5 Important Benefits Your Senior Loved One Receives From Physical Therapy

In the right hands, physical therapy can be something that Anamosa residents look forward to.

After all, physical therapy is designed to help people of any age and any health conditions with a series of treatments for either specific injuries or general well-being, but it can provide other benefits to other areas of one’s life as well. That’s the message the staff at Above and Beyond Home Health Care wants community members to know.

The home health care service that serves Anamosa and other areas of Eastern Iowa offers patients access to the services of trained and personable physical therapists and physical therapist assistants who are on staff. They can visit your home regularly to provide treatment, which is easier than trying to arrange transportation to visit someone’s office. They’ll also be happy to answer questions or concerns from people who haven’t had physical therapy before, are worried that it will hurt, or think that it’s only for certain people with certain injuries.

Physical therapists can connect with a patient based on a recommendation from caregivers, the patients themselves, family members, other home health care staff, such as a visiting nurse, or perhaps the patient’s medical provider.

It may be recommended as a way to help someone who has just come out of the hospital or a rehab center, was in an accident, sustained an injury, had a long illness or has been diagnosed with a health condition that can reduce strength such as osteoporosis.

At the first meeting, the therapist will learn about the patient’s health, figure out which parts of the body or injuries to focus on first and create a schedule.

The value of physical therapy can be impressive. Five reasons include:

• It can reduce pain. Physical therapists have had training in what’s happening in the body that can cause physical pain, especially bones, muscles, and ligaments. They’ve also had training in the most effective methods to reduce or remove pain if it has these causes. A physical therapist might be especially excited about trying methods to treat pain, whether it’s something chronic that’s has grown over the years and the patient has simply learned to work with it, or new acute pain. A physical therapist has a variety of tools and techniques at their disposal.
• Physical therapy can improve other health conditions. While a patient may feel there’s only one injury taking place or an area of their body that can use some professional assistance, a physical therapist will know the body’s connections well so can determine if making improvements in one particular area will be able to cause improvements in other areas. For instance, someone may have been “making do” and “getting by” with a sore hip or lower back pain for years, even decades, thinking that there isn’t a lot that anyone can do to improve it or provide relief, short of surgery. But if a physical therapist is able to improve this area, the patient may discover that not only is the pain gone but their coordination and balance has improved.
• Physical therapy is often ruled “medically necessary.” If you’re watching your spending, you may question the value of spending on medical services that aren’t paid for by insurance and have to be paid for out of pocket. The good news is that these days, most private insurance programs and Medicare are finding ways to approve physical therapy as a part of patient care, either something direct or something complimentary. You may still have to pay some, depending on your particular Medicare program, but it’s encouraging that patients no longer have to pay for everything. This also shows that insurance companies and providers recognize the high amount of benefits that can be found. If you’re unsure, contact your insurance provider, health provider or Medicare advocate in your area.
• It can improve confidence. Because physical therapy is intended to reduce pain, build up someone’s strength and even improve balance and mobility, someone who has received regular treatments or discovered less pain from an injury that has been around for years may feel significantly better and able to do more. This good feeling also may spread to other areas of someone’s life including mental and emotional health. Not being in pain anymore or constantly being afraid that you’ll fall anywhere you go outside of your home can make someone feel downright liberated. This freedom could encourage someone to want to leave the home without being scared, whether it is a walk around the block or somewhere further for a vacation.
• Social interaction. Someone who doesn’t get out much due or afraid to go far due to health reasons may appreciate visits from various home health care personnel. And they also appreciate the ability to work with patients to improve their health. Clients may look forward to the weekly appointment not just from being able to feel better but to talk to the therapist.

The staff at Above and Beyond Home Health Care is happy to discuss options for physical therapy or other services.