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World Physiotherapy Day: The Role of Physiotherapy in Canada in Promoting Wellness

World Physiotherapy Day: The Role of Physiotherapy in Canada in Promoting Wellness

Summary

  • Physiotherapy in Canada is growing, and it is expected to further grow in coming years due to higher life expectancy and an ageing population.
  • The world population is getting old faster than before.
  • Edison College offers a 6-month diploma in Therapeutic Recreation Diploma that can help you launch your career in the healthcare industry in Canada.
  • By 2019, there were 1 billion people with 60 years of age or above, but this population is expected to reach 1.4 billion by 2030 and 2.1 billion by 2050.
  • Similarly, people who are 80 years or above are expected to increase three times to reach 426 million from 2020 to 2050.
  • The old population of Canada is also growing fast, and the number of people over 60 rose to 6.2 million in 2017 and is predicted to reach 10.7 million by 2037.

What is World Physiotherapy Day?

World Physiotherapy Day is observed every year on the 8th of September to highlight the role of physiotherapy and physiotherapy practitioners.

This day has had a fixed date all over the world since 8th September, 1996, as World Physiotherapy Day, or World PT Day.

However, the history of this day goes back to 1951, when the World Physiotherapy Foundation was founded to provide a platform to physiotherapists all over the world.

World Physiotherapy promotes this day as a flagship event to bring all 123 member organisations onto one platform and promote the physiotherapy profession.

a woman is doing physiotherapy in Canada

There is a specific theme annually for this day. This year’s theme is ‘healthy ageing’ with a particular focus on ‘preventing frailty and falls’.

Some of the recent themes have been ‘prevention and management of osteoarthritis’, ‘rehabilitation and long COVID’, ‘chronic pain and the role of a physiotherapist’, ‘physical therapy and mental health’, etc.

What role does Physiotherapy in Canada play?

The Canadian population is not growing but also getting old faster than ever.

The World Health Organisation says healthy ageing, a process of developing and maintaining functional ability while growing older, is necessary for people who are getting older.

According to the Conference Board of Canada, old people in Canada who need physiotherapy to live a better life are expected to double from 1.5 million in 2014 to 3 million in 2035.

The role of physiotherapy in Canada is growing mainly due to the rise in the older population.

One of the core areas where physiotherapists can help the ageing population is to reduce the risks of falls.

a woman is doing physiotherapy in Canada

Physiotherapists evaluate the risk of falls and then suggest suitable strength and resistance training to train particular muscle groups.

Physiotherapists also help people in improving their balance and coordination training. Since every individual has different needs, these experts make an effective personalised training program for a measurable output.

These experts are also crucial in educating people so that they can prevent falls and reduce other such possible risks even before they are affected by any incident.

They provide proper training about the environmental hazards that could impact the mobility of people so that they can prevent any potential problems in the future.

Physiotherapists recommend these steps to follow:

  • Stay as active as possible according to your circumstances.
  • Challenge your balance regularly.
  • Keep yourself socially connected.
  • Eat a balanced diet.

Physiotherapy in Canada: Is it a Good Career?

Physiotherapy in Canada is a regulated profession, which means everyone needs to have a license or practice permit to work in the country.

Physiotherapy practitioners are regulated by the respective provincial regulators that have the authority to issue the license to the practitioners.

There are over 16,000 physiotherapy professionals and students in Canada who are represented by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA).

a man is doing physiotherapy on World Physiotherapy Day

The old population of Canada is growing fast, and the number of people over 60 rose to 6.2 million in 2017 and is predicted to reach 10.7 million by 2037.

Physiotherapy in Canada is growing, and it is expected to further grow in coming years due to higher life expectancy and an ageing population.

Conclusion

No matter what your age group or gender is, you can benefit from exercise and strength training. On this World Physiotherapy Day, let’s remind ourselves that it’s never too late to start an exercise program.

Join the Therapeutic Recreation Activity Assistant Diploma at Edison College

Edison College’s Therapeutic Recreation Activity Assistant diploma program focuses on the knowledge and skills required to plan, implement, and evaluate individuals or groups in therapeutic recreation and social activities.

The program participants will learn to plan and implement supervised activities for older adults with cognitive and physical impairments and gain hands-on experience with supervised practicum experience.

In this Therapeutic Recreation Assistant Program, students will learn how to enhance their clients’ quality of life through leisure activities.

The program will also prepare students to work with a variety of client groups in different care settings, such as hospitals, group homes, assisted living facilities, etc.

If you have any questions or concerns about physiotherapy in Canada, please contact us now to learn more.

Read more industry-related blogs here.

Pictures by Freepik

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