As the years gracefully pass, our hands bear witness to the many stories they have woven into our lives. From cradling precious newborns to expertly crafting works of art, our hands are truly timeless treasures that deserve tender loving care.

However, as we age, maintaining hand mobility becomes more challenging and requires specialised attention. That’s where hand physiotherapy shines – a holistic approach designed to rejuvenate aging hands and restore their dexterity.

In this blog post, we will explore how trusted hand physio South Auckland can help seniors regain control over their gripping strength and flexibility, enabling them to continue embracing life’s every touch with grace and confidence.

What is Hand Physiotherapy?

As we age, it’s not uncommon for our hands to feel less mobile and dexterous than they once were. This can make simple tasks like cooking, cleaning, and grooming much more difficult. Hand physiotherapy is a type of therapy that can help improve the mobility and function of your hands.

Hand physiotherapy consists of exercises and activities that are specifically designed to improve the strength, dexterity, and range of motion in your hands. These exercises can help to improve your ability to perform everyday tasks and can also reduce pain and stiffness in your hands.

Hand physiotherapy is an effective treatment for a variety of conditions that can cause problems with hand mobility, including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and stroke. If you are experiencing difficulty with hand movement or pain in your hands, talk to your doctor about whether hand physiotherapy may be right for you.

Benefits of Hand Physiotherapy for Seniors

Hand physiotherapy can help seniors maintain hand mobility, flexibility and function. By working on specific exercises that target the muscles and joints in the hand, seniors can regain or maintain their independence in activities of daily living. Hand physiotherapy can also help to reduce pain and stiffness in the hands.

1. Leisure Activities: Hand physiotherapy can be beneficial in maintaining and improving the longevity of seniors’ abilities for leisure activities such as knitting, playing cards, sports, golf or gardening.
Many seniors may also enjoy writing letters or journaling, which hand physiotherapy can help to maintain an excellent grip and dexterity.

2. Improved Functionality: Oftentimes, seniors experience difficulty with everyday tasks that require the use of their hands, such as dressing, eating and writing, due to pain in the joints and muscles of the upper limb.
With rehabilitation exercises targeting these areas, there can be improved functionality – allowing them to carry out these daily tasks knowing they have better mobility in their hands than before therapy started.

3. Reduced Symptoms of Arthritis: Seniors are more prone to developing arthritis due to their age and lack of physical activity over the years. Osteoarthritis is found most commonly in the thumb base joint, knuckles (metacarpal-phalangeal joints) and wrists (radiocarpal joint).

Regular stretching, strengthening exercises and massage techniques over the affected joints can help reduce symptoms caused by arthritis, such as stiffness and aching pain, as well as improve the range of motion.

How to Prepare for Hand Physiotherapy Sessions with a Senior?

Assuming your elderly loved one has been cleared by a doctor to participate in hand physiotherapy, there are a few things you can do as a caregiver to help them get the most out of their sessions.

First, help them to identify and articulate their goals for therapy. It may be as simple as regaining the ability to do everyday tasks like buttoning a shirt or writing a check, or they may have more ambitious goals like playing the piano again. Whatever their goals, be sure to communicate them to the therapist prior to the start of therapy.

Next, depending on your loved one’s level of mobility and independence, you may need to assist with transportation to and from therapy appointments. Once at the appointment, you may also need to help them get settled in and positioned for treatment.

Be prepared to offer emotional support during what can sometimes be an emotionally challenging process. Hand physiotherapy can be difficult as it often brings up memories of past abilities that may no longer be possible. Be patient and encourage your loved one throughout their therapy journey.

How to Choose the Right Therapy and Therapist for Seniors?

As we age, our bodies go through changes that can make everyday activities more difficult. This is especially true for our hands, which can experience decreased mobility and dexterity. Hand physiotherapy can help seniors maintain hand mobility, preventing or delaying the need for surgery or other interventions.

But how do you know if hand physio South Auckland is right for you or your loved one? And how do you choose the right therapist?
Here are some things to consider when choosing a therapy therapist for seniors:

1. Type of Therapy: There are many different types of hand therapy, each with its own benefits. Be sure to discuss all options with a healthcare professional to find the best fit.

2. Level of Experience: It’s important to choose a therapist who has experience working with seniors. They will be familiar with the common challenges that come with aging hands and know how to tailor therapy accordingly.

3. Personality Match: It’s also important that you feel comfortable with your hand physio South Auckland therapist. Ask about their approach to therapy and be sure that it matches your needs and personality.

4. Location: If you’re considering travelling for therapy, be sure to factor in the cost and logistics of travel. Choose a location that is convenient and affordable for you or your loved one.

Common Exercises Used in Hand Physiotherapy

There are a number of exercises that are commonly used in hand physiotherapy to help seniors maintain hand mobility. These exercises can help to improve the range of motion, flexibility, and strength of the hands. Some common exercises that may be used include:

• Finger bends: Gently bend each finger back and forth at the joint. Do not force the finger if it is painful to do so.

• Hand stretches: Hold your hand out in front of you with the palm facing down. Use your other hand to gently stretch the fingers back. Hold for 30 seconds and then repeat with the other hand.

• Wrist rotations: Extend your arm out in front of you with the palm up. Use your other hand to rotate the wrist in a circular motion. Repeat 10 times in each direction.

• Finger lifts: Place your hand flat on a table or surface with the palm down. Slowly lift each finger one at a time, holding for a few seconds before lowering back down. Repeat 10 times for each finger.

Safety Precautions and Tips When Working with Elderly Patients

When working with elderly patients, it is important to take safety precautions and follow some basic tips to help prevent injuries. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

– Always use proper lifting techniques when moving or handling patients.
– Be careful when giving injections or performing other invasive procedures.
– Pay attention to the patient’s skin, nails, and hair, as these can be easily damaged.
– Keep an eye out for any signs of pain or discomfort.
– Respect the patient’s personal space and privacy.

Conclusion

Hand physiotherapy is a great way for seniors to keep their hands mobile and healthy as they age. With the help of experienced hand physio South Auckland therapists, seniors can manage issues that come with aging-related health conditions like arthritis while also preventing painful injuries from taking place.

As we have seen, hand physiotherapy not only helps improve basic dexterity but it can make everyday activities easier too. All this makes it an essential part of any senior’s wellness routine.