The home care physiotherapist
One of a series of stories looking at the new normal for our neighbours whose jobs are considered essential
WATERLOO REGION — When making that transition from hospital to home, sometimes people need a little help to get back on their feet.
Over the past two months, some physiotherapists in Waterloo Region have been providing this help through phone calls, video chats and even faceto-face home visits.
Rebecca Jo Elliott — RJ for short — works as a home care physiotherapist and has been visiting patients where they live several times a week, even through this pandemic.
With most of her patients, she’s able to connect with them virtually, but for those identified as “high fall risks,” she needs to see them in person.
“In home care, because our main role is to try and help keep people out of hospitals and to keep them safe, we are essential services,” she said.
The people she’s visiting aren’t tending to a sprained ankle or nursing a shoulder injury — her patients are mostly seniors who may have just left the hospital and are at a high risk of reinjuring themselves if they don’t receive immediate care.
Elliott works for CBI Health Group and supervises a team of physiotherapists in Waterloo Region.
Once the group receives a patient referral from a hospital, a
therapist will connect with a patient to make assessments of both the individual and their environment.
“It’s very much about empowering the patient with the information and equipment that they need to help themselves get independent.”
Before the new coronavirus spread to Canada, home visits were the norm, but now they’re only done when absolutely necessary. Depending on the situation, an assessment may be able to be completed over video.
“A huge part of our role is making connections with these people and even though you can still do that virtually, it’s harder.”
Connecting through a screen, it’s difficult to build that trusting relationship, she said. They may not understand the recommendations offered, or in some cases, may not be able to hear and understand everything being said.
At the same time, in-person visits during this pandemic bring their own challenges. Patients have to be screened before physiotherapists can enter a home. If the questionnaire raises any flags, Elliott will suit up in full personal protective equipment (PPE); mask, googles, gloves and gown.
If the patient passes the screening without any issues, she’ll sanitize their hands, put on a mask and go inside.
While she’s in there, she’ll avoid touching anything and instead of sitting down to talk to the patient, she’ll crouch.
Weeks ago Elliott received a referral to see a woman who was just returning to her retirement home after being in hospital. On the same day, an outbreak was announced at the home and Elliott wasn’t allowed in.
She ended up spending a long time on the phone with the nursing staff to gauge the situation and make recommendations for her patient over the phone.
When the outbreak lifted two weeks later, she was allowed in to see her.
In order to protect patients from any potential cross contamination, she avoids doing multiple home visits in the same day.
She also remains vigilant at home, making sure she keeps up on hand hygiene and laundry days.
Living with her sister and a friend, each who are also essential workers, she has to remain hyper aware of any potential exposure.