Join the Healthy Aging Physical Therapy Team

Okay, time for some real talk.

The healthcare world right now? Let’s call it what it is: a bit of a disaster. Therapists are overworked, underpaid, and often put in situations where they can’t do their best work. Add inflation and Medicare cuts to the mix, and it’s not just clinicians who are struggling - practice owners are feeling the squeeze too.

But what if there’s a better way? What if there’s a practice out there committed to addressing these issues head-on? That’s what we’ve built at Healthy Aging Physical Therapy.

Why Healthy Aging Physical Therapy is Different

1. Beating Burnout

We’ve worked hard to create an environment that supports our therapists. Our full-time caseload is only six patient visits a day. That’s it. This allows you to actually breathe during your day and deliver the high-quality care your patients deserve.

We’ve also streamlined documentation with thorough but efficient systems, using elaborate quick texts and templates. These tools save time without sacrificing quality. We’re equally focused on patient and therapist satisfaction because, honestly, you can’t have one without the other. Happy therapists = happy patients - and we take happiness seriously around here.

2. Support and Collaboration

At Healthy Aging PT, you’re not alone. Our team thrives on collaboration, celebrating victories together and supporting one another through challenges. Whether it’s mentorship, ongoing education, certification opportunities, or equipment - we’ve got your back. Our number one goal is to help you grow and thrive.

3. Financial Stability and Growth

We’re realistic about the financial challenges in healthcare, but we’re also forward-thinking. We’ve diversified our income streams with our Wellness 365 program, a cash-based service that not only provides incredible value to our patients but also offsets the decline in insurance reimbursements. This approach ensures sustainability for our practice and sets us apart as a leader in innovative care.

For our staff, we’ve reimagined compensation. Instead of the small, insignificant 1-2% annual raises typically offered in healthcare, we share the profits. Each team member receives a percentage of our profits based on hours worked. When we work hard and grow together, we all share in the rewards.

The Result? One Incredible Team

Our approach has created an amazing team culture. Our therapists love what they do, and it shows in both their satisfaction and our patient experience. (Just check out our 59 Five Star Google reviews!)

What Do We Need Now? YOU.

We’re growing, our waitlists are long, and we need exceptional therapists to help us meet the demand. Here’s who we’re looking for:

• Physical Therapists + Occupational Therapists for the Medford/Melrose/Stoneham/Wakefield area.

• Personal Trainers + Massage Therapists opportunities available across all our our service areas!

We need people with the right mix of experience, compassion for the patient experience, and passion for their work. If you’re someone who values ownership of your time, wants better work/life balance, craves true meaning in your work, and loves being part of a supportive team - we want to hear from you.

Our Hiring Process

We take hiring seriously because finding the right fit matters. Here’s how it works:

1. Phone Chat: We’ll schedule a time to chat, so you can be clear from the outset on what what working at Healthy Aging is like, and what the role requires.

2. Shadow Day: Come spend a day with us to see how we work and how you fit with our team.

3. Open Book Policy: I’ll tell you how much I love working here, but clearly, I’m a bit biased;) To make sure you have all the info you need to make the best decision, I’m always happy to connect you with current or even past employees so you can ask the questions you may not feel comfortable asking in the interview.

If you, or someone you know, fits the bill, please reach out. We’re excited to grow our team and provide opportunities for therapists to thrive while making a real impact in our communities and in our patients’ lives.

Ready to chat?

Send your resume and cover letter to Katie@HealthyAgingPT.com and I’ll be in touch soon!

Reflections on my Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program Journey

Written by: Dr. Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist and Owner of Healthy Aging PT

This past fall, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program (10KSB). If you're not familiar, 10KSB is a nationwide initiative funded by Goldman Sachs, taught by Babson College professors, and designed to help small business owners grow their businesses through education, mentorship, and access to resources. The program is application-based, tuition-free, and brings together business owners from diverse industries to learn about the financial management, growth opportunity assessment, and leadership involved with business growth and development. (Curious? You can learn more about the 10KSB Program here.) Over the course of the past several months, I dove deep into every corner of my own business, from financial forecasting to marketing and new product development, and emerged not just a better business owner, but a more confident leader. Here are the five biggest lessons I learned.

1. Being a Business Owner is Actually Really Cool - and More Important Than I Thought

When I started Healthy Aging Physical Therapy, it was all about me—not in a selfish way, but because it was literally just me. It was a way to keep working during the pandemic while balancing homeschooling my two young kids. I started with zip, zero, NO formal business education, no plan, and a lot of trial and error. Over time, I realized that I wasn’t just filling a need for myself - I was meeting a huge unmet need in our community and decided to grow.

