Care Home Visits

Physiotherapy plays an essential part in promoting and maintaining mobility for people in Care Homes. At Sammy Margo Physiotherapy we have been helping people in Care Homes for many years.

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What Do We Treat?

Here is a list of pathologies that we treat:

• Back Pain

• Neck pain

• Arthritis

• Fractures

• Falls

• Chest Infections

• Post-Surgery Rehabilitation

• Balance Problems

• Gait re-education

• Strokes

• Parkinsons'

• Loss of Confidence

• Generalised reduced mobility

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Losing the ability to move freely, and as a consequence losing your independence, is a huge fear for a lot of people. As we age, these possibilities become a little closer to reality, and it can be difficult to know what you can do to keep your independence as time goes on.

 

There are a number of ways to increase mobility as well as ways to ensure that you don’t lose it in the first place. One of our favourite sayings at Sammy Margo Physiotherapy is 'if you don't use it, you will lose it!'.

 

It’s important to understand that the body functions in a way that builds strength where muscles are used and diminishes strength where muscles aren’t used. Our muscles atrophy and diminish when we’re laid up in bed for a few weeks, and those same muscles can grow if we use them and increase if worked on.

 

Similarly, our cardiovascular and nervous systems are benefited when we use our bodies regularly and establish healthy lifestyles.

Sitting on a recliner chair for most of the day, day after day,  will only do harm to your mobility as time goes on – use it or lose it!

 

Here are some techniques we use at Sammy Margo Physiotherapy to get you going. As with most exercise routines, it’s hard to get started. We can help you get on the right path and motivate you to maintain yourself going forward:

 

Daily Stretching

Establishing a well-rounded stretching routine.

Stretching allows your muscles to get woken up before their used. In a lot of cases, people who stretch regularly are more open to the idea of actually using those muscles because they feel more limber. No one wants to work out or go for a walk if they’re feeling tight or sore.

Stretching your muscles regularly is an excellent safeguard against injury. If you keep your body stretched and healthy, you’ll have a wider range of movement and your muscles will be more resilient to the normal wear and tear of daily life.

 

Cardio and Strength Training

A comprehensive health routine should include strength training and cardio. Cardio is one of the best mobility exercises for the elderly. The words ‘strength training’ and ‘cardio’ might seem a little scary to you right now if you’re not in the habit of exercising.

 

Cardio exercise is to get your heart rate to speed up to a consistent rate for around 30 minutes. Strength training simply refers to a practice of  using your major muscles in a repetitive way. Exercising at least three times a week can help with both Cardio and Strength Training and can be broken down into bite size chunks. Believe it or not, simply going on a light walk for half an hour or even 10 lots of 3 minutes walking can benefit you.

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Balance

Exercising regularly will also help to establish your body’s ability to balance itself. As we ease into old age, our balance is one of the things that slowly diminishes. Just like everything else with the body, though, our balance can be improved if we use it regularly. We can help you with tailored advice from our visiting therapist to help you improve your balance.

As well as walking, practices like yoga, tai chi, dancing, and Pilates can help to establish and reinforce hand-eye coordination, as well as your general sense of coordination and balance.

 

If your goal is to maintain and increase mobility, what matters is that you exercise regularly and are focused on the exercises while they’re happening. Our trained physiotherapists at Sammy Margo can visit you in your care home and help you get started.

Your body will absolutely benefit from these practices over time.

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Improve Lost Mobility

If you’re starting to notice that your mobility is waning over time, now is the time to start curbing that process.

Small losses in mobility that you notice may be improved by some of the ideas listed above. Stretches, exercises, and different physical practices should definitely have an effect on your mobility. You may notice that specific muscles are having trouble, and it’s important to target those muscles in your exercises.

If you think that the process has gone a little further along than you’d like, it’s smart to consult with a physiotherapist which we can do in your care home. We will explore the options with you that will work for you.

 

Another thing to keep in mind is that mobility and independence are closely tied. If you think that your mobility has decreased then don’t wait until you need help with every day tasks. Our therapists can visit you in your care home and help you now so you can keep your independence and do the things you want to do when you want to do them.

 

Physio in your Care Home

Sammy Margo Physiotherapy provides highly skilled physiotherapists with extensive experience of visiting you in your care home.

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How does Care Home Physiotherapy Help?

Getting Mobile

Physiotherapists can help regain and improve mobility again, provide walking aids, improve strength and flexibility with exercise, prevention of falls, coordination and improving daily function.

Care home staff are often very busy therefore not having the time to encourage walking and moving around. Our physiotherapists can help to keep mobility and strength at its maximum and regain any that may have already been lost. Physiotherapists can also visit you at your home or in a care home after an operation or a fall. We will devise a rehabilitation plan with you and get you back on your feet as quickly as possible.

 

Fall Prevention

Fall Prevention is one of the most important things that our Physios can help with.

On average, residents in UK care homes may fall from two to six times a year, according to the findings in a report from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The good news, however, is that interventions that are designed to reduce falls are effective.

COVID-19 Safety

Our Physios wear PPE as per government guidelines for Care Homes so that they can carry out COVID-safe visits. We will liaise with your care home to ensure we meet all their requirements and to find an appropriate and safe space for your session.

 

Organise an Appointment

Please feel free to call us to discuss the details of your situation. No call is unwarranted and our caring and experienced therapist will be able to tell you if we think we can help.

 

Our number is 020 7435 4910 or email physiophysio@hotmail.com

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