physiotherapy treatment to improve mobility and reduce pain

28. July 2021

physiotherapy and mobility treatment for the elderly

Introduction: What is Physiotherapy for the Elderly?

Physiotherapy is a cornerstone of healthy ageing, offering a specialised approach to help older adults maintain their mobility, function, and independence. As a distinct specialism, geriatric physiotherapy addresses the complex and often interconnected health challenges that can arise in later life, moving beyond simple injury treatment to become a proactive strategy for enhancing overall quality of life.¹ It is founded on a partnership between the therapist and the individual, aiming to restore movement, build strength, and foster the confidence needed to live fully and safely.

The professional network AGILE, a part of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), is dedicated to promoting the highest standards in this field, reflecting its critical importance within the UK's healthcare landscape.²

The journey with a physiotherapist is a collaborative one, typically following a structured, four-step process designed to place the individual's personal needs at the centre of care:

Conducting a Comprehensive Assessment: The process begins with a thorough evaluation. This initial session is crucial for the therapist to gain a deep understanding of the issues causing pain or limiting movement. It involves not only a physical examination but also a detailed discussion about the individual's lifestyle, home environment, and any factors that could be affecting their condition.¹
Establishing Person-Centred Goals: Following the assessment, the physiotherapist works directly with the patient to establish what is most important to them. Rather than imposing generic targets, this step focuses on the individual's values, priorities, and what they want to achieve, whether it's walking to the local shop, playing with grandchildren, or climbing the stairs without pain.¹ These personal aspirations are then translated into tangible, measurable goals that guide the entire rehabilitation programme. This collaborative approach ensures that the treatment is not just clinically effective but also personally meaningful, which significantly boosts motivation and adherence.
Working Through the Goals: With clear goals in place, a tailored physiotherapy treatment programme is designed. This is not a one-size-fits-all plan but a bespoke strategy incorporating evidence-based techniques. Common components include balance training to reduce fall risk, gait re-education to improve walking patterns, and specific strengthening and stretching exercises to address weakness and stiffness.¹
Supporting Ongoing Rehabilitation: The plan is dynamic and evolves with the patient's progress. The physiotherapist continuously monitors improvements, adjusting exercises and techniques to ensure they remain challenging and effective. Where needed, this support extends to family members or carers, providing them with the education and tools necessary to assist in the rehabilitation process, for example, by demonstrating the correct use of mobility aids.¹

Within the broader UK healthcare system, physiotherapists are recognised as integral members of multidisciplinary teams. They work across various settings—from specialist elderly care wards and stroke units in hospitals to community-based falls prevention teams and intermediate care services—to deliver comprehensive geriatric assessment and care.⁵ This integrated role underscores a fundamental principle: geriatric physiotherapy is not merely a reactive measure for when things go wrong. It is a form of proactive health management. By addressing the risks of frailty and age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) early, it aims to extend an individual's healthspan—the period of life spent in good health—helping to prevent or delay the crises, such as a debilitating fall, that can lead to a sudden loss of independence.¹

How Can Physiotherapy for the Elderly Help?

Physiotherapy offers a wide array of evidence-based interventions that can profoundly improve the lives of older adults. By addressing the root causes of pain and immobility, it helps manage chronic conditions, facilitates recovery from surgery or illness, and provides advanced therapeutic options to accelerate healing. The positive impact is not just physical; by restoring function, physiotherapy can break the debilitating cycle of pain, fear, and inactivity that often leads to a loss of confidence and social isolation.

Managing Chronic, Age-Related Conditions

Many long-term conditions that become more common with age can be effectively managed with a targeted physiotherapy treatment plan, helping to reduce symptoms and maintain an active lifestyle.

