Category: blog

Most senior citizens want to live in their homes for as long as possible. The question that arises with this is how to accomplish this safely. Unfortunately, aging diminishes balance, strength, eyesight, and memory, which can affect a senior’s ability to perform daily living activities. At Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, our mission is to make a positive difference in our clients’ lives. We provide our clients with the help they need to safely ensure that they achieve the highest level of independence to remain in their homes. 

In-Home Injuries

Home should be a place where we feel safe. If you are a senior citizen, there may be certain dangers in your home that put you at risk of injury. To avoid this, you should be aware of the common injuries that typically affect senior citizens at home:

• Falls

Many injuries that occur in the home for seniors are related to falls. As you age, your mobility can become more limited and put you at risk of falling. Falls can often be the result of uneven surfaces and floors, unstable furniture, and poor lighting. Other risk factors for falls include lower body weakness, balance, walking difficulties, and poor footwear. Seniors that fall can suffer from broken bones or even brain injuries. 

• Sprains

Sprains are not nearly as painful as fractures, but they are prevalent among senior citizens. As we age, the tendons in our hands and ankles become less flexible, which increases the risk of strains and sprains. Simple activities like standing up or catching themselves from a fall can all cause a sprain. Uneven surfaces can also trip seniors up and cause injury. 

• Burns

Another common injury that affects seniors in the home are burns. This injury is common for those who cook regularly, but burns can result from an appliance malfunction, cooking accident, or product malfunction. Burns are among the leading causes of fatal injuries among seniors since seniors have a harder time responding to fire treatments. 

Contact Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions

At Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, our team offers an extensive range of services to help seniors avoid injuries in the home and rehabilitate them if an injury occurs. From in-home physical therapy and occupational therapy to obtaining durable medical equipment, we aim to provide our patients with the safety and independence they need to stay in their homes as long as possible. To learn more about our services, contact our team today! 

Pain and tightness in your shoulder can be a nuisance. If you are looking to improve your upper body strength or are recovering from an injury, there are exercises you can implement into your routine to improve your mobility. Our team at Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions would like to share some of the best suggested exercises that you can do for upper-body mobility. 

Before we get into these exercises, we want to point out the difference between mobility and flexibility. Flexibility refers to the muscle’s ability to lengthen and stretch, and mobility refers to the joint’s ability to move through its full range of motion. Performing exercises specific to your upper body can help improve strength and mobility in your shoulders and potentially help you avoid injuries. We always recommend warming up before exercising to help with your overall performance. (Before beginning any exercise program, it is important to consult with a physical therapist or another medical professional.)

Arm Swings

1. Stand up straight with your arms at your sides. 
2. Tighten your core and swing your arms forward as high as they can go. Do not raise your shoulders while performing this motion. 
3. Return your arms to the original position, and repeat. You should do this movement for about one minute. 

Shoulder Pass-Through

1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. 
2. Hold a long stick with an overhand grip. The stick should be parallel to the floor, and your arms should be wider than shoulder-width apart. 
3. Engage your core and raise the stick above your head with your arms straight. Do not push past the point of comfort. 
4. Hold this pose, return to starting position, and repeat five times. 

Reverse Fly

1. Hold a dumbbell in each hand. Make sure the weight is manageable. 
2. Stand with your knees slightly bent and your feet shoulder-width apart.
3. Bend forward at the waist while engaging your core. Make sure your back is straight. 
4. Raise your arms away from your body, and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Stop this motion when you get to shoulder height. 
5. Return to the starting position and repeat. Do three sets of ten repetitions. 

Contact Us

At Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, we provide our clients with the education they need to help them achieve the highest wellness level. Our team will evaluate your capabilities and needs and develop a treatment plan that best serves you. To learn more exercises to improve your mobility, or to schedule an appointment, contact us today! 

As we continue to age, one of the most common issues we need to be aware of is an increased likelihood of falls and balance issues. While this may not seem like a big deal, the truth is that falls can come with serious injuries. Here at Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, our team can help prevent this from happening. We can offer physical therapy sessions to help combat the likelihood of falls so you can remain as healthy as possible.

Potential Injuries To Be Aware Of 

As previously stated, falls can lead to a wide range of injuries and medical issues. Understanding what they are may have patients take the matter more seriously, which is why our team would like to spend some time sharing them. Some of the most common injuries a person can face as a result of falling includes:

• Broken bones.
• Ligament sprains and tears.
• Muscle contusions.
• Head injuries.
• Dislocations.

