Healing Where You Belong: The Comforts of In-Home Geriatric Therapy
When Marion, 67, fell and broke her hip, she knew her recovery would take a long time. She had to undergo a partial hip replacement to correct the fracture, and because she lives alone, she worried she would have to spend weeks in inpatient rehab. But thanks to in-home geriatric therapy, that wasn’t the case.
Why? Her daughter arranged for a physiotherapist to come directly to Marion’s home–which meant she could start her rehab without waiting to be mobile enough to drive to an outpatient clinic. The benefits were tremendous.
Between the in-home physiotherapist and Marion’s daughter, who stayed with Marion during her first few weeks out of the hospital, Marion recovered from her fracture in the comfort and familiarity of her own home.
Her therapist met with her three times a week, bringing all the necessary equipment. All Marion had to do was wear comfortable clothes and complete her proscribed exercises.
While her full rehabilitation did take several months–as is typical for a partial hip replacement–Marion felt much more confident in the early part of the process. She contributes that confidence in large part to being able to carry out physiotherapy in her living room rather than a sterile clinic.
At Physio for Seniors, we understand exactly where Marion is coming from. We provide the Metro Vancouver, BC area with in-home geriatric therapy. Our therapists can help you recover from an injury or surgery, manage pain from arthritis or another joint condition, and so much more!
Curious to learn more? Call us today to talk to our friendly staff!
What Condition Can In-Home Geriatric Therapy Help You Recover From?
As an older adult, you’re much more likely to experience various health conditions than when you were younger. Our bodies change as we age, and these changes can have a radiating effect on our overall health and wellness.
Here are just a few of the common injuries and conditions that might require you to spend some time healing at home:
- Injuries from Falls: As Marion experienced, falls are one of the most significant causes of injuries among older adults. Aging contributes to many fall risk factors, such as poor eyesight and hearing, muscle loss, slower reaction time, impaired gait, and much more. Many of these injuries, such as fractures, require surgery to repair.
- Total Joint Replacements: Total joint replacement surgeries are common among older adults. For people with severe osteoarthritis, they’re often the last resort for dealing with intense joint pain. While any joint can be replaced, hip and knee replacements are the most common.
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD): As we get older, our spinal discs–small cushions nestled between each vertebra–start to wear down, causing the bones in our spine to rub together. In addition to pain, DDD can lead to other issues, such as spinal stenosis or spondylolisthesis.
- Rotator Cuff Tears: Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that wraps and supports your shoulder joint. Tendons fray over time, like a rope rubbing over a rock, which can lead to small tearing and even rupture. If you tear any of the rotator cuff tendons, it can lead to pain, weakness, and shoulder immobility.
- Stroke: A stroke is a major medical emergency that will profoundly impact your life for months–and sometimes years–after. Aftereffects of a stroke vary wildly but can include partial paralysis, difficulty walking, pain, and much more.
Techniques We Use For Our In-Home Geriatric Therapy Programs
We customize all of our treatment plans to meet the specific needs of our patients! During your first in-home session, one of our therapists will work closely with you, your family, and any additional care team members to get a complete picture of your injury or condition. We’ll take a health history, speak with you about symptoms and concerns, and run several simple assessments to test your strength, mobility, balance, and more.
All this information allows us to create a program using the latest techniques in in-home geriatric physiotherapy. Every condition–and every patient–has different rehabilitation needs, so no two plans will look alike. However, here are a few of the common techniques we use to help our patients:
- Manual Therapy: Manual therapy includes hands-on techniques like joint mobilization (guiding a joint through its current range of motion) and myofascial release (releasing tough bands of restricted tissue). It can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and promote blood circulation.
- Therapeutic Exercise: Rehabilitation after injury or surgery requires regular movement to be successful. We’ll design a personalized exercise program to improve your range of motion and build strength without risking reinjury.
- Targeted Training: We can also help you improve specific areas of impairment, such as balance and gait–two common issues among older adults! Or, if you’re struggling with everyday activities like going up stairs, we’ll help you train to perform them more easily.
- Mobility Aids: After an injury or surgery, many people require the use of a mobility aid (such as a walker). We’ll make sure you’re using it properly so you can maximize your recovery.
Request An Appointment To Get Started!
Scheduled for surgery? Struggling with back pain? No matter the reason, Physio for Seniors’s in-home geriatric therapy is here to help! Our compassionate therapists will bring everything you need to your front door so you can recover and rehabilitate right where you belong.
For more personalized information about our programs, schedule an appointment today.