Why More Seniors Are Choosing At-Home Physical & Occupational Therapy

By: Dr. Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist and

Owner of Healthy Aging Physical Therapy

At Healthy Aging Physical Therapy, we specialize in bringing expert care to your doorstep. Outpatient at-home therapy means you get the same high-quality physical or occupational therapy you'd receive in a clinic — but in the comfort, safety, and convenience of your home.

So, why do patients (and their doctors!) turn to us?

Here are the Top 5 Reasons we get referrals for outpatient at-home PT and OT:

1) Fall Risk & Balance Issues

Let’s start with the biggest one — fall prevention.
Falls are the leading cause of injury and hospitalization in older adults, and 60% of them happen at home.

By treating balance issues where they happen most — in the actual environment you live in — we can make a major impact on your safety. Our therapists assess your home for hazards, recommend simple modifications (like grab bars or lighting changes), and provide targeted balance training to reduce your fall risk and keep you confident and independent.

This is our #1 reason for referral — and for good reason. Learn more about our Balance and Falls Program Here

2) Difficulty Leaving the House

Getting to the clinic isn’t always easy. Many of our patients no longer drive, rely on family or caregivers for rides, or find the process of getting ready, getting out, and getting home exhausting.

With outpatient-at-home therapy, we eliminate the transportation barrier and bring care straight to you.
That means you get to use your energy for your session — not the drive — and caregivers get a break from extra errands and logistics. Plus, we often find better focus, higher participation, and more consistent follow-through when therapy is done at home.

3) Parkinson’s Disease

We specialize in helping individuals with Parkinson’s Disease live fuller, more active lives.
Our therapists and trainers are certified in PWR! Moves, an evidence-based therapy program designed specifically for people with Parkinson’s — and our PD program goes far beyond just therapy.

We offer:

• Individualized PT & OT

• Group fitness classes tailored for Parkinson’s

• Personal training with PD-certified instructors

• Complex case management

• Home safety evaluations and cognitive support strategies

From diagnosis to long-term maintenance, we’re with you every step of the way.

📘 Learn more about our Parkinson’s Program Here

4) Recent Hospital Stay

Even a short hospital stay can cause serious weakness and deconditioning in older adults. Research shows that just 48 hours in a hospital can lead to muscle loss, reduced balance, and increased fall risk.

Whether you were hospitalized for an illness, injury, or surgery, therapy is often essential to helping you get back on your feet — and back to your prior level of function.

We meet you at home as soon as you're ready, and help build a plan to regain your strength, restore your confidence, and safely resume your daily routines.

5) Back & Joint Pain

As we age, it’s common to experience arthritis, spinal degeneration, and general wear-and-tear that leads to aches, pains, and stiffness.

But here’s the difference: While orthopedic clinics often treat just the pain site, our geriatric specialists take a whole-body, whole-person approach — looking at your posture, strength, mobility, balance, and lifestyle. We help you reduce pain and improve how you move, so you can stay active and avoid future injuries.

Why At-Home Therapy Works

Outpatient-at-home therapy is not home health care — it’s the same outpatient services you’d receive in a clinic, but delivered at home. We’re fully licensed, accept Medicare Part B and most managed Medicare plans, and provide:

• 1:1 focused sessions

• Expert therapists and assistants

• Continuity of care with the same provider

• A personalized, goal-driven approach

📘 Learn more about Outpatient at Home Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy here.

Want to Learn More?

📞 Give us a call or talk to your provider about a referral. You can register online for a new evaluation by following the link below:

Ready to Supercharge Your Rehab from Home? Meet Motus Nova!

By: Dr. Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist and Owner of Healthy Aging Physical Therapy

At Healthy Aging Physical Therapy, we’re always exploring innovative ways to help our patients stay strong, independent, and thriving — and Motus Nova may be the perfect complement to therapy for those recovering from stroke, injury, or facing challenges with hand or foot mobility.

We recently had a fantastic Lunch & Learn with Alyssa Carmell, Occupational Therapist, who introduced us to this cutting-edge robotic and AI-powered rehabilitation tool. We left feeling inspired, informed, and excited about the possibilities it opens up for our patients.

So we wanted to share it with you — because Motus Nova isn’t just an exciting new rehab tool that can improve fine motor control and ankle function… it’s also covered by Medicare!

What is Motus Nova?