Risk Factors To Be Aware Of

Patients should not wait until after they have fallen and sustained an injury to start working on preventing falls. The sooner you begin the process, the higher the likelihood that it will be successful. That is why our team wants to make patients aware of the common risk factors that point to falls potentially being a standard part of their future. If you begin to recognize any of the below in your life, you should consider starting a physical therapy program with us:

• Living a relatively sedentary lifestyle in old age.
• Noticing you have begun to have trouble keeping your balance.
• Becoming easily fatigued.
• Generalized muscle weakness in the legs.
• Limited flexibility and range of motion.
• Pain in the joints located in the lower half of your body.   

How Physical Therapy Can Help

Physical therapy involves therapeutic stretches and strength exercises to correct medical issues that the patient is dealing with. When it comes to improving one’s balance and preventing falls, various aspects allow for this to be achieved. Some of what you can expect may include the below:

• Exercises and stretches specifically tailored to assist with balance.
• Strength training to correct any weakness and problematic imbalances.
• Endurance training to ensure falls don’t take place as a result of tiredness.
• Physical activities aimed at restoring any pain that could lead to future falls.

Schedule An Appointment

One of the best aspects about working with our team at Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions is that our team will travel right to your home to administer care. If you’ve been avoiding traveling due to the fear of falling, working with our team is the perfect solution. For more information on how we can help, please don’t hesitate to contact us today and schedule your first appointment.   

As we continue to age, it becomes easier and more comfortable to convert to a sedentary lifestyle. However, making this decision can have various adverse effects. When seniors begin to stop moving around, it becomes more and more challenging to start up again. Fortunately, our team at Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions can help work against this problem. We want to present some of the best forms of exercise for seniors to stay active while also remaining safe.

Light Aerobic Exercises  

Exercises that increase your heart rate and help break a sweat are always beneficial. Aerobic exercises can help improve blood circulation while also working to keep you at a healthy weight. While seniors may not push themselves as they did, it is still essential to perform moderate ones when possible. Some aerobic exercises that are safe to perform (depending on your health status) can include the following:

• Walking.
• Jogging.
• Dancing.
• Swimming.
• Stationary biking.

Strength Exercises

Aerobic exercises are not the only activities people in the senior population need to focus on. Keeping your muscles active and healthy is just as crucial for your overall health. However, our staff won’t be recommending seniors start adding heavy workouts such as deadlifting into their daily routines. Instead, there are safer ways for people of an older age to achieve this goal. High repetitions of low amounts of weight are excellent for muscle toning. Additionally, resistance bands can be used to help improve your strength without needing to pick up any weights.   

The Benefits Of Exercising

Now that some forms of exercising that seniors should consider participating in have been discussed, our team would now like to address how it can help you. Patients should be confident that our staff would not have them perform activities that did not benefit them. By listening to our advice, the perks you can receive may include:

• Improved mental health.
• Increased energy levels.
• Preventing the development of certain health complications.
• Decreased risk of falls and other balance problems.
• Enhanced cognitive function.

Contact Us

If you’re a part of the senior population, don’t think you need to avoid physical activity altogether. By listening to our team’s advice, you can reap the health benefits that accompany safe exercise. For more information on how we can help, please be sure to contact our team at Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions today.

At Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, one of the most beneficial aspects of our services is that we will travel to provide care from the comfort of your own home. This means patients in pain don’t need to travel to receive care. However, the healing process should not stop when we leave after the appointment is over. If you’re serious about recovering, you should be completing the exercises we teach you to perform even after we are gone. But how often should you be performing them? Our team has the answer to these questions.

What Is Physical Therapy?

Before addressing how often you should be completing these exercises, our team first needs you to understand physical therapy. This healing process involves the use of therapeutic stretches and activities targeted to the affected area. Our team will perform a full assessment to determine the level of physical output the injured area can handle and then move forward with a treatment plan. Examples of the benefits that come from doing so can include:

• Improved flexibility.
• Increased range of motion.
• Regained strength.
• Elimination of pain.
• Mitigated risk of future injuries.

Performing Exercises On Your Own 

As previously stated, just performing the exercises during your scheduled appointments will not be enough for you to make a full recovery. If you choose to go down that route, the recovery timeline will be vastly extended. You also increase the risk of suffering from certain medical complications. For the treatment to be effective, we highly recommend performing these exercises around 3 to 5 times a week for 2 to 3 weeks. In order to stick to this plan, we’d like to lay out the below advice:

• Block off 30 minutes in your calendar on days you’d like to perform these exercises.
• Set an alarm for when you’d like to start exercising.
• Record your pain level to watch it change. Please report any suspected issues with your pain levels to our team.
• Ask our team which exercises you should be prioritizing.
• Pair your physical therapy exercises with regular daily activities.    

