Home Physiotherapy Services
Home Physiotherapy for Those Who Can’t Come to Us
Retrofit is now offering home visits for physiotherapy – Our physiotherapy team specialises in elderly care and those with chronic illnesses. For many elderly individuals grappling with chronic illnesses like strokes, parkinson’s disease, or facing increased frailty prone to falls, maintaining mobility and independence becomes a daily challenge. This is where our home physio comes in, to help our beloved elders move better and live better.
Empowering Elderly Individuals: The Benefits of Home Physiotherapy for Chronic Illnesses
The ageing process often brings forth various health challenges. Chronic illnesses like strokes and Parkinson’s disease can severely impact mobility, coordination, and overall functionality. Additionally, frail elders face a higher risk of falls, leading to injuries that can further restrict movement and confidence.
Bringing physiotherapy to the doorstep of immobile elders allows for treatment in a comfortable and familiar environment. This promotes a sense of security and eliminates the stress and physical exertion associated with travelling to clinics or hospitals.
Tailored Treatment Plans According to Individual Needs
Certified physiotherapists conduct comprehensive assessments to understand the unique challenges that each individual faces. From strokes to Parkinson’s disease or frailty issues, these professionals design personalized treatment plans aimed at improving mobility, balance, strength, and coordination.
Our home physio team is experienced in treating all conditions related to the musculoskeletal system, including the following:
A stroke occurs when either there is a blockage to the flow of blood to the brain or when there is bleeding in the blood. There are mainly 2 classifications for stroke: Ischemic (blockage of blood flow) or haemorrhagic (bleeding in the brain). Both types of strokes lead to damage to brain cells. This damage to brain cells usually shows up as signs of stroke such as weakness and/or numbness to one side of the body/face and even speech comprehension or execution.
After a stroke, there may be residual effects to the body such as weakness and speech issues, which hinder the activity of daily living. Physiotherapy can assist by helping with the stretching and strengthening of muscles to prevent further deconditioning of the body and to assist clients to achieve optimal levels of independence according to their rehab potential. Physiotherapy can also assist with caregiver training to ensure that the caregiver is well-equipped with the techniques to care for the client without putting themself or the client at risk of injury.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that gradually affects the nervous system leading to uncontrollable movement such as stiffness, trembles and poor balance/coordination. Usually, symptoms begin gradually and worsen over time.
Physiotherapy can assist with the management and reducing the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Through physiotherapy, exercises with the inclusion of movement strategies will be able to assist in improving/maintaining a level of function and lead to a better quality of life. Physiotherapy can also assist in guiding caregivers in assisting clients with proper techniques to prevent the risk of injury.
Elders prone to falls often fear moving around, leading to a sedentary lifestyle that can exacerbate their condition. Home-based physiotherapy sessions target specific exercises to enhance balance, stability, and confidence in movements, significantly reducing the risk of falls.
As Singapore has an ageing population, it is expected that frailty among the elderly will rise from the current 5-6% to 27% in 2030. Among those, it was reported that 10% of the elderly above 65 years old have mild to moderate frailty while 5% in the same age population have severe frailty.
Frailty is a state of reduced physical function associated with increased risk of adverse effects to health such as longer hospital admission, loss of independence in self-care and frequency of fall. Frailty is usually a result of age-related decline in the body’s function such as lower physical activity, weakness and poor endurance.
In Singapore, respiratory diseases such as COPD are among the 20 leading causes of disability. Such respiratory conditions can severely impact a person’s effort tolerance and mobility.
Outside of respiratory conditions, other medical conditions may lead to inability to clear secretion resulting in a necessity of external equipment such as suctioning to assist with good airway hygiene. Without good airway hygiene, it will increase risk of contracting an infection.
Chest physiotherapy will be able to assist in the management of respiratory conditions via strategies in conserving energy and breathing techniques. Chest physiotherapy will also be able to assist in maintenance of good airway hygiene and also with training to caregivers in proper techniques for suctioning or use of other equipment such as a cough assist machine.
The Holistic Impact of Home Physiotherapy on Quality of Life
Apart from the physical impact of physiotherapy, there are other emotional aspects that one can gain from home visit sessions. The sense of independence gained from being able to undergo therapy at home can significantly boost an elder’s emotional well-being. Feeling empowered to actively participate in their rehabilitation journey often leads to improved mental health.
By regaining mobility, reducing fall risks, and managing symptoms of chronic illnesses, elders experience a tangible enhancement in their quality of life. This allows them to engage more freely in daily activities and maintain connections with their community.
Home physiotherapy is not just about exercises; it’s about restoring hope, confidence, and independence. For immobile elders facing chronic illnesses like strokes, Parkinson’s disease, or heightened fall risks due to frailty, these personalized sessions offer a lifeline to a more fulfilling and mobile life.
By bringing expert care directly to their homes, physiotherapists empower these individuals to navigate their challenges and reclaim their freedom. It’s a testament to the transformative power of tailored care, compassion, and dedication to enhancing the lives of our elderly population. To book a home visit for physiotherapy sessions, get in touch with our team!
Frequently Asked Questions
Home Physiotherapy is ideal for those who are home bound, seniors and those who have chronic health conditions, such as: strokes, Parkinson’s Disease, etc.