But what I learned through 10KSB is that small business owners are a rare breed. Did you know that according to the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy, only about 20% of small businesses survive their first five years? Or that small businesses make up 99.9% of all businesses in the U.S. and employ nearly half of the nation’s workforce? Additionally, 81% of small businesses have no employees, while only 19% employ staff, and of those, about 15% have between 1-10 employees. Healthy Aging Physical Therapy currently has a staff of EIGHTEEN (and looking to hire more!) Those aren’t just statistics - they represent real people, real jobs, and real impact.

Today, Healthy Aging Physical Therapy isn’t just about me anymore. We’re an employer, employing therapists, personal trainers and office management staff who love what they do and have the flexibility for real work-life balance. Walking into 10KSB, I felt like a therapist who happened to own a business. Walking out, I see myself as an entrepreneur, and I’m proud to be contributing to my local economy.

2. It's REALLY Important to Understand Your Numbers

Numbers used to intimidate me. For the first few years, I was in reactive mode - looking at financial data after the fact and making educated guesses about what to do next. The 10KSB program has changed that completely.

Now, I not only understand our financial foundations, but I’ve developed a forecasting model that allows me to proactively adjust factors like our service mix and staffing. Instead of anxiously riding financial waves, I feel confident and in control. I have back up plans, and a rainy day fund. I can spot trends in real time, understand what’s driving them, and take action before problems snowball.

Even more importantly, I’ve learned how our practice fits into the larger healthcare ecosystem. From policy changes to Medicare reimbursement cuts (Medicare reimbursement rates are going down another 2.8% as of 1/1/2025!), I now have the tools to navigate these challenges strategically rather than reactively.

3. I Feel Stronger Than Ever in My Vision for Healthy Aging

The first five years of practice ownership were about experimenting - trying new things, seeing what worked, and learning from what didn’t. Now, I have a clear roadmap for growth.

I’ve learned that being a good therapist isn’t enough. While growth is great, it’s more important for me to find ways to ensure the way we practice stays consistent with my values. To do so, I need to teach these principles effectively to my staff, create systems that ensure consistency, and build structures that support scaling and growth. I’ve gained confidence not only in my mentorship skills but also in my ability to scale without compromising our mission and core values.

While my goal as a therapist has always been to help as many people as I can, this practice has given me the voice and venue to MULTIPLY this in a way I never expected. The 10KSB has given me both confidence and the tools to scale my practice without losing the attention to care, compassion and evidenced-based practice that are so critically important to patient success. 

4. I’ve Learned I’m Not Alone

Running a business can feel incredibly lonely, especially when you didn’t set out to be a business owner in the first place. The stress, anxiety, and excitement of entrepreneurship are hard to describe to anyone who hasn’t lived it. I recently came across a meme that said “Being a business owner is great - you get to choose which 80 hours a week you work!” I laughed out loud because truer words have never been spoken - or meme’d about!

But in my cohort of 44 other business owners (shout-out to Group 2-2-2!), I found my people. We came from vastly different industries - there were water filtration experts, ice cream creators, restaurant owners, marketing experts, and more - but despite our different paths to entrepreneurship, we all share the same struggles - and now we get to celebrate our wins, together.  

Beyond our cohort, I’m now part of a nationwide network of over 14,000 10KSB alumni. That’s an incredible community of support, collaboration, and wisdom that I can lean on for years to come.

5. I Can Do Anything I Set My Mind To

This program was intense. Adding 15+ hours a week of coursework to an already jam-packed schedule was exhausting. But I did it - and have officially earned my Certificate of Entrepreneurship.

Running a private practice in today’s healthcare landscape isn’t easy. The constant threat of Medicare cuts, rising supply costs, and workforce shortages has made me second guess my plan many times over. But I’ve learned that the garden you tend is the garden that grows - it’s a simple analogy, but it’s true.

More importantly, this lesson extends beyond business. It’s about balance - something I’ll be the first to admit I haven’t mastered yet. Behind the business owner who seems to have it all together, there’s also a mom trying to find time to connect with her kids who are too-quickly growing their way out of her house, a wife trying to carve out quality time with her husband, and a human being who needs time for her own health and well-being (which has been largely ignored since August…).

If I could sum up my biggest takeaway from 10KSB, it’s this: I am in control. I can control my time, my business, and my priorities. I do NOT need to live in the ‘reactive’ anymore. The year ahead, and all the years after that, are full of potential - not just for Healthy Aging Physical Therapy, but for me, my family, my health, and my own peace of mind.

