Mobility Aids: What Are They?
Mobility aids aim to help people with walking and other daily activities, reducing the risk of fall, increasing confidence, and increasing their autonomy and independence.
For some people, the type of physiotherapy that they need is just not possible in our Horley clinic.
There are numerous reasons why it may not be possible or practical to physically get into see one of our team, or physiotherapy may just be more appropriate in your own home or care environment.
Home Visit Physiotherapy, also known as Domiciliary Physiotherapy, is a cornerstone of patient-centered care. It offers a host of advantages that may be more beneficial to certain clients than conventional clinic-based treatments.
Community Physiotherapy and Elderly Care Physiotherapy are specialties in their own rights, and that is why SB Physiotherapy have put together a team of physiotherapists who are experts in this field.
We are able to visit client’s in their own home, respite care, residential or nursing homes. Our Community Team cover Horley, Crawley, Redhill, Reigate, East Grinstead, Lingfield, Copthorne and surrounding areas. We may also be able to organise visits outside of these areas at request.
Examples of clients that our Community Physiotherapy Team have seen include;
In this post we will outline some of the benefits of utilising our Community Physiotherapy Team.
Personalised Comfort
There’s a therapeutic power in familiar surroundings. Home visit physiotherapy brings rehabilitation your doorstep, creating an environment where comfort and ease promote faster recovery. Patients find comfort and reassurance in their own spaces, which can lead to reduced stress and enhanced receptivity to treatment. This approach is particularly valuable for patients with anxiety, whose cognition is affected or those who feel uncomfortable in clinical settings.
When a patient is in a familiar environment, their stress levels tend to decrease. The anxiety often associated with clinical settings is replaced by a sense of security in the presence of home comforts. The mere act of being in one’s own space can initiate a positive feedback loop, where the body’s relaxation response is triggered, thus aiding the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
Convenience
The notion of convenience takes centre stage with home visit physiotherapy. By eliminating the need for patients to travel, this approach saves time and energy, making it especially beneficial for those with mobility challenges or post-surgery limitation. This convenience allows patients to focus solely on their rehabilitation journey, without the added stress of travelling.
For elderly patients or individuals with limited mobility, traveling to a clinic can be a daunting task. Pain levels may be aggravated by getting into a car and travelling to an appointment, and any reduction in pain, undone by the journey home.
Home visit physiotherapy addresses this issue head-on, ensuring that rehabilitation is accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical limitations. This may also extend to the patient’s family or caregivers, who are spared the logistical challenges of transporting the patient to and from appointments.
Treatment Plans Tailored to the Patient’s Own Environment
Assessing and treating patients in their own homes allows our Community Physiotherapists to tailor treatment plans that work with the patient’s home. With a good understanding of their environment, our Physiotherapy Team can suggest practical modifications and exercises that work alongside patient’s routines, helping a more effective recovery. Its all well and good being able to walk up and down three steps in a physiotherapy clinic room, but how well does this carry over to your stairs at home?
Designing our treatment plans based on the patient’s home environment can significantly improve outcomes. It allows us to take into account the patient’s habits, preferences, and unique challenges that may not be apparent in a clinic setting, leading to a more comprehensive and individual approach. This tailored strategy not only accelerates the rehabilitation process but also empowers the patient by showing that their specific needs are being considered.
A Holistic Approach
Our home visit physiotherapists gain insights into a patient’s living conditions that can significantly impact their rehabilitation process. This allows us to identify potential barriers to recovery and enables us to offer recommendations to optimise the home environment for safety and progress. For example, if a patient’s living space doesn’t have appropriate stair handrails or has obstacles, such as rugs that increase risk of falls, then we can provide guidance on how to address these issues.
A holistic approach towards the patients treatment plan and their home environment goes beyond physical safety. It includes elements such as lighting, noise levels, and even emotional well-being. We can provide guidance on creating a safer homely space in which to encourage progression and reduce risk of falls or regression. Our role is to help you build up your confidence, strength and stability in a safe way, to allow you to return to the quality of life you are used to.
Family Integration
Home visit physiotherapy can allow a greater collaboration between the patient, physiotherapist, family members and carers. It can make it easier for family to actively participate in the patient’s rehabilitation journey, learning about exercises and techniques that can be performed between physiotherapy sessions. This family involvement creates a robust support system that extends beyond the physiotherapy session, enhancing the patient’s motivation and adherence to the treatment plan.
Family involvement can have far-reaching effects on a patient’s well-being. It not only provides emotional support but also encourages accountability. When family members participate in exercises or help with implementing lifestyle changes, the patient is more likely to stay committed to their rehabilitation program.
Where appropriate, we actively encourage family members, carers and support staff to be involved in treatment sessions and to help out with home exercises or mobility practice.
Consistency Improved Outcomes
Consistency is a huge factor in successful rehabilitation. Home visit physiotherapy promotes consistent care by incorporating treatment into the patient’s daily routine. Without the challenges of transportation and scheduling conflicts, patients are more likely to engage in their exercise program regularly. This consistency translates to better outcomes and a smoother road to recovery.
Consistency not only applies to exercises but also to ongoing assessments and changes in treatment plan. With regular home visits, the physiotherapist can monitor the patient’s progress closely, making necessary modifications to the treatment plan based on real-time feedback. This adaptability ensures that the patient’s changing needs are met appropriately and effectively.
Transition from Hospital to Home:
After a hospital stay, the transition to home life can be overwhelming, especially for patients recovering from surgeries or serious medical conditions. Home visit physiotherapy bridges this gap, helping to provide a smooth transition from the structured hospital environment to the familiarity of home. Our physiotherapist can seamlessly continue the rehabilitation process, reducing the risk of setbacks and complications. We have a great relationship with the local NHS Community Teams and are able to co-ordinate our treatments around them and in some cases, have combined treatments.
The transition from hospital to home is a crucial phase in a patient’s recovery journey. Home visit physiotherapy ensures that the momentum gained during the hospital stay is not lost but rather built upon. By maintaining continuity in care, the patient can seamlessly transition into the next phase of their healing process.
Should you like to book an appointment then please call us on 01293 365011 or email info@sbphysiotherapy.co.uk
Our Community Team cover Horley, Crawley, Redhill, Reigate, East Grinstead, Lingfield, Copthorne and surrounding areas. We may be able to visit areas outside of this at request.
For further information on our Community Physiotherapy Team – please visit their page here
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