One of the challenges for several of our clients is they are caring for a loved one while trying to manage their own health.
It’s therefore especially important they maintain mobility so they are sufficiently strong to be able to look after others.
Jo was originally referred to us by a fellow resident of the NSW retirement village where they both lived. Â
Jo needed surgery to fix her left hip after a fall, and after leaving hospital had been attending rehabilitation at a specialist facility, but would soon be going home.
Sue, a senior physiotherapist with The Physio Co (pictured below with Jo), visited Jo to see how they could help with her recovery. Sue noticed Jo looked exhausted and was very anxious.Â
Return to normality
During their appointment, Jo expressed her concern about going home and being able to look after her husband Chris, who was 95. Jo’s goal was to get home and return to normality in familiar surroundings.Â
Jo was reassured by her meeting with Sue and booked in for her first TPC session. She was moving slowly and had a lot of pain in her left hip, so she worked on physio exercises, balance and walking to improve her endurance, with the goal of getting back home to familiar surroundings.
Jo’s program began with bed exercises to increase the range of motion around her left hip, before progressing to sit-to-stand exercises and then rail exercises, again focusing on balance and strength.
She progressed nicely, and over the next three weeks built up her strength and endurance so she could return home to Chris.
Sue continued to see Jo at home to help her with pain relief for her hip. TPC also organised further scans and she had a cortisone injection into her hip to help with the pain.
Sadly, Chris passed away a few weeks after Jo returned home, but she has continued with her weekly sessions and recently added an extra two sessions fortnightly. Â
Walk short distances
Jo’s determination means she can now walk short distances without needing a stick or frame (and longer distances using her frame), and drive her car.
Her increased mobility also means minor spills around the house can be dealt with, adding to her sense of independence.
Just recently a bowl of pumpkin soup tipped over the bench and on the floor; undaunted, she was able to bend down and clean it up on her own. Small wins are important!Â
Jo was able to celebrate her 90th birthday with her family at Jonah’s Restaurant at Whale Beach, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, and now has her sights on a river cruise.
Congratulations Jo – for working hard with your physio and maintaining independence!
If you think we can help you (or your elderly Mum or your Dad) get back to doing something they love, please contact our customer care team to find out how we can work together.