Home Based Program of Exercise & Safety Precautions Shown to Extend Lives of Seniors

A Comination of Physical Therapy, household changes added 3.5 years on average according to study.

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University's Center for Applied Research on Aging and health in Philadelphia found in a study that a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy and home modifications enabled senior citizens on average to live 3.5 years longer than those who did not have the interventions. 

What makes this noteworthy is that none of the researchers were expecting any survival benefit at all in the study.  It appears to have been a serendipitous finding. 

The control group of patients (those who didn't get the home interventions), there was a 21% mortality rate.   This is a startling finding.

The study included 319 people with an average age of 79 who were still living at home but were just beginning to encounter some functional challenges.  Challenges could've included bending to pick up an object or inability to open jars, to more complicated tasks such as getting in and out of the bathtub, or dressing oneself any longer.

Therapists consulted with the seniors an average of five times, making recommendations on how to perform tasks they could not previously do, and in making some modifications around the home to improve safety and conserve energy. 

There was also a balance assessment and training on fall prevention and fall recovery. 

The study director noted anecdotally that many of the participants who had the intervention noted significant "physical, social, and psychological benefits", with many reporting that they felt as though they 'had their life back' and they had recovered 'a sense of control' back in their life. 

If you or a senior you know would be interested in a home assessment and consultation, please call our office and set up a time to talk with us.