Looking Ahead 

This program wasn’t easy, but it was transformative. I’m heading into 2025 with a solid business foundation, a clear plan for growth, and a renewed commitment to balance and well-being.

To my team, my family, and everyone who’s supported me, and been patient with me, along this journey: thank you. And to any small business owners reading this - keep this program in mind. It's a heavy lift, but it’s worthwhile. Here’s to a purposeful and pleasant year ahead - for me, my team, my practice and my family.

Breaking the Fall Cycle for Fall Prevention Week

Written by: Dr. Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist and Owner: Healthy Aging PT

Falls are a significant health concern for older adults, often initiating a dangerous cycle that can lead to more frequent falls and serious injuries. This Fall Prevention Week, we’re focusing on how the Cycle of Falling works—and, more importantly, how it can be broken with the right interventions.

The First Fall and Fear of Falling

The cycle often begins with an initial fall, leading to significant fear and anxiety about falling again. This fear impacts confidence in movement and results in avoiding daily activities. Nearly 50% of older adults who have fallen report limiting their physical activity afterward, which increases their likelihood of future falls.

At Healthy Aging Physical Therapy, we go beyond traditional therapies by teaching fall preparedness skills, including how to land safely and recover from a fall. Evidence shows that learning these techniques, along with the ability to get on and off the floor, reduces the fear of falling, which in turn lowers the risk of future falls.

Reduced Physical Activity

When fear limits physical activity, muscles weaken, and balance worsens. This sets the stage for more falls, as musculoskeletal strength is essential for stability.

We provide tailored programs that encourage safe, gradual increases in movement, helping individuals regain strength and reduce their fall risk.

Musculoskeletal Decline and Gait Instability

Reduced activity leads to muscle loss, joint stiffness, and decreased mobility, which all contribute to gait instability. This unsteady walking pattern makes falls even more likely.

Our therapists focus on improving strength, flexibility, and gait stability through evidence-based interventions like the Otago Balance Program, a proven exercise regimen designed specifically for fall prevention in older adults. By incorporating Otago exercises, we help patients maintain steady movement, balance, and mobility, significantly reducing the risk of future falls.

We also offer Strong and STEADI balance classes, which focus on improving balance, coordination, and strength to help reduce fall risk. These group classes create a supportive environment for patients looking to improve their mobility and confidence. You can find more information about these programs at Healthy Aging PT Group Classes.

Increased Fall Risk and Repeated Falls

As the cycle progresses, the likelihood of repeated falls grows, leading to a dangerous pattern. Breaking this cycle requires a comprehensive approach.

At Healthy Aging, we offer personalized fall risk assessments and targeted interventions, focusing on balance, mobility, and confidence to stop repeated falls before they happen.

One key aspect of our intervention is the Home Safety Evaluation. Our therapists assess your living environment to identify potential fall hazards and provide practical modifications. These changes, such as securing rugs, improving lighting, or installing grab bars, are crucial in creating a safer home, reducing fall risk, and promoting independent living.

How Healthy Aging Physical Therapy Can Help

We offer a variety of specialized services to address the Cycle of Falling, including balance and fall prevention programs, gait retraining, and strengthening exercises. Our team is committed to promoting safety, independence, and confidence for each individual. Check out more about our Balance and Falls Program here.

If you or a loved one are at risk of falling, take the first step towards breaking the cycle. Call us at (617) 398-4508 or fill out our New Patient Registration Form to schedule a fall risk evaluation.

Mastering Your Fitness Routine: Simple Ways to Meet WHO & CDC Exercise Guidelines at Any Age

Written by: Dr. Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist and Owner of Healthy Aging PT

We all know the importance of regular exercise, but fitting it into your lifestyle can sometimes feel overwhelming. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that adults aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity combined with 2-3 days of strength training per week, along with balance and flexibility exercises. However, not everyone starts at the same fitness level or has the same lifestyle, so learning to adapt these guidelines to suit your life is key.

What Are the WHO and CDC Guidelines?

The basic recommendations for adults include:

• 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (like brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity (like running) per week.

• 2-3 days of muscle-strengthening activities (targeting major muscle groups) per week.

• Balance and flexibility exercises, especially for older adults, to help prevent falls and maintain mobility.

Reality Check: How Much Are We Actually Exercising?

Surveys show that a majority of adults aren’t meeting these guidelines. According to the CDC, only about 23% of American adults get the recommended amount of both aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise. Meanwhile, physical inactivity is linked to chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and depression.

The good news is that even small changes in your weekly activity can have a significant impact on your health.

