LE3 .A278 2019

2019

Mekary, Saïd

Acadia University

Bachelor of Kinesiology

Honours

Kinesiology

Kinesiology

The aging populations in Canada and Nova Scotia are on the rise and with this there is a greater dependence on the federal and provincial health care systems. The growth in older populations create a demand for more health care workers, doctors, nurses and rehabilitation therapies such as massage therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, all areas where there is an increased need for workers. In addition, there is a higher need for long-term care facilities, nursing homes and independent living facilities, all of which have bed shortages. These increased demands require not only additional funding but additional workers. To lessen this impact on the system and workers, improving the older populations independence and health status will lead to, if anything, a longer period for those individuals to not require those services. Physical activity in aging populations has shown to improve cognition, physical strength, balance, and positively affect independence. If physical activity on its own can lead to preventative measures, then in combination with non-invasive therapies there is potential that it could additionally enhance quality of life and independence. Massage Therapy, when performed properly by a trained therapist, can provide non-invasive manual therapy that can lead to increased range of motion and decrease pain. If, massage therapy was applied in onjunction with physical activity there is potential to reduce the rate of decline in these populations, improving quality of life and lessening the impact on the health system

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3315