Physical Therapy at Home
DaNurse is dedicated to contributing to the well-being of our community, helping patients take charge of their health by providing traditional home care services, along with supporting preventative care through patient and public health education programmes. We are committed to the delivery of community-oriented, culturally sensitive, and affordable healthcare services for our patients and families.
We are RNs, RPNs, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and medical social workers. But above all, we’re caring, compassionate mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters. We understand how important it is for people to remain surrounded by family and the familiarity of home—which is why we deliver a complete range of in-home care that is always tailored to the needs of our patients.
What Does an In-Home Physical Therapist Do?
Physical therapists work on muscle tension, joint restrictions, impaired movement, and other symptoms caused by illness, injuries, and strenuous repeated activities.
DaNurse’s physical therapy approach is unique in that our therapists are mobile and come to you whenever and wherever it is convenient! We work on a flexible schedule to accommodate your lifestyle, whether you have limited mobility due to age or an injury, or you have a jam-packed schedule with little room for appointments.
Physical therapy is not a one-time event. It consists of a series of exercises and lifestyle changes that must be followed. Our GTA team recognises that each client has a unique lifestyle and works with them to design a programme that fits their timetable and surroundings in the home.
Physical therapists help ill or injured people manage pain and improve movement by :
- Reviewing a patient’s medical history
- Diagnosing their movements and functions
- Developing individualised care plans
- Using stretching manoeuvres, exercises, equipment, and hands-on therapy
- Evaluating and recording progress
- Educating patients and their families
Who Benefits from Physical Therapy at Home?
- Anyone who has muscle tears, strains or sprains.
- After a hip replacement, knee replacement, or shoulder surgery.
- Anyone who suffers from arthritis.
- Anyone who suffers from MS, or has had a stroke.
- Injuries related to car accidents.
- After a debilitating illness or hospitalisation.
What Is Physical Therapy Care at Home?
Physical therapy at home is when a physical therapist comes to your home to provide rehabilitation services, usually after an injury or illness. The most common reasons to do physical therapy at home rather than in an outpatient facility include:
- You can’t travel to therapy because your functional mobility is too limited
- Leaving home presents a health risk because your condition is severe or acute
- You don’t have access to transportation to get you to physical therapy.
Whether you need help around the home or home health care staffing for an elderly relative, DaNurse has the experience, qualifications, and compassion needed to enjoy the best possible quality of life.
Providing exceptional Physical Therapy at Home for seniors and families in GTA Toronto, Etobicoke, Oakville, Mississauga, Halton Hills, Vaughn, Niagara Falls, Burlington, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Hamilton, & Scarborough.
Types of Physical Therapy
There are 6 main types of physical therapy. Depending on your specific needs, you may require more than one type of physical therapy at home.
Geriatric Physical Therapy
As people age, some muscles don’t work as well as they used to. With the ageing population, physical therapy for older adults is one of the most common types of therapy. A physical therapist at home can help people learn to adjust their gait and posture, compensate for weakened muscles, and reduce the chance of future injuries.
Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Physical Therapy
A less common – but no less important – type of physical therapy is cardio and pulmonary physical therapy, which helps people with severe circulatory system or heart problems. The goal is to increase the endurance of specific muscles and give people a better ability to become self-reliant.
Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Even after they heal, injuries can cause long-term damage to muscle strength. Atrophy caused by reduced use of a muscle or immobility after surgery may require orthopaedic physical therapy to regain the muscle’s former strength.
Neurological Physical Therapy
Brain or spine injuries or problems may require neurological physical therapy that focuses on improving the quality of life for patients, even if these injuries won’t heal all the way.
Vestibular Physical Therapy
Dizziness can cause dangerous falls, so people who struggle with vertigo may benefit from vestibular physical therapy that strengthens certain muscles for increased steadiness and also focuses on balance training.
How Can You Tell if Your Loved One Needs Physical Therapy?
Physical therapists help if your loved one is in pain, has trouble moving, needs help to function, or wants to prevent disability. Some examples of when a loved one may need physical therapy include:
- They’re recovering from a hip or knee replacement
- They’re having trouble with daily activities
- They’re struggling with balance issues
- They had a heart attack
What to Look for in a Physical Therapy at Home Provider
Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re searching for the perfect at-home physical therapist:
- Do your research. Find a therapist who specialises in what you need, is covered by your insurance (if applicable), and is a licenced physical therapist.
- Choose a physical therapist you get along with and trust.
- Ask if the same physical therapist will come to the home every time.
- Find out if you need to do anything to prepare yourself for the first visit.
What Are the Benefits of Physical Therapy at Home?
Physical therapy at home offers many benefits, including:
- Convenience. There is no denying that a physical therapist coming to your home is more convenient than travelling to an outpatient facility.
- Increased functionality. When a physical therapist works with a patient in their home, they can show the patient exactly how to do the exercises in their specific home environment, which leads to better understanding and adherence to the programme.
- One-on-one care. In outpatient physical therapy settings, physical therapists may be busy juggling several patients at once with paperwork or other duties. With in-home physical therapy, the therapist can focus solely on the patient.
- Prevent falls and major injuries. Physical therapists measure a patient’s biomechanics – their ability to use their bodies efficiently and correctly – to look for signs of balance issues, weak muscles, or changes in the way someone walks. Then, they create a customised plan that has the ultimate goal of helping to prevent falls and serious injuries.
- Less stressful. Outpatient physical therapy centres can be crowded, noisy, and large, making the already stressful experience of physical therapy even.
Our mission is to reduce pain and suffering in homes across the Greater Toronto area. Find out more about us.
Now that you’re ready to get started, let’s chat about your senior care challenges. If you have questions, we have answers.