Arthritis (Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis)

For the millions of people in the UK living with arthritis, physiotherapy can be transformative. The most common form, osteoarthritis, involves the degeneration of cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced function.⁶ A primary goal of physiotherapy is to strengthen the muscles surrounding the affected joints, which provides better support and can significantly reduce pain.⁶ A comprehensive treatment plan may include:

Targeted Strengthening and Stretching Exercises: To build muscle support and maintain the joint's range of motion.
Hydrotherapy: Performing exercises in a warm water pool, which reduces the load on painful joints while allowing for effective muscle strengthening.⁶
Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques to improve joint movement and ease stiffness.
Pain Management Techniques: Including the application of hot or cold packs.⁶
Provision of Aids: Supplying and advising on the use of splints, braces, or walking aids to protect joints and improve mobility.⁶
Joint Protection and Lifestyle Advice: Educating individuals on how to modify activities to reduce strain on their joints.⁶

The real-world impact of such programmes is profound. Consider the case of Tracy, who suffered from such severe arthritis pain in her hips and hands that she became housebound for two years. After her GP recommended a specialised Joint Pain Programme, which incorporates principles of physiotherapy, she was able to regain her mobility and begin "walking with ease again," demonstrating a clear path from debilitating pain to renewed freedom.⁷

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones, making them more susceptible to fractures from a minor fall or even a sudden movement. Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the management of osteoporosis, focusing primarily on reducing the risk of falls and fractures.⁸ This is achieved through exercises designed to improve bone density, muscle strength, and balance. The NHS and the Royal Osteoporosis Society strongly recommend two key types of exercise:

Weight-bearing exercise: Activities where your feet and legs support your body weight, such as brisk walking, dancing, or climbing stairs. These exercises stimulate the bones, encouraging them to become stronger.⁹
Resistance exercise: Activities that use muscle strength, such as lifting weights or using resistance bands. The action of muscles pulling on the bones helps to boost bone strength.⁹

The story of Susan provides a powerful illustration of the two paths one can take with osteoporosis.¹¹ In a typical but sub-optimal scenario, her initial wrist fracture was treated, but the underlying osteoporosis was missed. Subsequent vertebral fractures were misdiagnosed as muscle pain, and she received intermittent physiotherapy that provided only temporary relief. This led to a downward spiral of chronic pain, a fear of movement, the loss of beloved activities like dancing, and eventual social withdrawal. In an optimal care pathway, however, her first fracture would trigger a referral to a Fracture Liaison Service. With a proper diagnosis and a consistent, targeted physiotherapy programme focused on strength and balance, she would be empowered to remain active and strong, avoiding further fractures and maintaining her independence and quality of life for many more years. This narrative starkly highlights how a proactive physiotherapy approach can be life-changing.

Recovering from Surgery and Hospitalisation

A period of illness or a major operation, such as a hip or knee replacement, can take a significant toll on an older person's strength and mobility. Physiotherapy is a vital component of a successful recovery, helping to rebuild the body and restore confidence.

Post-Operative Rehabilitation

After joint replacement surgery, effective rehabilitation is essential to regain strength, flexibility, and function.¹² Physiotherapy often begins in the hospital within days of the operation and is a core part of the recovery process.¹³ A structured programme helps patients to start moving safely, manage pain and swelling, and gradually return to daily activities. For many, this support continues after discharge through home physiotherapy visits, which provide a seamless transition of care and ensure the recovery stays on track in the patient's own environment.¹⁴

The Challenge of Deconditioning

Even without surgery, a prolonged stay in hospital can lead to rapid physical decline. This process, known as deconditioning, involves significant loss of muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia), a reduction in heart and lung efficiency, and the stiffening of joints and connective tissues.⁴ This can make simple tasks like standing up from a chair feel exhausting and can create a vicious cycle: muscle weakness leads to a loss of confidence, which leads to less movement, causing further weakness. Physiotherapy is critical in breaking this cycle by introducing safe, purposeful, and gradually progressing exercises that rebuild strength and restore confidence.¹²

However, the continuity of this care is paramount. The cautionary tale of Alice Price, an 80-year-old who had a successful hip operation, underscores this point vividly.¹⁵ After recovering from post-operative delirium, she was ready to begin her rehabilitation but faced a four-month wait for a community physiotherapy assessment. This gap in her care pathway led to a period of depression and functional decline from which she never fully recovered. Her story is a stark reminder that the timing and continuity of rehabilitation are just as important as the quality of the physiotherapy itself, highlighting the significant value of services that can prevent such dangerous delays.