Should You Do Rehab Exercises Everyday

Dealing with an injury can be annoying. Just remember that rest is an extremely important part of the healing process. Taking part in rehab exercises is key to gaining strength and mobility back in the injured area. With that being said, there must be rest days in between; without it there will be no progress. That is due to the fact that the muscles don’t have time to recover.

Contact Our Team

At Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, we understand the importance of our services. That is why we are always here to help. If you’d like more information regarding how often you should be performing your physical therapy exercises, contact us today.

Few things are more fundamental to the human experience than being able to walk. When you’ve been able to do this all your life, then suddenly are faced with issues doing so, it can be challenging to deal with. Our team at Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions understands this and is here to help. No matter what has caused your walking issues, our team will work diligently to help correct them.

Common Issues We Help With

As we continue to age, there are many problems that can lead to an impaired ability to walk. Fortunately, our team is well versed in treating patients suffering through this complication. While there may be many causes that affect you, we’ll work diligently to create a treatment plan that works best for you. Some of the most common ones we treat include:

• Slip and fall injuries.
• Vestibular problems.
• Post-operative issues.
• Inflamed joints.
• Muscle weakness.

At-Home Physical Therapy

One of the primary areas of care we offer is at-home physical therapy. When you’re having issues walking, traveling for care can be out of the question. That is what makes our team so unique. We’ll travel right to your home so you can experience care without issue. Once there, we’ll utilize the following to help get you back on your feet:

• Therapeutic stretches.
• Strengthening exercises.
• Heat and cold therapy.
• Massage therapy.
• Electronic muscle stimulation.

The Benefits Of Working With Our Team

When it comes to issues with walking, there are many treatment options to consider. However, it’s essential to choose to work with a team that will provide the most benefits. At Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, we can be this team. Allowing us to administer care comes with an abundance of benefits, including the below:

• Increased strength.
• Improved flexibility and range of motion.
• Regained balance.
• Being able to walk once again.
• Receiving care without needing to travel.

Contact Our Team  

Don’t let issues with walking take over your life. By working with our team at Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, you’ll find your quality of life will be restored. To get the rehab process started now, be sure to contact our team today.

At any age, it’s essential to focus on keeping a good diet and staying hydrated. However, as we get older, this becomes even more important. A poor diet can lead to a myriad of serious health problems. At Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, we want you to stay as healthy as possible. That is why we’d like to share the importance of a good diet and hydration and tips to accomplish this goal.  

Problems With A Bad Diet

When it comes to staying healthy, eating right, and drinking plenty of water is the key to success. While it’s easy to want to slack on this while we continue to age, doing so comes with the potential for serious health issues. The most common issues regarding this include the below:

• High cholesterol.
• High blood pressure.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Joint inflammation.
• Heart disease.
• Increased risk of stroke.
• Obesity-related issues.
• Bouts of dizziness and fainting

Benefits Of Eating Right

Just as eating poorly comes with health risks, eating well, and drinking plenty of water brings about benefits. As we age, we can use as many health advantages as we can get. That is why our team highly recommends making a point of eating as nutritious as possible. The health benefits of doing so can include the below:

• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Increased energy levels.
• Better sleep patterns. 
• Reduced risk of cancer.
• Improved digestion.
• Improved memory.

Tips For Staying Healthy

Eating right and drinking enough water can be difficult. Our team understands this, which is why we’d like to help. We can provide you with some tips on doing so, allowing you to get the most out of your golden years of life. To stay healthy, we recommend following the below:

• Drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up.
• Purchase a water bottle that holds the total amount of water you need to drink during the day.
• Consider meal prepping for the weak, so you have healthier options.
• Eat slower, so you feel full without overeating.
• Increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Contact Us

Eating right and staying hydrated plays a crucial role in your overall health. To stay protected in your old age, it’s essential to take this seriously. At Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, we’re here to help. To learn more about the importance of a healthy diet and tips to stick to it, contact us today.

Have you noticed that sometimes when you move your knees, a sound begins to echo from them? When this happens now and then, there is nothing to worry about. However, if it happens often, there is likely an issue taking place that needs monitoring. At Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, our team can help with these issues. We’ll lay out some of the most common causes of a cracking knee and what can be done to help keep the joints healthy.

Common Causes Of Knee Crackles

When you find cracking or popping coming from one or both of your knees, various culprits can be to blame. Some are harmless, while others will need both monitoring and treatment to prevent severe knee damage from taking place. Common causes of this crackling include the below:

• Gas bubbles.
• Stretched out ligaments stretching back into place.
• Joint instability.
• Injuries.
• Aftereffects of certain surgeries.