Motus Nova (“Nova” means new) is a robotic rehabilitation system originally designed for hospitals and rehab centers — but now available for use right in your living room!

There are two devices:

• Motus Hand – helps improve grip, strength, and fine motor control in your wrist, hand, and fingers

• Motus Foot – helps with ankle strength, balance, walking, and foot control

Each device uses advanced robotics and fun, game-like exercises to help retrain your muscles and brain. You don’t need to be tech-savvy, and our team can work directly with Motus Nova to help get everything set up and adjusted just for you.

Who Can Benefit from Motus Nova?

Motus Hand or Motus Foot may be a great option if you’ve experienced:

• A stroke, even many years ago

• Weakness or stiffness in the hand, arm, foot, or ankle

• Difficulty with grip strength, balance, or walking

• Challenges with rehab after injury or surgery

• High or low muscle tone

Whether you’re still in therapy or it’s been a while since you worked on recovery, Motus Nova gives you a chance to continue improving from home — on your schedule.

Why We’re Excited About It

✔️ More reps, more often – Use it daily at home, increasing intensity without exhausting yourself
✔️ Engaging and fun – Play games while getting stronger!
✔️ Designed for home use – No travel, no need for Wi-Fi, and therapist-supported setup
✔️ Customizable – Works for people with no movement or for those who need to fine-tune strength and control

Alyssa shared how patients using Motus Nova have made real, meaningful gains in their independence — and how adding this tool can jumpstart progress when clinic visits alone aren't enough.

Want to Try It? Here's How

If you're working with one of our therapists and we feel that Motus Nova might be a helpful addition to your care, we can arrange a free in-home demo so you can try it out for yourself.

We’ll guide you through setup, talk about how it fits into your rehab or wellness plan, and help you decide if it’s something you want to continue with. No pressure — just options and support.

We’re so grateful to Alyssa from Motus Nova for sharing her time and expertise — and we’re even more excited to share this resource with all of you.

📞 Want to learn more or set up a demo? Call our office to set up an appointment or ask your therapist at your next visit for more information.

Don’t Fall this Fall! Your Guide to Preventing Falls and Staying Strong

As the leaves begin to fall, let’s talk about a more serious kind of fall - one that affects 1 in 4 older adults each year. Of those, 1 in 5 results in serious injury, including broken bones and head trauma. Even more concerning: once someone experiences a fall, their risk of falling again doubles.

But here’s the good news - falls are not an inevitable part of aging. There are proven, evidence-based strategies that can help reduce fall risk, improve confidence, and even teach people how to fall more safely when accidents happen. And Healthy Aging Physical Therapy is here to help you or your loved ones put those strategies into action.

CDC STEADI Initiative and Fall Prevention

According to the CDC’s STEADI Initiative (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries), the key pillars of fall prevention include:

• Screening for fall risk using tools like the Timed Up and Go (TUG) or 4-Stage Balance Test

• Strengthening and balance training that’s appropriate for age and ability

• Medication review and management

• Vision and vestibular assessment

• Home safety modifications

• Education on what to do in the event of a fall

[Source: CDC STEADI Program – https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/]

At Healthy Aging Physical Therapy, we’ve structured our programs around this proven framework to deliver the most effective strategies for fall prevention. Keep reading to learn how we put each pillar into practice.

Screening for Fall Risk

During our therapy evaluations, our licensed physical and occupational therapists conduct standardized, evidence-based fall risk screens, using tools like:

• Timed Up and Go (TUG)

• 4-Stage Balance Test

• 5 Times Sit to Stand

• Berg Balance Scale

• Backwards Walking Speed

• Gait speed analysis

These assessments help us identify your current fall risk level, evaluate your balance and mobility, and guide the creation of a personalized plan of care. At Healthy Aging, we believe knowledge is power—so we don’t just give you a score, we help you understand what it means. Using age- and gender-based normative values and clinically validated cut-off scores, we compare your results to your peers and determine what they indicate about your individual fall risk. From there, we build a care plan that addresses specific areas of deficit and set clear, measurable goals. These goals allow us to track progress, ensure what we're doing is effective, and pivot when needed to keep you moving forward safely.