Advanced and Adjunctive Therapeutic Options

physiotherapy treatment for elderly Alongside exercise and manual therapy, physiotherapists may use a range of modern technologies to help manage pain and promote tissue healing. These are not passive cures but are used as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan to facilitate the more active components of recovery.

Electro Therapy

Electro therapy is a broad term for several treatments that use a safe, low-level electrical current to achieve a therapeutic effect, such as reducing pain and swelling or stimulating weak muscles.¹⁶ Two common types used for older adults are:

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation): This is a non-invasive method for pain relief. Small pads are placed on the skin, and a gentle electrical current is passed through them, creating a tingling sensation. This is thought to work by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain and by stimulating the body to release its own natural pain-relieving chemicals, called endorphins.¹⁶
EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation): This technique is used to stimulate a muscle contraction in muscles that are very weak, for example, after surgery or a stroke. The electrical impulses mimic the body's natural signals from the nervous system, causing the muscle to contract. This helps to maintain muscle tone, increase strength, and regain muscle activity when a person cannot do it effectively on their own.¹⁶

It is essential to understand that the electro therapy used in physiotherapy is a gentle, localised treatment and is completely different from Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), which is a psychiatric treatment for severe depression performed under general anaesthetic.¹⁹

Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

Shockwave therapy, or Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), is a non-invasive treatment endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for a range of chronic tendon problems.²⁰ It uses high-energy sound waves delivered through a handheld device to the affected area. These waves stimulate the body's natural healing processes, increasing blood circulation, promoting cell regeneration, and breaking down scar tissue.²² It is particularly effective for conditions common in older adults that can severely limit mobility, such as Achilles tendinopathy (pain in the tendon at the back of the heel) and plantar fasciitis (heel pain).

The treatment is considered suitable for a wide age range, with clinics reporting successful outcomes for patients including "pensioners in their eighties".²⁰ Like other advanced modalities, shockwave therapy is most effective when used to reduce pain and facilitate an active, exercise-based rehabilitation programme.²²

How to Access Physiotherapy Rehabilitation for the Elderly in the UK

Navigating the healthcare system to find the right physiotherapy can seem daunting, but in the UK, there are two clear pathways available: through the National Health Service (NHS) and via private providers. Understanding the process, benefits, and potential drawbacks of each can empower you or your loved one to make an informed decision that best suits your needs, timeline, and circumstances.

Navigating the NHS

The NHS provides physiotherapy services free at the point of use for a wide range of conditions, from post-operative rehabilitation to the management of long-term issues like arthritis and back pain.¹³

How to Get a Referral

There are typically two main routes to access NHS physiotherapy:

GP Referral: The traditional method is to make an appointment with your GP to discuss your symptoms. If they agree that physiotherapy would be beneficial, they can make a referral to your local service.¹³
Self-Referral: In many parts of the UK, it is now possible to refer yourself directly to an NHS physiotherapy service without needing to see a doctor first. This is designed to give patients faster access to care and more control over their health.²³ The process varies by region; some NHS trusts have online forms or dedicated phone lines for self-referral.²³ You can usually find out if this service is available in your area by checking your local NHS trust's website or asking at your GP surgery reception.¹³

What to Expect

While NHS physiotherapy is a vital and high-quality service, it is important to have realistic expectations. Due to high demand, there can be long waiting lists for an initial appointment.¹³ Once in the system, the number and frequency of sessions will be determined by clinical need. For individuals who are housebound or unable to travel to a clinic, the NHS may be able to offer home visits or remote consultations via telephone or video call.¹³

Exploring Private Physiotherapy

For those who are able or wish to pay for treatment, the private sector offers an alternative route with several distinct advantages.

Key Benefits

The primary benefits of choosing private physiotherapy are speed of access and greater choice.

Faster Access: Patients can often secure an appointment within 24 to 48 hours, which can be crucial for managing acute pain or starting post-operative rehabilitation without delay, preventing the deconditioning that can occur while on a waiting list.²⁶
Choice and Flexibility: You have the freedom to choose your clinic and even a specific physiotherapist with expertise in geriatric care or your particular condition. Appointment times are often more flexible, including evenings and weekends.²⁶
Longer Sessions and More Options: Private clinics may offer longer appointment slots, particularly for the initial assessment, allowing for a more in-depth evaluation. They may also provide a wider range of treatment options, including specialised services like shockwave therapy or hydrotherapy that may have limited availability on the NHS.²⁶

Understanding the Costs

The cost of private physiotherapy varies depending on location, the therapist's experience, and the type of session.

