How Can Home Care Help Support Physical Health, Activity & Recovery?

When seniors return home after hospitalization or rehab, recovery truly begins. As a caregiver, you play a vital role in helping clients regain strength and independence—especially by supporting consistent OT/PT exercise routines.

Adherence to prescribed exercises is crucial. Skipping them can lead to functional decline, rehospitalizations, and worsening of chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. However, with your ongoing encouragement, these routines can become sustainable habits that improve both physical and cognitive outcomes.

Caregiver Tips to Support Movement and Recovery
1. Collaborate with Therapists
Maintain open communication with OT/PT professionals. Ask for hands-on demonstrations and written instructions with visuals. Report changes in condition to ensure exercises remain safe and effective.
2. Link Exercise to Personal Goals
Connect routines to activities your client values—gardening, walking with grandchildren, or attending a family event. Meaningful goals boost motivation and consistency.
3. Create a Supportive Environment
Establish a routine, ensure a safe and clutter-free space, and manage discomfort with timely medication or heat/cold. A positive emotional tone fosters confidence and reduces anxiety.
4. Assist Safely and Confidently
Help with positioning, offer physical support during balance activities, and provide feedback to maintain proper form. Track progress and celebrate small wins.
5. Integrate Movement into Daily Life
Encourage light chores, short walks, or dancing to favorite music. Promote standing or stretching every 30–60 minutes to reduce sedentary time.

Final Thought
​Your support can turn medically necessary exercises into life-enhancing habits. By approaching care with compassion, structure, and encouragement, you help clients not just recover—but thrive.
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👉 Don’t forget to read our companion article: “How Important is Movement and OT/PT Exercises for Elderly Patients?” for deeper insights.

References
Lee IF, Yau FN, Yim SS, Lee DT. Evaluating the impact of a home-based rehabilitation service on older people and their caregivers: a matched-control quasi-experimental study. Clin Interv Aging. 2018 Sep 12;13:1727-1737. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S172871. PMID: 30254432; PMCID: PMC6140694.
Covinsky, K. E., Palmer, R. M., Fortinsky, R. H., Counsell, S. R., Stewart, A. L., Kresevic, D., … & Landefeld, C. S. (2003). Loss of independence in activities of daily living in older adults hospitalized with medical illnesses: increased vulnerability with age. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 51(4), 451-458.
Forkan, R., Pumper, B., Smyth, N., Wirkkala, H., Ciol, M. A., & Shumway-Cook, A. (2006). Exercise adherence following physical therapy intervention in older adults with impaired balance. Physical Therapy, 86(3), 401-410.
American Physical Therapy Association. (2019). Physical therapy guide to healthy aging. APTA.
Piercy, K. L., Troiano, R. P., Ballard, R. M., Carlson, S. A., Fulton, J. E., Galuska, D. A., & Olson, R. D. (2018). The physical activity guidelines for Americans. JAMA, 320(19), 2020-2028.