, so rehabilitation to improve their sense of balance is essential. For example, there is training in which you stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and keep your eyes closed for five seconds. This develops balance ability that does not rely on vision.

Home rehabilitation equipment includes stability balls, trampolines, exercise mats, etc. These equipment provide support to make home rehabilitation more effective.

Below is a list of some typical home rehabilitation options:

Rehabilitation at home can be done at your own leisure, which increases the likelihood of continued rehabilitation. With the support of family and caregivers, rehabilitation can be carried out more effectively.

Utilizing rehabilitation and day care services for the elderly at facilities

Institutional rehabilitation is a very effective option for seniors who need medical assistance, as it is equipped with specialized equipment and programs. In particular, nursing homes and day care centers provide rehabilitation tailored to individual needs. Institutional rehabilitation is characterized by expert guidance and social interaction with other users of the same age.

Day service rehabilitation is a place where elderly people who are able to go out can refresh both their mind and body. Many day service facilities offer rehabilitation menus tailored to each individual. Rehabilitation menus include exercise programs aimed at maintaining physical strength and strengthening muscles, as well as memory training to prevent dementia.

In addition, the facility also offers rehabilitation using exercise equipment, allowing residents to recover their strength more effectively. Exercise bikes and treadmills are used, allowing residents to adjust the intensity of their exercise.

The table below shows an example of the functional training menu provided at our day service center.

Rehabilitation at the facility is supported by doctors, nurses, and physical therapists, so you can use it with peace of mind. A major advantage is that even if you have physical limitations, you can receive individualized rehabilitation.

Specialized rehabilitation and physiotherapy in hospitals

Rehabilitation at a hospital is the most specialized method and has the most comprehensive medical support. Rehabilitation at a hospital is especially important when you are trying to recover from an illness or injury. We provide specialized physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech therapy (ST) to help patients recover their physical functions.

The biggest advantage of rehabilitation at a hospital is that rehabilitation can be performed using specialized equipment under the supervision of a doctor. For example, electrical stimulation therapy, ultrasound therapy, and muscle training can be performed. In addition, rehabilitation is individually tailored to the patient's symptoms, so you can expect effective recovery.

Physical therapists (PT) aim to restore physical function by strengthening muscles and providing walking training. Occupational therapists (OT) improve daily living activities and contribute to dementia prevention. Speech therapists (ST) aim to restore speech and swallowing functions.

Rehabilitation is an important way for the elderly to improve the quality of their daily lives. By incorporating an appropriate menu, it is expected that motor function can be maintained and improved. In this article, we will explain in detail effective rehabilitation menus for the elderly.

Walking training menu Differences between at home and at day care centers

Walking training is an important form of rehabilitation for the elderly to live an independent life. The environment and support provided differs between home and day care centers. Understand the characteristics of each and choose the appropriate method.

Walking training at home

Walking training at home has the advantage that it is easy to incorporate into daily life and easy to continue. The following menu is recommended.

• Indoor walking : Walk within a safe range while using furniture and handrails.
• Going up and down stairs : Use the handrail to prevent falling and go up and down stairs slowly.
• One-legged standing training : Stand on one leg using a wall or chair as support to improve balance ability.

  Walking training at day care centers

At our day service center, more planned walking training is possible under the guidance of specialized staff.

Rehabilitation for the elderly is an essential element in helping them live their daily lives more independently. As we age, muscle strength and balance decline, raising concerns about falls and a decline in quality of life, but appropriate rehabilitation can address these challenges. In particular, strength training, balance training, and activities to improve cognitive function can help prevent falls and fractures.

For example, research has shown that rehabilitation can improve muscle strength and balance, reducing the risk of falling by up to 30%. In addition, by receiving rehabilitation at day care centers or facilities, you can safely and efficiently maintain your physical functions while receiving professional support.

Simple rehabilitation methods that can be done at home include chair squats and one-legged standing training. These are easy to incorporate into your daily life, and you can see results by continuing them. However, pushing yourself too hard can have the opposite effect, so it's important to do them within your limits. For example, you can make your rehabilitation more effective by adjusting your rehabilitation menu to suit your physical condition.

On the other hand, reasons why elderly people dislike rehabilitation include pain, fatigue, and lack of motivation. However, by staying within their limits and finding ways to continue while having fun, they can make rehabilitation last longer.

By continuing rehabilitation, elderly people can maintain their independent lifestyles for a long time and maintain their physical and mental health. Deepening your understanding of rehabilitation and selecting an appropriate program for you under the guidance of a specialist is the first step towards a healthy life.

Power Assist Series Supports Hemiplegia Rehabilitation - LAP Corporation

LAP Corporation has developed and provides the Power Assist Series to support rehabilitation at home for people with hemiplegia due to cerebral infarction or accidents. This series is a robot that uses air pressure to gently move paralyzed joints in the fingers, ankles, and wrists to assist rehabilitation training. It can be easily used at home, enabling continuous rehabilitation. The product lineup includes the Power Assist Hand for fingers, the Power Assist Leg for ankles, and the Power Assist Wrist for wrists, and is compatible with the rehabilitation of each part of the body. Through these rehabilitation assistance robots, we will contribute to the recovery of function and improvement of the quality of life of everyone.

LAP Co., Ltd.
address	2-1-40 Oikawa, Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 243-0212
phone	046-204-9343

inquiry

Q. How long should elderly rehabilitation last?

A. The duration of rehabilitation depends on whether the goal is recovery or maintenance/prevention. In general, rehabilitation for strokes and fractures is recommended to be intensive for about 3 to 6 months. On the other hand, rehabilitation for muscle weakness due to aging and for the prevention of dementia should be continued for a long period of time. To maximize the effect of rehabilitation, it is important to decide the appropriate frequency and duration in consultation with a doctor or physical therapist.

Q. Who should undergo rehabilitation?

A. Rehabilitation is suitable not only for those who are trying to recover from illness or injury, but also for those who want to maintain their health and improve their quality of life (QOL). Specifically, it is suitable for those who want to recover their motor function after a stroke, those who want to improve the range of motion of their joints due to fractures or joint diseases, those at high risk of falling, those who want to prevent muscle loss, and those who want to prevent dementia. If you feel the need for rehabilitation, it is important to consult a doctor or specialist and receive an appropriate program.

Q. Are there any tips for continuing rehabilitation at home?

A. In order to continue rehabilitation at home, it is important to incorporate exercise into your daily life. For example, doing rehabilitation naturally as part of your daily life, such as standing on one leg while preparing meals, doing squats while brushing your teeth, or stretching while watching TV, will make it easier to continue. It is also effective to get help from your family or use smartphone reminders to make it a habit. Another key to continuing rehabilitation at home is to make use of visiting rehabilitation services and day care services. The key to success is to find a way to continue rehabilitation at home without straining yourself and having fun.

Company name: LAP Co., Ltd.
Location: 2-1-40 Oikawa, Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 243-0212
Telephone number: 046-204-9343