Choosing the Right Physical Therapy

It is important to match the right physical therapy company with the objectives you have in mind. The company that focuses on the goals you want to achieve will typically have a greater chance to meet those goals and be more cost effective than one that has a broad set of skills.

Rehabilitation

Performed under Medicare or insurance based physical therapy. This is used after a "qualifying" event occurs. It may be as a result of a hospitalization and/or sudden decline in function. Depending on the circumstances the treatment may last 2-6 weeks. This type of physical therapy should be evaluated before any other.

Strength and Balance

Most physical therapy treatments comprise of these two components but for long term fall prevention it is important that the company or clinic has the philosophy of focusing on strength and balance in the treatment sessions. Typical period for goals to be meet is 6 months and then ongoing to sustain function. This is only provided under the private-pay system because the treatment period under Medicare-covered physical therapy is not long enough to change strength and balance issues. Private-pay is only applicable if the older adult does not qualify for Mediare-covered physical therapy. If a company/clinic specializes in private-pay (doesn't bill Medicare or insurance) the cost to the patient will be less because the company does not have operating costs that need to be accommodated for insurance billing.
See our comparison chart for our Tandem Strength and Balance® service.

Other

There are numerous other types of physical therapy that may help an older adult. Pain relief is one example. The services are usually provided on a private pay bases unless the pain can be proven to limit function and the treatment can make significant progress.

Checklist for All Physical Therapy

It is important that you communicate your goals with the physical therapist /company / clinic to ensure there is a mutual plan on addressing the concerns.