The Benefits of Regular Exercise

Exercise isn’t just about maintaining a healthy weight—it has wide-ranging benefits for both physical and mental health. Regular physical activity:

• Reduces the risk of chronic diseases

• Helps control weight

• Strengthens bones and muscles

• Improves mental health and mood

• Increases your chances of living longer

On the flip side, physical inactivity can lead to higher rates of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers. It's clear that staying active is one of the most important things you can do for your health.

What a Balanced Exercise Week Looks Like for Me

Let’s talk about how I fit exercise into my week as an example of how to meet the guidelines. My routine is built around balance, consistency, and flexibility:

• Aerobic Exercise: Three days a week at my local gym, I aim for 30 minutes on the elliptical, treadmill, bike, or rower. Sometimes I do intervals, mixing short bursts of higher intensity with recovery periods. Other times, I do steady-state cardio. My goal is always to hit 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per session, which helps me meet the CDC's weekly guideline.

• Strength Training: I lift three days a week. One day is focused on legs, one on upper body, and the third is a full-body workout. I also mix in core exercises throughout the week. This keeps my strength routine varied and helps me hit the goal of 2-3 days of muscle-strengthening activities.

• Flexibility and Balance: On either Saturday or Sunday, I incorporate yoga into my routine. It’s my way of improving flexibility and balance, which is a key component of the guidelines, especially for preventing falls as we age.

• Active Lifestyle: In addition to structured exercise, I like to stay active on my "rest" days by taking a small hike with my kids, mowing the lawn, or doing housework. These activities add to my overall activity level without feeling like a formal workout.

I also teach fitness classes during the week. While I consider these part of my active lifestyle, I don’t count them toward my personal exercise goals because they’re more about helping others increase their baseline activity levels.

Example 2: An Older, Moderately Active Adult

Let’s say you’re an older adult who is still fairly active but may not want or need to hit the gym as often. Here’s how you can structure your week:

• Aerobic Activity: This person could take outdoor walks five times a week for 20-30 minutes each session. That would total 100-150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity for the week.

• Strength Training: Twice a week, they could join a strength training class at their local senior center or gym. There are also great online programs, such as our Club HAPT, that offer guided strength workouts for home use.

• Balance and Flexibility: Mixing in something like Tai Chi or yoga once or twice a week can help maintain balance and flexibility, key elements to prevent falls and stay mobile. Our balance programs can also be done at home to support long-term health.

• Active Lifestyle: In addition to structured exercise, they can incorporate more movement into their daily life by parking further from the store, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or working outside in the yard. These activities help add to overall activity levels and make it easier to meet the weekly exercise guidelines.

This routine is perfect for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing the decline in muscle mass and balance that can occur with aging. There are also videos available on our Balance and Falls page that offer great exercises that can be done at home to improve stability.

Example 3: A Lower-Level, Sedentary Adult

For someone who is less active or has mobility challenges, it’s still important to find ways to incorporate movement into their week. Here’s how someone at a lower fitness level can meet the exercise recommendations:

• Aerobic Activity: A seated recumbent elliptical like the Cubii can provide low-impact aerobic exercise. Walking in a mall with a walker or doing an aerobic workout on YouTube can also be effective.

• Strength Training: Functional strength training doesn’t have to happen in a gym. Simple movements done in the kitchen or living room—such as sitting and standing from a chair—can provide the necessary strength training. These activities mimic the kinds of things we do during physical therapy and can be scaled to any ability level.

• Balance and Mobility: Balance exercises, such as those done in therapy, can be adapted for home use. Programs like PWR! Moves for Parkinson’s Disease are great for adding in mobility work that supports overall health.

• Active Lifestyle: For someone at a lower activity level, small bursts of movement—sometimes called "exercise snacks"—can be an easy way to build up daily activity. For example, they can march in place during commercial breaks, take an extra lap each time they go to the bathroom, or do 10 sit-to-stands every time they get out of a chair. These small actions add up and help improve overall mobility and strength.

Conclusion: Adapting Exercise to Your Life

No matter where you’re starting from, there are ways to meet the CDC and WHO exercise guidelines that suit your fitness level and lifestyle. Whether you’re hitting the gym, walking around your neighborhood, or working out at home, finding a balance between aerobic, strength, balance, and flexibility exercises is key to maintaining your health as you age. For help creating a personalized plan, you can use tools like the Move Your Way Activity Planner or join us at one of our Group Fitness Classes to get a great mix of everything combined. The most important takeaway is that every little bit helps, and even small steps toward being more active can lead to big health benefits.

