Physical Therapy helps Alzheimer’s Patients & Caregivers.
As part of our commitment to a healthy community, we are proud to announce that Nikki Smolczynski will be taking part in the “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” on Oct. 11th, 2014.
Over 600 communities nationwide will also be taking part in this initiative. The mission of the walk is threefold: to raise money to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through advancing research; to enhance care and support for those afflicted; and to promote brain health to decrease the onset of dementia.
Your Physical Therapist is a great partner for the care and treatment of patients 
with Alzheimer’s disease. Along with memory loss and other cognitive problems, people with Alzheimer’s disease may have difficulty performing simple tasks that are part of every day living. We not only work with patients, we also work with families and caregivers to help keep patients safely moving. A customized treatment program can help to delay the condition from worsening.
According to the American Physical Therapy Association:
“In the early and middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease, physical therapists focus on keeping people mobile and helping them to continue to perform their roles in the home and in the community. In the later stages of the disease, physical therapists can help people keep doing their daily activities for as long as possible, which reduces the burden on family members and caregivers.
Physical therapists also can instruct caregivers and family in how to improve safety and manage the needs of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. Physical therapy can help improve quality of life and possibly delay the need for institutionalization.”*
A picture of the team from last year’s walk! (Nikki is pictured far left.)
Both Nikki & Vince are trained to develop treatment programs that can make a difference in the lives of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. Contact our office for an evaluation. If you are interested in participating in this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, go to www.alz.org for more details.
*To find out more about the role of physical therapy in the treatment of Alzheimer’s go to www.moveforwardpt.com
