86-Year-Old Learns To Walk Again

An 86-year-old care home resident thought he would have to spend the rest of his life bedbound, but proved experts wrong when he learnt how to walk again. 

Martin Birkhans was determined not to be restricted by his limiting diagnosis and responded well to intensive physiotherapy, the Daily Record revealed. 

Physiotherapist Nicola McIntosh said: “After starting off with some bed-based exercises to maintain this movement in his ankles and hips, we decided to see if, with the help of a stand aid, we could progress the movement firstly to standing and then to walking.”

The physio team initially intended to get Martin to stand independently, but saw how committed he was to recovery, they raised his goals to achieve as much mobility as possible. 

Martin noted that his progress has moved his care staff to tears, as they are so proud of him. 

He stated within a month of moving in he was walking with his zimmer frame, and his improved mobility even meant he could spend Christmas Day with his daughter, instead of having to stay in bed. 

According to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, simple exercises are essential to maintaining mobility in elderly people. These include sitting to stand, heel raises, toe raises, one leg standing, heel-toe stand, and heel-toe walking. 

Having personal home care services that encourage patients to keep up with physical activities could mean they are able to remain independent for longer.