Elka Follmer

Geriatric Physical Therapist

Ms. Elka Follmer is a Geriatric Physical Therapist in Festus, MO with special training and skill in targeting conditions that affect aging adults' physical health, activity, and independence. As a Geriatric Physical Therapist, Elka Follmer performs physical therapy to lessen pain and to restore, improve, or maintain strength, fitness, endurance, sensation, balance, flexibility, and mobility in older adults. Geriatric Physical Therapy is physical therapy for the physical health, fitness, and function of the elderly. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Geriatric Physical Therapists include incontinence, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsonu2019s disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and cancer. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Geriatric Physical Therapists include patient evaluation, exercise protocol development, patient education and assistive device training, home adaptation advising, and program observation.

A licensed physical therapist, including but not limited to an individual who is a Board Certified Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy, who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skill in the comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment and evidence-based management of movement in aging adults. This includes, but is not limited to, specialized knowledge in and consideration of normal age-related changes and pathological manifestations across all systems; cognition and mental health; polypharmacy; fall risk mitigation; bone health; healthy and active aging, and socioeconomic and health policy issues affecting aging adults. The geriatric physical therapist is an integral part of the interdisciplinary geriatric team and serves as an advocate for the highest level of well-being for the older adult.