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How can you keep up a fitness program after the PT has finished. Is there a personal trainer for the elderly that would pick up where medicare leaves off. Is there a certification for such a thing?

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Hi Jeannegibbs. often have the same thought but have figured out that the old post shows up in search even years later. As soon as someone stumbles on it and comments, it's "alive" again.

At times, there's little relationship between the original question and what was revived, but I generally try to answer if the question if there is one. Twocents seems to just want to blow off steam.

I want to take this moment to thank you again for your huge contribution to the forum. You are so grounded and knowledgeable. Take care of yourself,
Carol
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Any particular reason this 4-year-old post is coming up again?
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5thonlygirl, the biggest problem I detect here are oldsters who will not do a damn thing to improve their own lot. they are content to deteriorate to the point they are contemplating their navel in a wheelchair because someone will have to cart their butts around.
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YouTube has a variety of exercise videos for seniors.
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My father had mild stroke and was bedridden. He could have walked if he just cooperated. He refused to go to the rehab center. He refused to cooperate when they sent a therapist to come to our home. I tried to do it for him and refused. His hand is now bent crooked on the left wrist. His left leg is bent crooked. I tried to get him to straighten it, and it won't. He had his stroke last year in May. The more I insist we try to exercise his legs, the more angry he becomes. Since he's capable of violence, I've learned to just back off. Sometimes, everyone can try to help but if they refuse to do anything, then...you just have to accept it.

However, for those who are not like my father, you might still be able to find someone here who can give you tips!
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I am going through the same thing with my grandmother. She was just released from NH 4 weeks ago, after 4 months of therapy to get her standing and transferring herself after breaking her leg. My biggest problem is she doesn't care. She wants someone to do everything for her, and wants to be Bedridden. She only did the therapy to come home, and thinks she won't have to go back to NH. I try to explain to her that care for bedridden is very expensive and the money will run out. I stay at night, and my or hired girls help during the day, but mainly me and my mother do it all. I stay over 80 hours a week, and i make her stand and transfer herself because I know if she doesn't do this daily, she won't be able to quickly. She is 82 and obese, she has been in wheelchair for years due to not wanting to get up and move and gaining weight. I try to explain that I have given up everything to do what I am, and that she has to try or I can't. She cons others by saying she's weak. She tries this with me but I say if your too weak to transfer to potty chair etc then she should stay in bed or go to hospital. She then will move herself because she wants to sit in recliner all day. She could walk 20 steps w walker 4 weeks ago, and now is hardly standing. I try to tell my mother that we have to stay on top of this or she will be bedridden in days. I can't seem to make anyone understand that we have to motivate her. She threatens to runaway, and gets mad and says she will stay alone when i tell her that she will end up back in NH. I have even said if you will walk to door to runaway, I will do anything you say. She could do something's for herself but with people staying with her for help, it has become babying her. I spoil her myself, and to some degree we should. But I can't make other see that it's for her good to motivate her. And we HAVE to keep her standing up. I've worked in hospitals for 17 years, but I'm 37 and in over my head with her. I've cared for others over the years, but I've never seen anyone want even their butt wiped. And of course if I don't run out the door, I still have to do for her when hired girls are there. She doesn't even want me to leave at all to check on my home or sleep. How do I motivate her to keep moving without being bossy and mean, and not stay 24/7. I'd love to just keep her happy all the time, but I have to get her to try, and she will only try so long with pep talks. She literally isn't drinking anything for hours because she doesn't want to stand up to go to bathroom. It's already went from her using bathroom to potty chair in living room, and still wants to use bedpan. Any ideas. The change in 4 weeks is unreal, and I won't be able to care for her bedridden, not to mention she will have pneumonia and bedsores in no time. She can hardly afford the $5 hour we pay now, and I get about $2 with all time I stay. People aren't going to do what she expects for bedridden obese woman for that.
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Our PCA was very good about helping my husband to do the exercises he was given in PT as long as he was able to do them. Of course, she wouldn't have been very successful if he had flat out refused to do them.

And I know this will not reflect positively on me, but I hope that if I reach the mid-nineties, I won't have anyone after me to do my exercises! Yes that is healthy and perhaps even necessary, but I'll pass, thanks.
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I am a physical therapist and there are definitely therapists that perform "maintenance" therapy for after insurance has ended. In fact, in may cases, they are comparable to the costs of a trainer, but they have the extensive medical background to monitor the client and to refer back to skilled PT once needed under insurance.
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You could always hire a caregiver through an agency and be specific that you are looking for someone to help maintain your exercise routine. Companies, such as ours, look for very specific skills when hiring caregivers- and would find someone with this exact experience. The caregiver could go to a PT appointment with you to learn the proper exercises, and then come to your home at your convenience to assist. Much less expensive than continuing with PT! Good luck!
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Thanks Carol, unfortunately at 96 my mother is not very motivated to move at all. The caregivers I have are content to do personal care and housework but exercise is not on the table. When I work with her she just says no. I have tried all of your suggestions you are correct but it is the motivation that is lacking. Medicare guidelines are very strict about maintenance health care. They don't allow it period. I would love to have a motivated exercise therapy person like a personal trainer for the elderly come to the house 2 or 3 times / week just to keep her moving. So far it doesn't exist in my world. As a younger women she used to do sit and be fit which is great but now it moves too fast for her to follow.
Thanks for your suggestions.
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I just wrote a newspaper column answering a similar question, so you aren't alone with your problem. If insurance won't pay for more PT - you can try an appeal to see if they will pay for more - try alternative doctors or therapists. Acupuncture helps some people, massage and other therapies can help. Be sure to make sure the practitioner is properly licensed and don't fall for anyone who promises miracles. However, alternative therapies such as those mentioned, as well as yoga stretches (some can be done in a wheel chair) can help many people. Please look into these.
Good luck,
Carol
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