Unequal Access to Physical Therapy for Aging Adults

 

Unequal Access to Physical Therapy for Aging Adults

In my last two blog posts, I introduced the idea that physical therapy is a powerful tool for helping older adults stay mobile, independent, and healthy. But in this post, I want to explore a harder truth: not everyone has the same opportunity to receive that care. Despite the growing need for physical therapy in aging populations, many older adults still face barriers that keep them from getting the help they need.

What’s the Issue at Its Core?

This issue is about access to care. Physical therapy can reduce pain, improve mobility, and prevent injuries; but not everyone can access these services. Older adults may not get referred to a physical therapist by their doctor. Even if they are, challenges like transportation, high costs, insurance limitations, or lack of providers in their area can prevent them from receiving treatment.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, many older adults, especially those with chronic illnesses, are at risk of avoidable complications because they simply don’t have access to the therapy they need. This makes a huge difference not only in individual health outcomes but also in overall healthcare costs and strain on caregivers.



Who’s Most Affected?

This lack of access doesn’t impact everyone equally. Rural communities, often don’t have enough physical therapy clinics. Seniors living in these areas may need to travel hours just to attend a single session. Low-income older adults might not be able to afford co-pays, or they may not know physical therapy is even an option.

Language barriers, cultural beliefs about aging, and a lack of digital literacy also affect access. For example, telehealth services may sound like a good solution, but if an older adult doesn’t have a smartphone or isn’t comfortable with video calls, that service becomes completely useless. That’s why it’s so important to understand whose voices are missing from the conversation. Those people who don’t quite fit into the systems we’ve designed. 

The National Rural Health Association highlights that rural seniors have worse health outcomes overall and access to rehabilitative care like PT is a major reason why. Here is a great visual of  how many US rural states don't have enough Physicians, from this article. 



What’s Being Done & What Still Needs to Happen?

There are some promising solutions being explored. For example, home-based physical therapy allows older adults to receive care without traveling. Similarly, telehealth expanded rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a safe way to connect with healthcare providers from home.

However, these solutions come with limitations. Not all PTs offer home visits. And Medicare coverage for telehealth PT services is still limited or unclear in many cases. Even when the service is available, older adults without internet access or tech skills are often left behind.

Research like this Good Rx  article points out that to make these tools truly effective, we must also invest in digital literacy programs, caregiver support, and better training for PTs who work with aging adults from diverse backgrounds.



Reflection

As someone studying Kinesiology, Gerontology, and Physical Therapy, I’ve learned that aging doesn’t have to mean losing independence. But for too many people, especially those in underserved communities, a lack of access to care DOES mean that. That’s what makes this issue personal to me.

My hope is that as future healthcare providers, we push for more inclusive and community-focused solutions. That means listening to the needs of older adults, expanding coverage options, and advocating for policy changes that prioritize preventative care like physical therapy.

If you want to help, here are a few ways to start:

  • Learn about physical therapy options in your area and share them with others

  • Support local organizations that bring care to underserved seniors

  • And most importantly, keep the conversation going!

If we want to make aging healthy for everyone, we have to make sure no one is left out.

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