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Promoting Independence and Improving Quality of Life – the importance of Physical Therapy in Assisted Living

October is National Physical Therapy Month, and it’s a great opportunity to reflect on how physical therapy can improve the quality of life for seniors. At Northbridge, we partner with FOX Rehabilitation, giving residents access to therapies like physical therapy, occupational therapy (check out our blog), and speech therapy (check out our blog)—all from the comfort of their community.

We’ve invited FOX Rehabilitation Physical Therapist, Nick Kantor to write a guest blog about his work as a Physical Therapist in Assisted Living. Nick works with the Northbridge communities, Stroudwater Lodge and Avita of Stroudwater.

My passion for physical therapy started early. When I was eight, my dad was in a car accident that left him physically disabled. I remember the physical therapists who came to our home, helping my dad stay as independent as possible. It left a lasting impression on me, seeing how movement and specific exercises could make such a big difference. That’s when I knew I wanted to do something in healthcare, and physical therapy became the perfect fit. It’s a field where I get to work closely with people, using movement to improve their quality of life.

After earning my bachelor’s degree in rehabilitative health sciences and a doctorate in physical therapy from Northeastern University, I spent a few years working in outpatient settings in Boston hospitals. I even had the chance to travel and work across the country before eventually settling in Maine. I’ve been practicing physical therapy for about eight years.

What Does a Physical Therapist Do?

In my role as a physical therapist, my primary goal is to help residents maintain independence, health, and wellness. I do this by creating individualized treatment plans that incorporate various interventions, exercises, and lifestyle changes. It’s all about improving quality of life in ways that are meaningful to each person. Whether it’s managing pain, regaining strength after surgery, or working on balance to prevent falls, everything is tailored to the individual.

Physical therapy can look different depending on a resident’s needs. Sometimes it’s about addressing specific issues like shoulder pain, but often it’s focused on helping people move better overall—whether that’s walking without fear of falling or improving endurance for daily tasks.

The Benefits of Physical Therapy for Seniors

For seniors, physical therapy offers a range of benefits, especially when it comes to maintaining independence. Here are a few key areas where PT can make a big difference:

• Balance: If a resident has recently had a fall or is afraid of falling, PT is great for rebuilding confidence and improving balance. It’s also a proactive way to reduce fall risks before they become an issue.
• Strength: Simple tasks like getting out of bed or up from a chair can become challenging as we age and lose muscle strength. In physical therapy, we work on strengthening muscles and improving sit-to-stand skills to make everyday tasks easier and safer.
• Stamina/Endurance: If walking longer distances or going up stairs becomes difficult, we focus on improving cardiovascular endurance in PT sessions.

The difference in physical therapy for seniors compared to younger populations is the focus. While younger patients might want to recover from a sports injury, the goal for seniors is often about maintaining independence and quality of life. Whether it’s being able to garden, walk with grandchildren, or climb stairs without fear, PT is all about achieving personal goals that matter to the individual.

Getting Started with Physical Therapy

If you think you or a loved one might benefit from physical therapy, the process is simple and stress-free. My approach is about making small, manageable changes that lead to meaningful improvements over time. Here’s what the process typically looks like:

1. Goal Setting: I start by meeting with residents one-on-one to discuss their goals. Understanding the “why” behind the treatment plan is crucial—it motivates residents to stick with it and take an active role in their progress.
2. Baseline Testing: I conduct tests like balance, sit-to-stand, and walking speed to establish a starting point. These tests help identify problem areas and guide our focus.
3. Regular Sessions: Depending on the resident’s progress or needs, I might see them two or three times a week for a few months. We work on exercises that match their goals, such as cardio training, balance exercises, or walking in different environments or with distractions to mimic real-life situations. I also provide homework exercises to be completed outside of our sessions to maximize overall progress.
4. Success: Over the course of therapy visits, we closely monitor progress to ensure we are addressing their needs appropriately. Success is not only measured by improvements in testing, it’s also about achieving real personal goals. Whether it’s walking up stairs without getting as winded or completing a task they once found difficult, those are the moments of true accomplishment.
5. Graduation: As residents improve, we reduce the frequency of our sessions with the goal to transition them to more of an independent home exercise program. We also encourage residents to attend the exercise classes that Stroudwater Lodge and Avita of Stroudwater offer daily to continue making progress once therapy is finished. Graduation from therapy happens when they have met their goals and are confident in maintaining progress on their own.

Physical Therapy and Age-Related Conditions

In my work with Northbridge communities, I often treat age-related conditions like arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia.

• Arthritis: Age related changes in our joints such as osteoarthritis are common as we get older and can lead to inflammation and pain. By working on joint and muscle flexibility and strength, we can help to reduce pain, improve mobility and lessen the disability that arthritis causes on our lives.
• Dementia: For residents living with dementia, we focus primarily on safety, especially with balance, strength and walking to be proactive on reducing falls. Repetition for learning is key, and I often use visual aids and short, clear instructions to help them retain exercises.
• Parkinson’s Disease: Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive disease of the nervous system that affects your movement. In therapy, we can work on improving movement and managing symptoms like rigidity, tremors and walking difficulties, with a strong focus on balance and preventing falls.

Preventative vs. Reactive Therapy

Ideally, physical therapy is preventative rather than reactive. That’s one of the reasons I love the partnership between FOX Rehab and Northbridge—we’re able to conduct regular balance screenings. These screenings allow us to catch potential fall risks early, so we can address them before a fall happens. It’s all about being proactive and giving residents the support they need to stay safe and independent.

One of the best parts of my job is building relationships with the residents at Stroudwater Lodge and Avita of Stroudwater. Even with residents I haven’t worked with yet, I love being part of a community where people feel comfortable and supported. These connections make therapy sessions more successful, as we share the journey toward greater independence and an active lifestyle.

To learn more about the partnership a Northbridge Community near you has with FOX Rehabilitation, click here to find a Northbridge community near you and connect with one of our helpful Sales Directors!

We’re here to answer any of your questions, please contact us if we can provide further information or if you would like to schedule a personalized tour.