When Should You Worry About Knee Cracks? 

As previously stated, having your knee crack every now again does not necessarily point to issues. Any joint in your body can experience cracks during movement, and in most cases, it will be a one-time occurrence. However, there are times when these knee cracks should be checked out right away. If these sounds are accompanied by pain, it’s time to seek treatment from our team at Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions. That is because pain and cracking sounds can point towards any of the below problems:

• The onset of osteoporosis.
• Rheumatoid or infectious arthritis.
• Various types of knee injuries.  

Treating Knee Crackle  

Fortunately, when it comes to knee crackles, several treatment methods can be utilized to help patients dealing with this complication. At Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, we will perform a full evaluation of your knee to determine the best course of action. Examples of these include:

• Weight management to take unnecessary pressure off of the knee.
• Increased exercising.
• Heat and cold therapy.
• Physical therapy.

Contact Our Team

When you’ve been dealing with knee cracking and pain, it’s time to seek out treatment. At Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, we will do everything in our power to help get you back to full strength. To schedule your first appointment for care, be sure to contact our team today.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still likely to be looming over our heads for some period of time, many people are likely unable or unwilling to head to their regular fitness facilities for exercise. This can take a toll on both physical and mental well-being, as training is an essential part of staying in shape and reducing stress. Fortunately, at Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, we have some options that can help. We want to share some household items that can be used for exercise, so you can work on staying active without needing to leave your home.  

Stairs

Although it is less a household item and more a part of your house, stairs can be a great source of exercise when you’re staying at home. The act of climbing up a flight of stairs can get your heart pumping if done correctly. There are various ways to turn each flight of stairs into an exercise station, including the below:

• Repeatedly walk up and down the stairs for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Skip over one or two steps every time you climb a flight of stairs to engage your leg muscles.
• Perform ten pushups or sit-ups every time you have to walk up or down a flight of stairs.

Backpacks

Utilizing any backpacks you have at home is another excellent way to get some exercise each day. You can fill a backpack with all sorts of items that will make lifting it taxing, allowing you to get a workout in even when completing remedial tasks. You can also wear it while performing the below bodyweight exercises, giving you an extra challenge:

• Lunges.
• Pushups.
• Squats.

Additional Household Items

When it comes to creating an at-home exercise program, creativity is vital. By thinking outside of the box, you can turn many everyday items into the perfect workout gear. In addition to what was previously listed, you can also try out some of the below:

• Gallon water bottles to use as weights.
• Couch cushions to aid in balance exercises.
• Beach towels to act as impromptu yoga mats.
• Any length of chain to add extra weight to bodyweight exercises.  

Contact Us

At Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, our team is composed of experts that will bring physical activities right to your doorstep. If you’re interested in learning more ways of how to turn household items into workout gear, or need to schedule an appointment for at-home care, be sure to contact our team today!

Are you someone who struggles with daily bouts of stiff joints? If this sounds like you, it’s easy to assume the best thing you can do is rest your joints as often as possible. Although it may seem counterintuitive, too much rest will only further the issue at hand. At Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, our team can help with this problem. We’ll provide you with physical therapy sessions needed for you to improve mobility and restore your quality of life.

Causes Of Joint Stiffness

When it comes to joint stiffness, there are a variety of reasons that can be affecting you. Fortunately, here at Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, we are well versed in treating all of the most common causes. The following are a few examples of the conditions our team can help with treating:

• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Osteoarthritis.
• Lupus.
• Bursitis.
• Gout.

What Is Physical Therapy?

Those who face daily bouts with joint stiffness can find their condition improved from physical therapy sessions with our team. This type of treatment involves stretching and strengthening exercises to promote healing from within the affected area. A full assessment of your condition will be made before determining what exercises will work best for you. However, there are other aspects to physical therapy other than physical activities. Any of the below may also be included to help with your joint mobility:

• Massage therapy.
• Heat and cold therapy.
• Electronic muscle stimulation.   

The Benefits Of Physical Therapy

Depending on the condition you are currently dealing with, various symptoms can be causing your joint stiffness. Fortunately, one of the benefits of physical therapy is the wide range of injuries and symptoms it can treat. By coming in for treatment, you’ll reap the additional services that physical therapy brings, including:

• Reduced inflammation.
• Elimination of pain.
• Improved strength.
• Increased flexibility and range of motion.

Schedule An Appointment

At Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, we’ll bring the treatment you need right to your door. When you’re dealing with joint stiffness, don’t sit around and hope it will go away on its own. To schedule your much-needed appointment for physical therapy, please don’t hesitate to contact our team today.