In-Clinic Appointments: Outside of London, a session typically costs between £70 and £100. In London, this can range from £80 to £150.²⁶ An initial assessment (usually 45-60 minutes) is often at the higher end of this scale, with follow-up appointments (around 30 minutes) being slightly less expensive.²⁶
Home Visits: For those who cannot easily travel, many private physiotherapists offer home visits. These are naturally more expensive to account for travel time and costs, typically starting from £90-£100 per session.²⁶

Making an Informed Decision: A Comparative Overview

Choosing between the NHS and private physiotherapy involves a trade-off between cost, speed, and choice. Neither pathway is inherently "better"; the right choice depends entirely on an individual's clinical needs, financial situation, and personal preferences. A pragmatic approach for some may even involve a hybrid model: using an initial private consultation for a swift diagnosis and an initial exercise plan while waiting for an NHS appointment to begin. This strategy can prevent deterioration and empower the patient to start their recovery immediately.

To help clarify the differences, the table below provides a side-by-side comparison of the two pathways.

Feature	NHS Physiotherapy	Private Physiotherapy
Cost	Free at the point of use ¹³	Paid per session/package ²⁶
Access Time	Potential for long waiting lists ¹³	Typically rapid access (within days) ²⁶
Referral	GP referral or self-referral (varies by region) ²³	Self-referral is standard ²⁷
Choice of Therapist	Limited choice; assigned by service ²⁴	Full choice of clinic and specialist ²⁶
Session Length	Standardised (e.g., 20 mins follow-up) ²⁴	Flexible; often longer initial assessments ²⁶
Specialist Services	Access may be limited or require further referral	Wide range of specialists readily available ²⁷

Key Benefits of Virtual Treatment

The delivery of healthcare has been transformed by technology, and physiotherapy is no exception. Remote consultations, often referred to as virtual physiotherapy or telehealth, have become an established and effective way to provide care, offering significant benefits, particularly for older adults. However, it is not a universal solution, and the modern gold standard of care is increasingly seen as a "blended model" that intelligently combines both virtual and in-person appointments.

The New Landscape of Physiotherapy

Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of video and telephone consultations has become a routine part of physiotherapy service delivery in both the NHS and the private sector.²⁹ Research has shown that for many musculoskeletal conditions, this method is a safe, feasible, and acceptable way to conduct assessments and guide rehabilitation.³⁰

Key Advantages for Patients

For older adults, virtual treatment can remove many of the traditional barriers to accessing care.

Convenience and Accessibility: The most significant advantage is the ability to receive expert care from the comfort of one's own home. This eliminates the time, cost, and physical stress associated with travelling to a clinic, which can be a major challenge for those with limited mobility or who live in rural areas.³¹ It also makes it much easier for family members or carers to participate in the consultation, even if they are in a different location.²⁹
Patient Empowerment and Environmental Insight: Virtual appointments naturally shift the focus towards education, self-management, and guided home exercise, which can increase a patient's sense of control and accountability over their own recovery.³⁴ Furthermore, it provides the physiotherapist with a unique and valuable insight into the patient's home environment. They can see the actual space where exercises will be performed, assess a home-working setup that might be causing pain, and tailor their advice to the equipment and furniture the patient has available.³²

Effectiveness and Limitations: The Blended Approach

While the convenience is clear, the clinical effectiveness is also well-supported. Multiple studies have found that for a majority of non-complex musculoskeletal injuries, virtual physiotherapy can deliver outcomes that are similar to traditional in-person care.²⁹ In fact, one large-scale analysis found that patients who combined face-to-face treatment with virtual sessions saw the greatest improvements in their pain scores, suggesting that a blended approach may be the most powerful model of all.³⁴

However, virtual care is not a "one-size-fits-all" solution.³⁰ It is generally less suitable for:

Complex Cases: Situations where a hands-on physical examination is essential for an accurate diagnosis.
Diagnostic Uncertainty: When the cause of the problem is not clear and requires physical testing.
Patient Preference: For individuals who are not comfortable with technology or who simply gain more from face-to-face interaction.

