Dementia is a leading cause of disability among elderly individuals, and its prevalence is expected to quadruple over the next 30 years.(1) While cognitive decline is widely acknowledged, the rapid physical decline associated with dementia is often overlooked. Addressing this physical decline through physical therapy can significantly improve a patient’s independence and quality of life.
The Impact of Dementia on Physical Health
Beyond memory loss, dementia frequently affects coordination, balance, posture, and gait.(2) These physical limitations increase fall risk, decrease mobility, and exacerbate dependence on caregivers. Research also highlights the strain dementia places on family caregivers—studies show that retirees who care for a disabled spouse experience a 63% higher mortality risk.(3) Additionally, the disability caused by dementia results in increased healthcare expenditures.
Can Physical Therapy Help Dementia Patients?
Physical therapy is a proven method for managing disability caused by injury or illness, and dementia-related physical decline is no exception. Research indicates that structured exercise therapy can slow functional decline, improve balance, and reduce fall risk in dementia patients.(4-7) However, despite its effectiveness, people with dementia often receive fewer rehabilitation services than they require. Travel difficulties and a primary focus on cognitive impairment may contribute to this disparity.(8)
Medicare Physical Therapy in Fort Worth: A Home Health Solution
For patients with dementia who face difficulty traveling for rehabilitation, Medicare-certified home health services provide an effective alternative. Under Medicare guidelines, home health physical therapy is covered at 100% for qualifying patients. Recent studies have validated the effectiveness of home-based therapy for dementia-related disability. In a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Dr. Cheri LeDoux and colleagues found that home health physical therapy led to significant functional improvements.(8 ) Their research also demonstrated that increased physical therapy visits correlated with higher probabilities of improved independence:
Number of Physical Therapy Visits – Probability of Improvement
- 0 PT Visits (just nursing): 60%
- 1-5 PT visits: 69%
- 6-13 PT visits: 81%
- 14 or more PT visits: 89%
Activities of Daily Living and Dementia
Medicare assesses patient independence based on the following Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):
- Grooming
- Upper-body dressing
- Lower-body dressing
- Bathing
- Toileting hygiene
- Transferring (e.g., getting in and out of bed or chairs)
- Walking and other mobility tasks
- Feeding
- Meal preparation
- Telephone use
Since dementia contributes to difficulty in these areas, Medicare-covered physical therapy aims to restore as much independence as possible. The more therapy a patient receives, the greater the potential improvement.
Why Choose Medicare Physical Therapy in Fort Worth?
Fort Worth residents have access to skilled home health services that provide Medicare-covered physical therapy, making rehabilitation more accessible for individuals with dementia. Angel Home Healthcare Services specializes in bringing high-quality physical therapy to patients’ homes, ensuring they receive the care they need without the burden of travel.
If you or a loved one is experiencing mobility decline due to dementia, Medicare physical therapy may be the solution. Contact Angel Home Healthcare Services today to explore your options for home-based physical therapy in Fort Worth.
References
- Arrighi HM, McLaughlin T, Leibman C. Prevalence and impact of dementia-related functional limitations in the United States, 2001 to 2005. Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders. 2010;24(1):72-8.
- Pressley JC, Trott C, Tang M, Durkin M, Stern Y. Dementia in community-dwelling elderly patients: A comparison of survey data, Medicare claims, cognitive screening, reported symptoms, and activity limitations. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. 2003;56(9):896-905.
- Poulos CJ, Bayer A, Beaupre L, et al. A comprehensive approach to reablement in dementia. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions. 2017;3(3):450-8.
- Weber SR, Pirraglia PA, Kunik ME. Use of services by community-dwelling patients with dementia: a systematic review. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias®. 2011;26(3):195-204.
- Telenius EW, Engedal K, Bergland A. Long-term effects of a 12-week high-intensity functional exercise program on physical function and mental health in nursing home residents with dementia: a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. BMC Geriatrics. 2015;15(1):158.
- Jensen CS, Hasselbalch SG, Waldemar G, Simonsen AH. Biochemical markers of physical exercise on mild cognitive impairment and dementia: systematic review and perspectives. Frontiers in Neurology. 2015;6:187.
- Lam FM, Huang MZ, Liao LR, et al. Physical exercise improves strength, balance, mobility, and endurance in people with cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review. Journal of Physiotherapy. 2018;64(1):4-15.
- LeDoux CV, Lindrooth RC, Seidler KJ, Falvey JR, Stevens‐Lapsley JE. The Impact of Home Health Physical Therapy on Medicare Beneficiaries With a Primary Diagnosis of Dementia. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2020;68(4):867-71.