Strengthening and Balance Programs

Strength and balance are woven into nearly everything we do here at Healthy Aging Physical Therapy, because we know just how critical they are to aging well. Every Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy plan of care we create includes targeted interventions to build strength, improve balance, and reduce fall risk. But we also go above and beyond traditional therapy by offering extended support through our Wellness365 program, where specially trained personal trainers work with older adults to maintain and build strength long after therapy ends. For those who enjoy the energy of group fitness, we offer evidence-based classes like Strong and STEADI, which blends balance training, reactive strategies, and floor recovery skills, and Fit & Fearless, our adaptive martial arts program that teaches safe falling techniques and improves agility and body control. Whether you’re just getting started or continuing your wellness journey, our strength and balance programs provide the foundation for safer, more confident movement.

Medication Review and Management

While we don’t prescribe or manage medications directly, our therapists play an important role in identifying potential medication-related fall risks. During every evaluation, we review your current medication list and screen for drugs that may contribute to dizziness, fatigue, or low blood pressure—such as sedatives, antihypertensives, and certain pain medications. When we identify red flags, we collaborate with your physician, nurse practitioner, or pharmacist to recommend a formal medication review or suggest adjustments that may reduce your risk of falling.

Vision and Vestibular Assessment

Our Vestibular Therapy services are provided by clinicians specially trained to treat conditions such as BPPV, vestibular hypofunction, and motion sensitivity. Addressing these issues can significantly improve stability, reduce dizziness, and restore confidence in movement, particularly during sudden turns, head movements, or nighttime activities when balance is most challenged. In addition to vestibular care, we also consider vision as an important piece of the fall prevention puzzle. While we don’t provide eye exams, we screen for vision impairments during PT and OT sessions and refer to optometry or ophthalmology when needed. We also help patients address visual-vestibular integration challenges and provide guidance on modifying the home environment to better accommodate vision changes. Want to learn more? Check out our Vestibular and Dizziness page here.

Home Safety Assessment and Modification

At Healthy Aging Physical Therapy, home safety is an essential part of every plan of care. Our Physical and Occupational Therapists assess your living environment during therapy visits to identify potential fall hazards and barriers to independence. We evaluate factors such as flooring, lighting, stairways, bathroom access, and furniture layout, and we provide tailored recommendations to improve safety and function. When modifications are needed, we help coordinate referrals to trusted professionals who can install grab bars, ramps, railings, and other accessibility features. For those seeking a more in-depth evaluation, either in conjunction with therapy or on its own, we also offer our Home Assessment & Resource Program (HARP). This program provides a focused, expert evaluation of your home environment with personalized safety recommendations and resource navigation to support aging-in-place confidently and safely.

Fall Preparedness Education

At Healthy Aging Physical Therapy, we also believe fall preparedness is just as important as fall prevention—because even with the best strategies in place, accidents can still happen. That’s why our therapists receive advanced training in fall preparedness education, including safe falling techniques, floor recovery strategies, and how to respond if a fall occurs. We routinely make getting on and off the floor a core part of therapy, recognizing that this essential skill is often overlooked in traditional rehab settings. Whether someone is learning to recover independently after a fall or safely call for help when needed, our goal is to build both skill and confidence. For those who want to go even deeper, our Fit & Fearless program offers a supportive group environment where participants practice safe landing techniques, controlled descents, and reactive balance drills inspired by adaptive martial arts. It's an empowering, innovative approach to fall preparedness that helps older adults feel strong, capable, and ready for whatever life throws their way.

FIT + FEARLESS: July Foundations Session Recap

Today, we wrapped up our very first Fit & Fearless Foundations class series — and wow, what a four-week journey it was.

Together, we dipped our toes (and knees, and elbows!) into the world of adaptive martial arts with a Healthy Aging spin on fall landing and recovery skills. We learned beginner Muay Thai skills, jabbed and kicked the heavy bags, practiced grappling with Coach Dave, and most importantly, we tackled one of the most essential life skills: how to safely up and down from the floor. Each week, we focused on a new skill: falling backwards, forwards, and laterally, all while building strength, confidence, and body awareness.

At the end of our final class, we asked everyone to shout out one word that captured how they felt about the experience. We heard Proud! Confident. Intense. Empowered. Educated…and Ouch! (We never said this was going to be easy!)

But Coach Dave and I? We both quickly said IMPRESSED - and that doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Lessons Learned

As with all firsts, there were some humbling, and hilarious, first round lessons:

• Lesson 1: Turn OFF the fall alerts on your Apple Watch. Unless you want an EMT surprise visit mid-backward-roll.