Recognising this, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) recommends that services offer a mix of remote and in-person consultations, with the choice being based on a shared decision between the clinician and the patient, taking into account their specific needs and preferences.³⁰ This blended model represents the new gold standard, offering the convenience of remote care for progress reviews and exercise guidance, while retaining the essential diagnostic power of in-person assessments when needed.

Accessing Virtual Physiotherapy

Both the NHS and private providers now widely offer virtual services. The NHS may provide telephone or video appointments, and some trusts have even developed virtual rehabilitation classes or partnered with dedicated platforms like ZoomPhysio to deliver online exercise plans rapidly.¹³ Most private clinics also offer online video consultations, which are typically easy to set up using a smartphone, tablet, or laptop with a camera.³⁹

It is crucial, however, to acknowledge the challenge of the "digital divide." For telehealth to be truly equitable, providers must address the fact that not everyone has access to the necessary technology, a reliable internet connection, or the digital literacy to use these services confidently.³² A trustworthy and patient-centred service will mitigate this by proactively offering lower-tech options like telephone consultations, providing simple technical support for video calls, and encouraging the involvement of family members to ensure that no one is excluded from care due to technological barriers.³⁹

Is Physiotherapy for the Elderly Right for Me?

Deciding to seek help is the most important first step towards improving mobility and reducing pain. Physiotherapy is a highly effective treatment for a wide range of age-related issues, but it can be difficult to know when it's the right time to make an appointment. This section provides a practical guide to help you identify the signs that you or a loved one could benefit, understand what to expect from the first consultation, and choose a qualified professional you can trust.

Common Signs That Physiotherapy Could Help

If you recognise any of the following situations, a professional physiotherapy assessment is highly recommended. This simple checklist covers the most common reasons older adults seek treatment:

A recent fall or a growing fear of falling: This is a key indicator that your balance or strength may be declining, and physiotherapy can provide targeted exercises to address this directly.⁴¹
A noticeable deterioration in mobility: You might find that you can't walk as far as you used to, that climbing stairs has become a struggle, or that you feel generally less steady on your feet.⁴¹
Recent discharge from hospital: After any period of illness, injury, or surgery, a physiotherapy programme is often essential to regain strength and function and to ensure a safe and successful recovery at home.⁴¹
Persistent pain that limits your daily life: If ongoing pain in your back, neck, hips, knees, or other joints is stopping you from doing the things you enjoy, physiotherapy can help identify the cause and provide effective pain management strategies.³
A desire to improve independence: You may not have a specific injury but simply want to improve your overall strength, balance, and confidence to maintain your independence for as long as possible.⁴¹

What to Expect from Your First Physiotherapy Appointment

The initial assessment is a comprehensive process designed to give the physiotherapist a complete picture of your health and to establish a clear plan of action. It is a powerful therapeutic intervention in itself; for many people living with uncertainty and chronic pain, receiving a clear explanation of their condition and a logical plan for managing it provides immense relief and hope. The appointment is a two-way conversation and typically involves three key parts:

The Subjective Assessment (The Conversation): The session will begin with the physiotherapist listening carefully to your story. They will ask detailed questions about your symptoms, your general medical history, your lifestyle, and, most importantly, what you hope to achieve through treatment.³ This is your opportunity to explain the problems you're facing in your own words and to share your personal goals.
The Objective Assessment (The Physical Examination): After the discussion, the therapist will conduct a physical examination. This is tailored to your specific problem but may involve assessing the painful area, checking your joint range of movement, testing your muscle strength, and evaluating your balance and walking pattern.³
The Plan: Based on all the information gathered, the physiotherapist will explain their findings to you in clear, understandable language. They will discuss the available treatment options and, in collaboration with you, formulate an individualised treatment plan. You will be an active partner in this process. It is highly likely that you will be given a set of specific exercises to begin doing at home, as your active participation is key to a successful outcome.³

How to Choose the Right Physiotherapist

Finding a qualified and experienced professional is essential for receiving high-quality care. When choosing a physiotherapist in the UK, look for the following key credentials and qualities:

