Treatment of Vestibular Disorders for Seniors Adults and Others

According to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among individuals older than age 65; 25% of elderly individuals who sustain a hip fracture die within one year; and nearly 65,000 individuals older than age 65 sustain a traumatic brain injury annually as the result of a fall. And in a recent study evaluating disability in the elderly population, the results of which were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, "Hospital admissions for falls were most likely to lead to disability."1

How Fall Prevention & Rehabilitation therapy helps
At Fall Prevention & Rehabilitation, a licensed Physical Therapist will first perform a thorough evaluation. This includes observing posture, balance, movement, and compensatory strategies.

We use state-of-the art screening technology that allows our clinician to predict the probability of a fall. Our tests, particularly for senior adults and others suffering from vestibular disorders, takes only minutes and allows our clinicians to measure the risks of falling.  Unfortunately, in most cases for seniors we have found that that they suffer significant risks of falling, despite showing no symptoms.

Using the result of this evaluation, the therapist will develop an individualized treatment plan that will include exercises to be performed both in the therapy department and at home and that combine specific head and body movements with eye exercises. Many times, treatment may also include increasing activities and exercise in order to strengthen muscles and increase tolerance for certain stimuli.

Some of the exercise and activities may at first cause an increase in symptoms, as the body and brain attempt to sort out the new pattern of movements. But with time and consistent work, the coordination signals from the eyes, muscle and joints, and vestibular system will occur.

In most cases, balance improves if the exercises are correctly and faithfully performed. Muscle tension, headaches, and fatigue will diminish, and symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, and nausea will decrease or disappear. Many times, vestibular VRT is so successful that no other treatment is required.