Blog #2
What to expect during your home visit with Emma
A physiotherapy assessment for an older person is designed to understand how they function in their own environment whether that is in their own home or care home. The aim is to identify ways to improve mobility, safety, independence and quality of life. It will be practical, friendly, holistic and tailored to the individual.
1. Initial conversation
Emma will start by gathering lots of information about your health and well-being. This will include but is not limited to, current health conditions, falls history, pain, mobility concerns, function with daily activities and any other information that is relevant to your physiotherapy needs. A consent form will be given to ensure you are happy with what to expect during your sessions with Emma.
2. Movement and physical assessment
Emma will then assess and observe lots of elements that will include your strength, range of movement, balance, mobility, transfers, pain levels and cognition (if required). Outcome measures will be used to enable us to reassess progress each session.
3. Home environment and safety
A key part of a home visit is looking at how the home affects mobility and safety. Emma will review entrances, steps/stairs, flooring and rugs, lighting and access to key rooms like bedrooms and bathrooms. She will also review any equipment that you may already have or that you may now need to improve your safety and independence.
4. Exercise and rehabilitation plan
Depending on the need Emma is likely to create you a personalised exercise plan where she will teach simple strength, balance or mobility exercises. These will be demonstrated and then practised together followed by a written exercise sheet which will be given to the client in the most appropriate format for them (e.g. email/paper copy).
5. Goal setting
One of the most important parts of the session will be to develop SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely) goals. This is key to success and patient satisfaction. As our rehabilitation journey progresses we will keep track of what goals have been achieved and what are outstanding in order to keep on track and to ensure patient centred care.
6. Next steps
Emma will then discuss with you the frequency of your follow-up appointments and ensure a time is booked in that is convenient for you. Team work is vital for effective rehabilitation and a good relationship is key to success. Your engagement will significantly improve your outcome and motivation to progress will help to achieve your goals. Emma is a highly motivating and enthusiastic individual which is why she is the right person to help you achieve your goals and improve your quality of life. Let's get started!