Essential Qualifications: Ensure that the physiotherapist is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This is a legal requirement for practising in the UK and guarantees they meet national standards of training and professionalism. It is also highly recommended to choose a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), which signifies their commitment to high standards of clinical practice.²⁶
Specialist Experience: While all physiotherapists are highly trained, it is beneficial to find someone with specific experience in treating older adults (geriatric physiotherapy) and with a deep understanding of conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis, or post-operative rehabilitation.⁴³ Membership in a professional network like AGILE (Chartered Physiotherapists working with Older People) is a strong indicator of this special interest.²
Trust and Comfort: The relationship between a patient and their physiotherapist is a partnership. It is vital that you feel comfortable and can build a sense of trust. A good physiotherapist will be professional, a clear communicator, and, above all, a good listener who respects your concerns and involves you in every decision about your care.⁴³

Conclusion

The journey of ageing inevitably brings changes to the body, but significant loss of mobility, chronic pain, and a decline in independence are not foregone conclusions. As this guide has detailed, specialised physiotherapy for older adults offers a powerful, evidence-based pathway to managing the challenges of later life, enabling individuals to maintain their function, confidence, and quality of life. From managing the chronic pain of arthritis to rebuilding strength after surgery and reducing the life-altering risk of falls from osteoporosis, a targeted physiotherapy treatment plan can be transformative.

Modern physiotherapy provides a diverse toolkit, combining the foundational importance of tailored exercise with advanced modalities like electro therapy and shockwave therapy to accelerate recovery. Furthermore, the healthcare landscape in the UK offers choice, with accessible pathways through both the NHS and private providers, and the flexibility of virtual consultations making care more convenient than ever before. The most effective approach is one built on a collaborative partnership, where the individual's personal goals are the driving force behind a plan that empowers them to take an active role in their own health. By embracing a tailored and collaborative approach, older adults across the UK can unlock a future with greater mobility, confidence, and independence through physiotherapy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elderly Physiotherapy

How long does a typical physiotherapy treatment programme last for older adults?

The duration varies depending on the individual's condition and goals, but most elderly patients attend between 4-8 sessions over several weeks, with ongoing home exercises continuing for several months to maintain improvements.

Is there an age limit for receiving physiotherapy treatment?

No, there is no upper age limit for physiotherapy; treatment programmes are designed to suit individuals of all ages and fitness levels, including those in their 80s and 90s.

What should I wear to my physiotherapy appointment?

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy movement and access to the area being treated, such as shorts for knee problems or a vest top for shoulder issues.

Can I still have physiotherapy if I use a wheelchair or walking frame?

Yes, physiotherapists specialise in working with people who use mobility aids and can provide treatment and exercises tailored to your specific needs and abilities.

Will physiotherapy be painful?

While you may experience some temporary discomfort during certain exercises or manual therapy techniques, your physiotherapist will work within your pain tolerance and adjust treatment to ensure it remains manageable.

Can physiotherapy help with neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease or stroke recovery?

Yes, specialist neurological physiotherapy can significantly improve mobility, balance, and function for people with Parkinson's disease, stroke, and other neurological conditions affecting older adults.

Do I need to bring a family member or carer to my physiotherapy sessions?

While not always necessary, bringing a carer or family member can be helpful, especially for the first appointment or if you need assistance with understanding or remembering the home exercise programme.

What if I'm unable to do the exercises at home between appointments?

Your physiotherapist will modify exercises to match your capabilities and may arrange more frequent sessions, recommend assisted exercises with a carer, or suggest alternative treatment approaches if home exercises aren't feasible.

Does private health insurance cover physiotherapy for elderly patients?

Many private health insurance policies cover physiotherapy treatment; check your specific policy details, as some may require GP referral, have session limits, or exclude pre-existing conditions.

Can physiotherapy help me avoid moving into a care home?

Regular physiotherapy to maintain strength, balance, and mobility is one of the key interventions that can help older adults preserve their independence and continue living safely at home for longer.

What's the difference between a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist for elderly care?

Physiotherapists focus primarily on improving physical movement, strength, and pain management, while occupational therapists help with adapting daily activities and home environments, though there is often overlap in their approaches to elderly care.