1. The days of getting old, working
until your mid- to late-60s, and
settling into the rocking chair to
ride out your final days are over.
Today’s generation of seniors are
staying active in later life. Eighty
per cent frequently participate in
at least one social activity, 36 per
cent perform volunteer work, and
many continue their employment
sincetheeliminationofmandatory
retirement at the age of 65.
“RecentstatisticsfromtheGov-
ernment of Canada Action for Se-
niorsreportshowthatseniorsare
living longer and healthier lives
than in previous generations,”
said Jason Bellefleur, president
of Bellefleur Physiotherapy. “The
focus is now on living a more ful-
filling or higher quality life. Se-
niorswantto enjoythingssuchas
travelling, participating in sports
or leisure activities, playing with
their grandkids, giving back to
the community by volunteering,
and some even choose stay in the
workforce.”
Despite this increased longev-
ity, the same report indicates that
90 per cent of Canadians aged
65 and over live with at least one
chronicdiseaseorcondition,such
as cardiovascular disease, cancer,
respiratory conditions, diabetes,
dementia, arthritis or obesity.
Chronichealthconditionsrequire
morefocusthaneverbeforetoen-
sure effective health care support
and good health management.
These chronic diseases or condi-
tions often lead to seniors getting
weaker, becoming deconditioned,
and increasing the likelihood of a
fall.
“Falls are the leading cause of
injury-related hospitalizations
for Canadians aged 65 years and
older,” said Dave Bellefleur, vice-
president of Bellefleur Physio-
therapy and head of their Mobile
and Geriatric Services. “About
20 to 30 per cent of Canadian se-
niors experience at least one fall
each year, with falls often causing
disability, loss of independence
or even death. That is the reason
Bellefleur Physiotherapy offers
specific services to seniors, such
as one-on-one physiotherapy,
falls prevention exercises, walker
assessments and walker recom-
mendations. We want to get you
back doing the things you enjoy.”
“One of the best ways to main-
tain independence and functional
mobility is to continually chal-
lenge yourself,” Dave is quick to
add. “By doing strength and bal-
ance exercises, as well as getting
outofone’s‘comfortzone’isagreat
wayofdoingthis.Strengthtraining
hasnotonlybeenshowntoreduce
the risk of falls, but it also helps to
positively load the bones in our
body, making the bone stronger,
and minimizing the effects of os-
teoporosis.”
The two physiotherapist broth-
ers,withover14yearsofcombined
experience working in the field of
geriatrics, own a small boutique
style physiotherapy clinic in the
heartofOrléans.Theyalsoprovide
mobile physiotherapy services.
The mobile services are geared
especially to those who are un-
able to make it out to see them in
their clinic. They’ll even perform
walker assessments and fit clients
for walkers at local vendors that
theyhavebuiltrelationshipswith.
“Wepreferdoingtheassessment
at the vendor’s location because
we can actually try a few different
walkersoutbeforemakingourfinal
decision,” explained Jason. “This
way, we know that the walker is
adapted to the specific needs of
the person who requires it.”
The Assistive Devices Program
(ADP) is a program operated by
the Ministry of Health and Long-
Term Care to assist Ontario resi-
dents with long-term physical
disabilities. The ADP pays up to
75 per cent of the equipment cost,
as long as a mobility assessment
is completed by a therapist who is
registered as an “authorizer” by
ADP. Four-wheeled walkers (or
rollator walkers) are covered by
this program. This is a great way
forsomeonetogetthewalkerthey
requiretomaintainindependence
at a fraction of the cost.
Outside of the walker assess-
mentsthattheyperformregularly,
BellefleurPhysiotherapyisalsothe
provider of the entire physiother-
apy program at a local long-term
care residence. They also see in-
dividuals in various retirement
and long-term residences across
the city who prefer more in-depth
therapy than may be offered at
their facility.
WiththechangestoOHIPfund-
ing that occurred two years ago,
some seniors are finding they
aren’t receiving the same level of
therapy that was once offered to
them. Seniors are actually seek-
ing out additional services from
companies like Bellefleur Physio-
therapy.
“Most residents prefer working
on their specific needs to improve
their balance, strength, and func-
tional mobility instead of partici-
pating in a group class that may
not be as directed to their wishes
orgoals,”explainedDave.“Ifsome-
Living a life
of quality
Physiotherapist Dave Bellefleur helps fit a client with a properly adjusted
walker. Below, Dave helps a client with a strength exercise during an in-
home session.
Brother team at Bellefleur Physiotherapy
helps seniors stay active and safe
one wants to improve their trans-
fers or be able to walk a further
distance, we focus our sessions on
that.” He also mentions that more
personalized care allows most cli-
ents to attain their goals quicker.
The Bellefleur brothers have
beenrecognizedfortheircustomer
service excellence, professional-
ism and dedication to providing
outstanding health care services
by winning numerous business
excellence awards through the
Orléans Chamber of Commerce
and the former Nepean Chamber
of Commerce.
It’stimetotakecontroloftheag-
ing process and to let the friendly
team at Bellefleur Physiotherapy
help you in the process. To sched-
ule an appointment or for assis-
tance with any questions you may
have, they can be contacted at
613-424-7852. Visit bellefleur
physio.comformoreinformation
about their services.
One of the
best ways
to maintain
independence
and functional
mobility is to
continually
challenge
yourself.”
D AV E B E L L E F L E U R