The benefits of hydrotherapy for older adults
Hydrotherapy is a therapeutic technique in which water is the main therapeutic element. It is used in older adults to help treat and alleviate the symptoms of certain ailments. Treatments are performed in shallow pools under the guidance of a professional physiotherapist. The benefits of hydrotherapy can help improve the quality of life of older adults.
What is hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is the use of water for therapeutic purposes. It is a form of physical therapy that can be used to treat various diseases, injuries, and disorders. It is recommended for use in care homes for older people to alleviate and treat trauma-related, neurological, rheumatic, and post-operation ailments.
Grupo Casaverde is committed to using hydrotherapy in its pool facilities as part of an overall rehabilitative treatment plan. These pools are generally quite shallow, as being able to touch the bottom facilitates the work of the physiotherapist. These professionals are qualified to administer physical therapy treatments, as the knowledge they possess and apply in exercises directly influences and improves patients’ quality of life.
Hydrotherapy treatments are extremely beneficial because, as they are performed in an aquatic medium, there is less gravity. This improves mobility and makes movements easier for people with physical ailments (trauma-related, rheumatic, neurological, etc.) who have lost some of their motor skills.
Key benefits of hydrotherapy for older adults
The main benefits offered by this physiotherapy treatment include:
- Improves vascular circulation
- Strengthens the immune system
- Improves muscle tone
- Improves mood
- Improves breathing
- Encourages socialisation
- In addition to being healthy and fun, hydrotherapy is suitable for all ages.
Who can benefit from hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is commonly used in older people, especially those with diseases that affect their motor skills, injuries caused by joint wear and tear, or movement disorders.
People with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease can also benefit from hydrotherapy treatments. This disease affects muscle tone, coordination, balance, and even the ability to walk. These physical symptoms can be improved through aquatic physiotherapy.
Hydrotherapy does have certain contraindications and should not be used in patients with severe cardiopulmonary diseases, bowel or urinary incontinence, or infectious diseases, among others.
Hydrotherapy for older patients in Casaverde hospitals
Grupo Casaverde’s centres work with trained, specialised aquatic physiotherapy professionals, and they are committed to the use of hydrotherapy for improving symptoms of physical ailments or conditions. Treatments are always tailored to the individual needs of each patient. In Casaverde hospitals, hydrotherapy treatments for older adults are carried out in both individual and group settings. This adds an additional aspect of fun, motivation, and wellbeing to the physical benefits of hydrotherapy, all of which work to improve the quality of life of our patients.