Understanding the Complex World of Medicare and Health Insurance: A Behind-the-Scenes Look

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

As a physical therapist and owner of a private practice, I often have conversations with patients and clients about the state of healthcare and the challenges that come with it. Many people aren't aware of the complexities of Medicare and health insurance, and how these complexities impact the care they receive. I wanted to take a moment to provide some "behind the scenes" information about Medicare, health insurance, and the state of healthcare today.

The Reality of Medicare and Health Insurance Reimbursements

Let's start with Medicare. For those of you who aren't familiar, Medicare Part B is the part of Medicare that covers outpatient care, including physical therapy. While Medicare is an incredibly valuable resource for many, it's important to understand that the reimbursement rates for services provided under Medicare Part B have been decreasing steadily over the past two decades. This isn't a trend that's specific to Medicare; health insurance reimbursements, in general, have seen significant reductions over the years.

For example, due to legislative changes like the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, there have been continual cuts to Medicare reimbursements. Over the last 20 years, Medicare payments for outpatient physical therapy have been reduced by about 25%. These reductions are compounded by annual updates that often fail to keep pace with inflation or the rising cost of delivering care. In fact, it's projected that in the coming year, there will be another reduction in Medicare reimbursement rates, which could be as much as 4.5%.

In addition to the cuts in Medicare reimbursement, many therapy practices, including ours, are also going out of network with certain managed care plans. The reason for this is twofold. First, these plans often come with significant administrative burdens, requiring extensive authorization processes and paperwork just to begin or continue care. This not only takes time away from providing hands-on patient care but also adds to the overall cost of running a practice. Second, the reimbursement rates from many managed care plans are exceedingly low, often averaging only 60-70% of what Medicare reimburses, which is simply unsustainable for many practices. You may have seen recent news about large hospital systems going out of network with certain Medicare Advantage plans for similar reasons. These plans frequently offer even lower reimbursements and add layers of red tape that can hinder timely patient care.

However, even though we are out of network with these plans, we strive to remain as accessible as possible by accepting out-of-network coverage when your plan offers it. We frequently see patients with Tufts Managed Medicare, UHC/AARP, Humana, and other managed Medicare plans, and we currently remain in-network with BCBS. This approach allows us to continue providing high-quality care without the limitations imposed by the low reimbursement rates and administrative burdens of managed care plans. We encourage you to ask about what out-of-network benefits your plan may have, and we are always happy to check on this for you if you are interested in receiving care with Healthy Aging Physical Therapy.

The Impact on Private Practices

So, what does this mean for private practices like ours? Simply put, it's becoming increasingly difficult for practices to accept insurance and remain financially viable. Each year, while the reimbursement rates go down, the costs of running a practice—like rent, utilities, supplies, and fair wages for our staff—continue to rise. It's a challenging balance to strike.

Despite these challenges, we at Healthy Aging Physical Therapy have made the decision to continue accepting Medicare Part B. Why? Because we believe deeply in providing high-quality, concierge-level care to those who need it most. Our commitment is to serve our community, especially those who rely on Medicare for their healthcare needs. However, we also recognize the financial realities that come with running a small business in today's healthcare environment.

The Role of Cash-Based Services

This brings me to an important point about why you might see therapy practices, including ours, offering cash-based services like our Fitness and Wellness programming. I know it might seem surprising at first—after all, isn't insurance supposed to cover everything? The reality is that insurance often dictates not only how long we can see a patient but also what types of services we can provide. There are many scenarios where patients would benefit from additional or ongoing care that isn't covered by insurance.

By offering cash-based services, we are able to supplement our revenue, ensuring that we can continue to provide quality care, pay fair wages to our therapists, and keep our doors open. These services—whether it's our fitness coaching and personal training programs, therapy wellness sessions, or virtual and in-person fitness classes—allow us the flexibility to meet your needs beyond what insurance covers. They also empower us to provide long-term care that supports your overall health and wellness, beyond just your immediate therapy needs.

Supporting Local Healthcare and Small Businesses

I want to take a moment to thank each of you for your continued support of Healthy Aging Physical Therapy and other small businesses and private practices. We know that the healthcare landscape can be confusing and that there are many factors at play that affect both providers and patients. We hope this post has shed some light on the current state of healthcare and why practices like ours are making the decisions we do.

We're committed to continuing to provide the best possible care to our community, and we're excited to offer a range of wellness programs to support your health and wellness journey. Thank you for being a part of our community, and for supporting small, locally owned businesses that are dedicated to your well-being.

As I tell all of my Healthy Aging therapists when they start with us, I value kindness and transparency above all else, so hopefully this helped make our complicated healthcare landscape a little more transparent for you. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our post-discharge wellness programs, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help you live your healthiest life!