How do I locate a trained individual to come into the home and guide my elderly Mom through an exercise routine right for her?

Windy how old is your mom? Does she have physical restrictions or issues?

great reply stegman. for EVERYTHING see family doc. our family doc even told hospice to watch their manners in our home or hit the dusty trail .
were trying to get the cost out of medicine so rehab therapists are beginning to visit in home as opposed to condensed courses in hospital..

Extremely helpful information. I will surely look into this approach for mom. Thank you so very very much.

Just can't keep my thoughts together enough for just one post! Sorry about that.

It's occurred to me that if your mother was willing to try PT at a physical therapy facility that she would have the benefit of heat and cold therapy as well, which would help any aches and pains she might develop.

It may be that home PT will be successful enough that your mother is willing to go out for PT; she would have a chance to socialize if she enjoys that.

But I wouldn't go to a gym. From what I've seen in this area, they're oriented toward younger people who really want to push themselves. I've never felt comfortable in the few I've been in.

The physical therapy facilities (different ball game entirely) offer better therapy and have other patients who are physician referred. The atmosphere is much different.

It's just occurred to me also that some physicians have PT in their offices. The facilities and machines are typically limited, but it is a more private setting than a physical therapy facility. Our orthopaedic doctor and a rehab specialist both have in-office PT. I had that for a rotator cuff tear and it was excellent. Generally there was one other patient there but otherwise it was private. But I did have to go to the office for PT.

Hope you find a good therapist that your mother likes.

Yes, PT will come to the home, but it is ordered by her MD. If he won't order PT, then you hire someone and you pay out of pocket for it.

Sorry for my confusing response...I'm logged in now and see you wrote extensively for me. Thank you, I'll read all you have to say about physical therapy..THANK YOU!

Thank you very much for the idea. She has had physical therapy in the past, covered by Medicare, for a bad shoulder. Are you suggesting there are physical therapists who make regular house calls to help elders exercise?

You will have a choice of which therapy company to bring in after you get the script. Over the years, I've found the best ones for in-facility therapy are hospital affiliated, but sometimes their home care varies.

We've used a therapy company we discovered at a local senior health expo, after discussing with them what our goals were and what Dad wanted from therapy. We were pleased with their therapy but I wasn't satisfied with their intransigent attitude toward representations originally made at the health expo.

You can make a list of your goals for your mother, call different local companies, and ask what types of exercises they would give to achieve them. Some therapists use a very standard variety with little variation and the routines get boring.

Remember that Medicare has a limit on in-home PT - either $1800 or $1900 worth, although I'm not certain about the exact amount. Sometimes physicians will certify that a patient needs continued therapy and Medicare will pay for it.

You ask her MD to order a Physical Therapist. PT is covered by Medicare.