In-Home Physical Therapy in Westlake, OH

Free Consultation: 440-517-4623

Physical therapy is an important part of the recovery process for those who have suffered an injury, experienced a medical emergency like a stroke or a heart attack, or recently had surgery. While many who receive physical therapy visit a care facility, some may require physical therapy at home to regain their strength and restore their mobility. In-home physical therapy is especially beneficial for seniors who may not be in a condition to travel to a care center multiple times each week.

If you or a loved one requires physical therapy at home, our professionals at Assisting Hands Home Care can help. We work with partners that provide in-home physical therapy in Westlake, OH and the surrounding areas including North Ridgeville and North Olmsted, OH. Our professionals will pair you with an in-home physical therapy provider that can best meet the needs of your loved ones and advocate on their behalf to coordinate care. We can also provide personal care and assistance as your loved ones go through physical therapy and complete their recovery.

Seniors who have experienced the following may be prescribed in-home physical therapy:

• Knee or hip replacement surgery
• Heart attack
• Onset or worsening of a chronic medical condition
• Issues with balance and falling
• Difficulty walking
• Pain following a surgery, injury, or illness
• Decline in function due to Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, and other progressive neurological conditions
• Stroke or the loss of use in one or more extremities

What is In-Home Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is a type of care that helps relieve pain and restore strength and mobility to normal levels or to the highest possible level of functioning. This type of care is prescribed by a doctor and administered by a licensed physical therapist. For in-home physical therapy, a physical therapist can administer care in the private residence, group home, or senior living community of the care recipient.

Physical therapists have a deep understanding of how the body works and how to restore strength, balance, and mobility. They create personalized care plans based on the specific needs of your loved ones that may include a blend of treatment techniques such as hot and cold therapy, stretching and strengthening exercises, gait training, balance retraining, fall reduction strategies, and electrical stimulation. They will also educate the patient and their caregiver to help them better understand their treatment and limitations to aid in their recovery.

In-Home Physical Therapy Services

Our professionals at Assisting Hands Home Care will coordinate care with the physical therapist and your loved one’s doctor so that the physical therapist understands their specific needs and condition. They will then create a tailored care plan that may include the following:

• Balance training for fall prevention
• Strength training
• Heat and cold therapy
• Light therapy
• Personalized exercise program
• Vestibular rehabilitation to improve balance and reduce dizziness
• Training to help the patient walk and stand independently
• Manual therapy to isolate specific tissues and joints that are causing pain and other issues
• Electrical stimulation to reduce pain and improve function
• Ultrasound to promote blood flow and reduce inflammation
• Practice using canes, walkers, and other assistive devices
• Suggestions to make the home safer such as installing grab bars and removing trip hazards
• Education for patients and caregivers to better understand the patient’s conditions and needs

Physical therapists may teach patients at-home exercises that they can do between visits to speed up their recovery. The physical therapist will also adjust treatment as they progress and keep the patient, family, and caregivers updated on any changes.

The specific goals of physical therapy depend on the condition and needs of your loved ones. Their care plan may be designed to accomplish the following:

• Improve mobility
• Reduce pain and swelling
• Restore muscle control
• Restore prior levels of physical functioning
• Improve balance and flexibility
• Prevent further issues and disability
• Increase physical fitness and stamina
• Improve circulation
• Prevent rehospitalization
• Prevent falls
• Teach safe ways to stand, sit, lie down, and walk up and down stairs
• Teach breathing exercises to conserve energy
• Teach patient to use assistive devices
• Regain independence and resume normal levels of functioning

What to Expect from In-Home Therapy

On the first visit, the physical therapist will evaluate the specific needs of your loved ones based on their current condition and doctor’s orders. They will likely ask your loved ones the following questions:

• What pain or symptoms are you experiencing and what level is your pain?
• Do you have difficulty with bathing, dressing, or getting in and out of bed?
• How well are you sleeping?
• Do you have a history of illness or other health problems?
• What would you like to be able to do?

The therapist may then ask your loved ones to walk, bend, grasp, or walk up the stairs and evaluate their strength, balance, flexibility, range of motion, and posture. After their evaluation, the therapist will discuss the treatment plan and set up a schedule for treatment.

Every visit following the initial assessment will consist of a discussion of how your loved ones are feeling and any changes since the last visit. The physical therapist will then guide your loved one through their exercises and activities to work towards their rehabilitation goals. At the end of the visit, the physical therapist will update you, your loved ones, and their caregivers on their progress.

How Home Care from Assisting Hands Helps with Physical Therapy

While your loved ones receive in-home physical therapy, our caregivers can provide personal care and assistance to help further aid them in their recovery. In addition to coordinating physical therapy, our caregivers will be there to help between visits by providing the following:

• Help with activities of daily living (ADLs): Our caregivers will help your loved ones with ADLs such as bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, and other personal hygiene activities.
• Transferring and fall prevention: As your loved ones work through their physical therapy, our caregivers can help them safely move around the home and keep their path clear of trip hazards.
• Meal preparation: Our caregivers will prepare meals for your loved ones that follow their dietary requirements.
• Transportation and errands: We can take your loved ones to follow up appointments and help take care of important errands like grocery shopping.
• Light housekeeping: As your loved ones work to regain their strength, we can help with light housekeeping tasks such as vacuuming, washing dishes, doing laundry, and taking out the trash.
• Coordinate care: Our caregivers will help coordinate the care with the physical therapist and provide medication reminders to help with their recovery.

Call Assisting Hands Home Care for In-Home Physical Therapy

If your senior loved one is prescribed in-home physical therapy, our professionals at Assisting Hands Home Care can help coordinate and manage this care through one of our partners. We will understand the needs of your loved ones and match you with a licensed physical therapist that can best accommodate their needs.

You can call us at (440) 517-4623 to learn more about how we can help seniors who need in-home physical therapy in Westlake, OH and the surrounding areas.