What’s one of the best ways you stay (or get!) motivated to workout? Find a workout buddy, who makes exercise social, engaging and competitive––all while holding you accountable. The same is true for seniors in rehab, making group physical therapy a great way to get motivated and improve strength, balance and flexibility.

Physical therapy supports the function of movement including safety, walking, balance, fuller range of motion, reaching and position transfers––such as from a chair to standing. There are a number of ways that group physical therapy can benefit seniors of varying ability level.

In honor of October’s Physical Therapy Month, therapists at SKLD facilities across Michigan and Ohio have launched new, creative group therapy sessions that are so engaging that therapy is a delight.

With the #PTChallenge theme this month, SKLD facilities are competing by participating in fall-themed group activities and then sending in details on its functionality and pictures. Voting will be November 1 on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

See how we’re getting moving, together!

Residents at SKLD New Lexington in Ohio show off pumpkins they created for a fall group therapy session.

Get together. Meet new people. Exercise.

The social experience of group physical therapy makes it more fun and enjoyable. Group PT is a great way to meet other residents and have fun while improving skills. Brandy Shumaker, who heads therapy at SKLD facilities, sees firsthand how much the residents “absolutely enjoy it.” Even residents who don’t normally come out of their room or rehab center will join a creative therapy group.

Brandy says, “It’s often helpful for residents to see other people in the group who they can relate to, which helps residents achieve better outcomes and goals. They may not have the exact same diagnosis, but the social environment motivates them and inspires them to do better. If one resident sees a partner or someone else in the group reaching for a certain object, it pushes them to do better. ”

Cheer Each Other On

Not only does the social component of group PT provide an entertaining way of building skills, but the residents are also a great source of motivation for each other.

When residents join in activities as a group, they hold each other accountable to do their best. It’s very similar to having a workout buddy who pushes you and cheers you along. This makes the experience more enjoyable and more productive.

Group PT helps residents feel connected by a shared goal, such as improving skills in flexibility, balance and mobility. Because it pushes and motivates seniors in exercise more than they would do by themselves, residents strive toward their goals and reach them faster.

Be Balanced and Reduce Falls

Balance is essential to helping residents reach their goal of getting back home, and even while they are still residing in our facilities, many long term care patients leave for a fun excursion or to go out with family or friends. Group physical therapy helps residents build skills they need to be more self-sufficient and safely get back home.

Some activities that can be incorporated in group physical therapy include walking on uneven surfaces, going through doorways, car transfers and other day-to-day motions . This can be tedious, or it can be competitive and engaging in a group therapy obstacle course.

Working in group PT is a way to push seniors to reach past their comfort zone to become more balanced and secure.