National Physical Therapy Month: How Home Care and Caregivers Help Seniors Get Better

October is National Physical Therapy Month, and it’s a great time to talk about how physical therapy (PT) helps older adults get stronger and move better, especially after surgery or an injury. Physical therapy is super important for seniors to get back their independence, but most people only see their physical therapist a few times a week. This can make it hard to keep up with all the exercises needed to improve.

That’s where home care services and our caregivers can really help! Together, they make a great team that helps seniors stick to their therapy plan and stay on track with their recovery.

How Caregivers Support Physical Therapy at Home

Since physical therapists can only come to the house a few times each week, caregivers help fill in the gaps by being there every day. Here’s how they help:

1. Doing Exercises Every Day: Physical therapy works best when exercises are done daily. Caregivers can help seniors do their exercises many times throughout the day, making sure they get the practice they need to get better faster.
2. Encouragement and Support: Doing physical therapy exercises can be tough, and sometimes seniors may not feel like doing them. Caregivers can encourage them to keep going and cheer them on, which helps them stay motivated, especially if family members can’t be there all the time.
3. Keeping Track of Progress: It’s important to know how well someone is doing with their physical therapy. Caregivers can keep notes on the exercises, how the senior is feeling, and any improvements they make. This information helps the physical therapist make changes to the plan if needed and helps the family stay informed.
4. Helping with Everyday Tasks: After surgery or an injury, doing simple things like getting dressed or making meals can be challenging, and sometimes even dangerous. Caregivers can help with these daily activities, so seniors don’t have to worry while they focus on their recovery. Learn more about our home care services.
5. Making the Home Safe: A safe home is important when doing physical therapy. Caregivers can help keep the house free of clutter, make sure mobility aids are used properly, and reduce the chances of falls.

Why Do Seniors Need Physical Therapy?

There are lots of reasons older adults need physical therapy. Here are five of the most common:

1. Recovering from Surgery: After surgeries, like hip or knee replacements, hospital to home physical therapy helps seniors regain strength and movement.
2. Falls or Balance Problems: Many older adults need physical therapy after a fall to help improve their balance and prevent more falls.
3. Arthritis: Physical therapy can help with joint pain by strengthening muscles and making it easier to move.
4. Stroke Recovery: After a stroke, PT is very important for getting back movement and coordination. This therapeutic intervention also is often in tandem with occupational therapy.
5. Chronic Conditions: Diseases like Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis often require ongoing physical therapy to help manage symptoms and stay mobile.

Home Care and Physical Therapy: A Winning Team

Home care and physical therapy work really well together to help seniors recover and stay healthy. Physical therapists give expert guidance, while caregivers provide daily help and motivation. This partnership ensures seniors stay on track with their therapy, stay safe at home, and get the care they need every day.

At Assistance Home Care, our caregivers are ready to help your loved one with their physical therapy and daily care, making recovery as smooth as possible. We work closely with physical therapists to make sure your loved one is supported every step of the way. Reach out today and request a complimentary in-home care consultation to learn how in-home care can support your loved one’s road to recovery.