• Lesson 2: Teaching ten people to fall is not the same as teaching one. We learned quickly how to break movements down into smaller, more accessible components, and we’re already refining our methods for September to make the next round even better.

But beyond logistics, what Dave and I left with was a deep sense of awe and appreciation for this group. Every single person walked into that first class with some level of fear or hesitation. But they showed up. They did hard things. They did scary things. They let themselves fall - and each time, they got back up! Every single participant walked out stronger and more confident in their ability to fall safely and recover effectively. In a word? They got FEARLESS!

Why Fit & Fearless?

Falls happen. In fact, 1 in 4 adults over 65 falls each year - and while many falls are preventable through a combination of exercise, behavioral choices and environmental modifications, many falls just simply aren’t. And for the falls we can’t stop? That’s where fall landing skills come in.

In this class, we focus on two key goals when it comes to falling:

Goal 1: Change the Position

Avoid landing on high-risk areas (head, spine, hip, outstretched arms).

Goal 2: Change the Force

Use techniques to spread the impact — rolling, redistributing, and softening the fall to reduce injury risk.

How the Program Works

• We progress week by week, starting with education and movement basics and working our way into our adaptive martial arts and fall landing practice.

• Each week, we focus on a different skill: floor recovery, backwards falling, forwards falling and lateral falling.

• We provide guidance and adaptations to meet all fitness levels and encourage you to honor your pace, ask questions, and modify as needed.

Most importantly, this class isn’t just about falling - it’s about changing the way we think about falling. Instead of viewing it as a scary event that “just happens,” we begin to see it as something we can prepare for, influence, and even control. It’s about building the kind of confidence where the ground no longer feels threatening - it becomes familiar, manageable, and within your ability to navigate. And when we fear the ground less, research shows our balance confidence improves - which, in turn, can actually reduce our risk of falling in the first place (#mindblown)!

Ready to Get Fit & Fearless?

Our next round of Fit & Fearless begins this September, and we can’t wait to take everything we learned in July to make this session even more influential.

If you're ready to:

• Build strength and confidence

• Learn practical skills to reduce your fall risk - and your risk of injury from falls

• Master how to fall safely - and get back up with control

• And do it all in a fun, supportive environment...

Then join us at Fit and Fearless!

Registration is now open for our September session. Click the link below to reserve your spot —space is limited, and this class fills up fast. Confidence doesn’t come from avoiding falls - it comes from knowing you can handle them.

Movement Matters: Helping Loved Ones with Dementia Stay Active

By: Dr. Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month - making it an ideal time to spotlight how purposeful movement can slow physical decline, curb agitation, and brighten the day for people living with dementia.

The Hidden Cost of Inactivity in Dementia

• Faster loss of strength, endurance, and mobility.
  People with dementia experience significantly steeper declines in muscle power, balance, gait speed, and overall endurance than their cognitively healthy peers. A 2017 systematic review found that targeted exercise can reverse many of these losses, highlighting just how much ground inactivity can cost them.

• A 2-3 fold higher fall risk.
  Up to 60–80% of individuals with dementia fall each year, double (or more) the rate seen in age-matched adults without cognitive impairment.

• More than “just weak legs.”
  Neurologic changes in the brain affect depth perception, spatial awareness, and dual-tasking, making tripping over obstacles or misjudging doorways far more likely, even in familiar environments.

Why Activity Often Fades

Research into barriers paints a clear picture:

• Low motivation and apathy.
  Dementia frequently dampens initiative, so even engaging in even once-loved hobbies may need an extra nudge.

• Safety worries - both real and perceived.
  Fear of falls, wandering, or behavioral changes can make caregivers over-cautious, unintentionally encouraging more sitting and inactivity.

• Limited guidance or support.
  When caregivers lack time, know-how, or resources, structured movement sessions often become a low priority when so many other caregiving needs exist.

The Upside of Movement: Small Steps, Big Impact

Despite the challenges, the benefits of regular movement are powerful. Studies link even modest activity to:

• Reduced agitation and anxiety

• Improved mood and quality of life

• Better executive function and attention span

The World Health Organization and Alzheimer’s Disease International recommend that older adults, including those with dementia, aim for:

• At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week (e.g., brisk walking, dancing, cycling)

• Muscle-strengthening activities 2 or more days per week

• Balance and mobility-focused exercises at least 3 days per week, especially for those with a history of falls or unsteadiness

But here’s the most important part:
These goals don’t need to be met all at once. Even 10-minute bouts of movement count. A short daily walk, chair yoga, or marching in place while brushing teeth can build into meaningful progress over time.

