The majority of those 65 and over will have a reason to seek out physical therapy at some point, whether it’s for post-surgery rehabilitation or to improve their overall health. For many, the primary reason is mobility challenges: The CDC reports that 40% of seniors have mobility issues that keep them from functioning at their best. Whether it’s something as overwhelming as using a walker to get around or as simple as getting in and out of the shower, physical therapists can help older adults gain the skills and confidence to maneuver through their day and avoid falls or injury.
Thankfully, caregivers and older adults are no longer forced to travel to physical therapy. Because many seniors in need of physical therapy have difficulty getting around, in-home physical therapy can be a game-changer for them and their caregivers. Getting in and out of the car or navigating a new location like a PT facility can feel scary for seniors who have difficulty walking or feel physically unsure of themselves. And caregivers may get anxious and stressed about managing their older adult’s transportation as well as getting in and out of buildings, elevators and cars, which can often be complicated.
Benefits of bringing a physical therapist to your senior’s home
Bringing a physical therapist to the home is beneficial for many reasons beyond the difficulty of getting to the PT office.
Safety first
In-home physical therapy sessions allow the therapist to evaluate the home for safety hazards and give the caregiver tips for making the environment safer for the older adult.
Calmer environment
Sometimes, clinics and medical facilities can be noisy, busy and impersonal. And if your older adult has hearing loss, they may not understand all of their physical therapist’s instructions in a clinical setting. At-home sessions are quieter, more manageable for your senior to adapt to, and allow the therapist to get to know your situation better than they could in an office.
Health checks are easier
At-home visits give the therapist a consistent view of your senior’s health and well-being during each session. You may miss health issues while you’re busy maintaining the home and making sure the business of life gets done; the PT may spot challenges you don’t.
Life skills are addressed in real-time
Because the physical therapist is working in the home, they can help with specific challenges and see what needs to be done instead of imagining them during office visits. For example, suppose your senior has a hard time getting into bed. In that case, the physical therapist can suggest exercises and tools that make that easier by watching them actually get into bed rather than hearing it from you.
The burden is lifted
You may not mind the extra work of taking your senior to and from physical therapy, but it may make them feel like a burden. On the other hand, bringing a therapist to the home reduces the time you’ll spend preparing to go, driving to a clinic, and settling in when you return home.
Luna in-home physical therapists can help
Luna brings physical therapy to your home and can help your older adult with all their PT needs.
Luna verifies your senior’s benefits for you
Because Medicare covers almost all physical therapy, the out-of-pocket expenses should be minimal, if not zero. Plus, contrary to what you may believe, your senior doesn’t necessarily need a prescription for physical therapy. Use the form on the Luna site to sign up and find out if your older adult has coverage.
Luna finds the right physical therapist for your senior
There’s no one-size-fits-all therapist when you work with Luna. Instead, the company matches your loved one’s needs to the best-suited therapist to treat them.
Luna isn’t a 9-to-5 business
Luna is available seven days a week, from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. And the therapists work around your senior’s schedule; you don’t work around theirs.
Luna takes the time your senior needs to get well
Therapists in typical PT clinics and offices often have only 15 minutes to spend with patients, and the patient then does most of the exercises without much supervision or feedback. A Luna therapist spends 55 minutes at each appointment focusing on your loved one, ensuring the best possible treatment. Schedule your in-home PT appointment here.
Luna gets exceptionally positive reviews
In-home physical therapy is a win-win situation for you and your senior. With Luna, you can be sure your loved one is getting the best possible care. In 2021, when Luna clients were asked, “How likely is it that you would recommend Luna to a friend or colleague?” the response was overwhelmingly, “highly likely.”
Luna makes in-home physical therapy the easiest and most effective way to treat seniors.