Helping Older Adults Thrive at Home: The Importance of Geriatric Rehabilitation in the Home Setting

The first place of choice, if any, that an older person should be thriving in, is in their home.

For older adults requiring rehabilitation, home-based geriatric rehabilitation (sometimes also known as Geri Home Physio), offers numerous advantages. It not only alleviates any intimidation associated with rehabilitation but also eliminates the hassle of travelling to the clinic. Moreover, conducting rehabilitation at home allows for a more context-focused approach, facilitating better translation and transition of exercises and movement practise into their activities.

In this article, we will explore how a home based setting may be a better option for an older adult to receive rehabilitation.

Feeling at Ease in a Familiar Environment

Exercising in a familiar environment can significantly reduce any feelings of intimidation towards rehabilitation for older adults.

Home-based geriatric rehabilitation allows individuals to ease into their sessions more quickly. The familiarity of the surroundings, coupled with personalized care from a physiotherapist, helps create a comfortable and supportive atmosphere. By feeling at ease, older adults are more likely to engage actively in their rehabilitation program, ultimately leading to better outcomes.

Convenience of Appointments

One of the primary advantages of home-based geriatric rehabilitation is the elimination of time and effort required to travel to and from a clinic.

This is particularly important for older individuals who may have limited energy levels due to reasons such as a recent hospitalization or fall. By conducting rehabilitation at home, therapists can commence treatment as early as possible, avoiding delays that may hinder the recovery process. Home-based sessions not only conserve the older adult's energy but also offer the convenience of not having to arrange for transportation or worry about appointment scheduling.

Relating Exercises to Daily Activities

Home-based geriatric rehabilitation allows older adults to easily see how their rehabilitation exercises can be applied in the context of their daily activities.

By performing exercises within their own living spaces, individuals can easily relate the movements to tasks they perform regularly. This connection strengthens their understanding of how the exercises contribute to improving their abilities in daily life. Moreover, relating exercises to daily activities enhances motivation, making rehabilitation sessions more engaging and enjoyable for older adults. Through progressively building their physical abilities and capacity, individuals can regain confidence and strength before reintegrating into the wider community. By gradually expanding their horizons beyond the home, older adults can continue their journey toward thriving and remain active members of their desired communities.

Safely Navigating the Home Environment

A crucial goal of geriatric rehabilitation is to enable older adults to move around their homes safely and independently.

Home-based rehabilitation perfectly integrates the novelty of exercises while helping individuals apply them within their familiar home settings. By practicing and improving movements within their living spaces, older adults gain confidence in navigating their homes and performing day-to-day tasks. The ability to regain mobility and independence within their cherished living environment positively impacts their overall well-being.

Personalized Recommendations and Troubleshooting

Home-based geriatric rehabilitation offers therapists a unique opportunity to assess potential risks in the living environment tailored to the older adult's specific needs.

By observing the individual's movements and testing modifications or equipment within their home, therapists can provide personalized recommendations. This level of customization ensures that older adults receive specific guidance to enhance their safe and optimal mobility. By addressing challenges unique to the home environment, therapists can foster more effective progress and better long-term outcomes for their clients.

Empowering Older Adults

Home-based geriatric rehabilitation serves not only as a means of recovery but also as a great place to build rapport and trust, thereby treating not just the physical needs of older adults, but their psychological needs as well.

In the comfort and familiarity of the home environment, older adults are more likely to open up and share personal goals they would have, or fears with their condition. For example, their desire to regain strength in their arms may be because they wanted to play with their grandchildren, or be able to brush their teeth on a daily basis. It is only through building that relationship that we are able to connect with older adults and help them to attain the fulfilment that they are looking for beyond physical recovery.

Through home-based geriatric rehabilitation, older adults can thrive within the comfort and familiarity of their own homes. By leveraging the advantages of a context-focused approach, personalized care, and convenience, older adults can regain mobility, independence, and safety in their daily lives.

At Thrive Healthcare, we prioritize empowering older adults to thrive in their homes and communities. If you or a loved one are in need of geriatric rehabilitation, consider the benefits of home-based care and the opportunities it presents for a successful recovery and journey toward thriving.

Find our more about geriatric rehab here. If you have elderly in your home who need a guided class and community to exercise with, check out our Legends programme here.