And remember—something is always better than nothing. Consistency and routine matter far more than intensity.

My Top 3 Tips to Get Your Loved One Moving

1. Make It Part of the Routine

• Same time, every time.
  Repetition breeds familiarity, and familiarity feels safe. A short walk after breakfast or gentle seated exercises during nightly news on TV can become as automatic as brushing teeth.

• Leave visual “clues.”
  Place sneakers by the dining chair or set out resistance bands where they’ll be noticed. Then cue your loved one with a calm, confident “Time for our walk!”

2. Make It Meaningful

Movement can be easier, and more enjoyable, when it feels like a meaningful activity, rather than a workout. The best way to help a loved one with dementia get active? Choose activities that connect with who they are and what they’ve always loved to do.

Tie movement to personal identity and past routines:

• Gardener?
  Keep a raised-bed planter or container garden ready to go. Practice squatting or sit-to-stand movements while pulling weeds, watering plants, or sorting seed packets.

• Make household chores a team effort.
  Turn household chores into movement moments. Fold towels together while standing, carry a light basket across the room, or reach to hang clothes on a low rack or line. Involve them in safe cleaning tasks like dusting, wiping counters, or organizing drawers. These repetitive tasks offer built-in structure and gentle physical activity.

• Dancer or music fan?
  Put on their favorite music from high school or early adulthood. March in place, sway side to side, or tap feet to the beat. Even seated, this can raise the heart rate and lift the mood.

• Involve the family pets.
  Take short walks with the family dog, brush the cat, or pretend to care for a stuffed animal if pets aren't available. Caring for something else often sparks a natural desire to move.

• Crafter or artist?
  Set up a workspace that encourages posture shifts—standing to cut fabric, reaching to gather supplies, or walking to display finished pieces.

Bonus Tip: Use exercise time to engage. Talking is a great form of ‘dual-tasking’ and dual-tasking is a powerful way to improve balance. Reminisce while you move. Play cognitive games like eye-spy or categories. Ask questions about the world around you - see if they can count the passing cars or recall facts about your neighbors as you walk by.

3. Try a Group Fitness Class

• Community programs, like local strength and balance classes, add social interaction and gentle accountability.

For locals, Healthy Aging PT’s Strong and STEADI sessions blend fall-prevention drills with upbeat music and expert guidance. Ask your senior center for recommendations or check our calendar.

When to Call in for Backup

Encouraging safe, consistent movement isn’t always easy, especially when dementia is involved. You might find that your loved one resists participation, struggles to follow instructions, or becomes overwhelmed by too many choices. That’s completely normal - and it's exactly where we come in.

At Healthy Aging Physical Therapy, our licensed Physical and Occupational Therapists and certified personal trainers are experienced in working with older adults living with cognitive impairment. We understand how to blend clinical expertise with patience, creativity, and compassion.

Here’s how our Therapy and Wellness365 teams can help:

• Comprehensive Assessment
  We evaluate strength, mobility, balance, and fall risk while considering cognitive status, emotional state, and home environment. This helps us determine what’s safe, what’s realistic, and what’s meaningful.

• Personalized Movement Prescription
  One-size-fits-all exercise plans don’t work, especially in dementia care. We’ll create a tailored program that matches your loved one’s current abilities and interests, focusing on what they can do and building from there.

• Cognitive-Aware Coaching
  We train family members and paid caregivers in practical strategies: how to cue movement clearly, how to redirect attention when needed, and how to create daily routines that support success without stress.

• Progress Monitoring & Support
  Our team can check in regularly to adjust the plan, troubleshoot challenges, and provide encouragement. Even small wins, like standing up more easily or walking an extra lap around the kitchen, can be incredibly meaningful.

If your loved one is struggling with inactivity, mood changes, falls, or increasing dependence, it may be time to bring in professional support.

We’re here when you’re ready.
Call us at (617) 398-4508 or visit our website to request:

• A Medicare-covered Physical or Occupational Therapy Evaluation, or

• A private Wellness365 Personal Training session for continued fitness and support after therapy ends.

Let’s work together to keep your loved one strong, steady, and engaged - every step of the way.