Here we’ll share with you the 4 step process we use to help home care clients improve their independence at home.
Why a prioritised approach?
Because improving balance and mobility doesn’t happen overnight.
So whenever we meet a client, we work with them (and their home care coordinator) to change what we can in order of how quickly and easily the benefits can be realised.
Here’s how we do it:
1. Find the small aids and equipment that’ll immediately improve function
If a client has a mobility or movement restriction, we want to find the quick wins that’ll buy time while rehabilitation is taking place.
This means letting our clients know what equipment and aids are available to help them to reach their current potential in their ADLs
(while keeping them safe)
Examples of small things that’ve made a big difference to the independence of some of our home care clients include:
- Leg lifting straps
- Long handled sponges
- Handybar car transfer tools
- Walking stick holders
So whenever one of our home care physios or OTs sees a client for the first time, we look for the quick fixes
[we love it when a client says “I don’t know how I ever did without it”]
2. Develop safer and more efficient movement patterns
Getting fitter takes months… but learning how to move differently can be done in a matter of days. Or less.
So our next priority is to help clients make the most of what strength and mobility they already have.
Examples of movement skills that our home care physiotherapists and OTs have helped clients to get some quick improvements with include:
- Safe chair transfer technique
- Different ways to get out of bed
- Balance ‘step response’ recovery
- How to get up off the floor
- How to negotiate safer routes around obstacles
- Moving in a way that doesn’t stir up chronic pain.
One example:
The great thing about working on this stuff as a priority is that it can lead to an immediate improvement in function while also having a secondary effect of…
3. Improve strength, balance and mobility
The good news:
Research has shown that rates of improvement for older adults are very similar to younger adults
(there’s just usually a few more things to take into consideration when our physios are doing their exercise programming)
There’s no better job in the world than one where you get to witness things like clients regaining their ability to:
- Get out of their chair on the first go
- Take themselves to the toilet
- Walk to the shop again
- Lift their own legs into bed
But to be honest:
Regaining balance and mobility really does take consistent effort over time… and sometimes maintenance of function is our client’s goal.
So we might need to skip ahead to the next step…
4. Ramps, rails, and remodelling (if required)
Making some small changes to someone’s living environment can make a big difference:
Adding some recycled rubber ramps can mean safely getting in and out of the house.
Relocating a letterbox can prevent outside falls.
Re-hanging a door so that it opens the other way can mean that someone can get out to hang their own washing.
[occupational therapists who work in home care are a pretty cluey bunch]
Summary: Our 4 step approach to improving home care clients’ independence
At SA Homecare Therapies our physios and OTs love working with clients to improve or maintain function…
…but we understand that improving balance and mobility doesn’t happen overnight.
So whenever we can, we work with our clients (and their home care coordinators) to change what we can in order of how quickly and easily the benefits can be realised.
Interested in learning more about how we identify what’s important to our clients?