Patient Success Story: How Physiotherapy Helped an 86-Year-Old Regain Independence After a Fall

One of the most rewarding patients I am currently supporting is an 86-year-old lady who began her rehabilitation with a high level of dependency. She required a hoist for all bed and chair transfers and received care four times each day.

Eighteen months before starting rehabilitation, she had sustained a fall that resulted in a fractured right shoulder. Although the fracture had healed, ongoing pain, fear of movement and reduced confidence meant she had very limited functional use of her right upper limb. As a result, her mobility, independence and confidence had gradually declined.

When I first met her, our rehabilitation goals focused on improving her functional ability, exercise tolerance, strength, balance, independence and confidence with mobility and transfers. However, what stood out most was one very personal goal. She wanted to be able to walk outside and sit in her garden again.

Working under the supervision of the physiotherapist, I supported her through a six-week rehabilitation programme consisting of 12 treatment sessions. This included progressive lower limb strengthening exercises to improve muscle strength and endurance, balance exercises to reduce her risk of falls, sit-to-stand practice, transfer training, gait re-education and progressive mobility using a four-wheeled walker.

Throughout each session, I provided close supervision, reassurance and verbal cueing to promote safe movement, build confidence and encourage greater independence.

Alongside this, I encouraged gentle functional use of her right upper limb within her tolerance to help reduce fear of movement, improve strength and restore her ability to complete everyday activities. I closely monitored her response to treatment, documented her progress accurately and communicated regularly with the supervising physiotherapist to ensure her rehabilitation programme progressed safely and appropriately.

Over time, she made significant and meaningful progress. She moved from requiring a hoist for every transfer to completing bed and chair transfers independently with close supervision and encouragement. She also regained functional use of her right arm, allowing her to eat and drink independently, use her mobile phone and operate the television remote control with much greater confidence.

By the end of the 12 treatment sessions, she had achieved her personal goal of mobilising outdoors and sitting in her garden again!

Watching her reach this milestone was incredibly rewarding. It served as a reminder that rehabilitation is about far more than improving physical function. It is about restoring confidence, independence and helping people return to the activities that bring them joy and purpose.

A further 12-week maintenance programme has now been planned to continue building on her progress. Together, we will focus on increasing her outdoor mobility, further improving her strength and balance, enhancing her walking endurance and working towards gardening activities such as tending to her plants safely and independently.

Reflecting on this experience has reinforced for me the importance of patient-centred rehabilitation, consistent encouragement and taking the time to build trust. It has also highlighted the value of working collaboratively with the supervising physiotherapist, care team and family to support meaningful recovery. Every small achievement built upon the last, and celebrating those milestones together helped motivate us all to keep progressing towards her goals!

As a Technical Instructor Physiotherapy Assistant, this journey has reminded me that successful rehabilitation is not measured solely by clinical outcomes. It is measured by the moments that matter most to our patients. Seeing this lady walk into her garden again, after believing she may never do so, was a powerful reminder of why I chose this profession.

Written by Lynn Johnstone, Technical Instructor Physiotherapy Assistant

At HomePhysio By Nicola Ltd, we are passionate about delivering personalised, evidence-based physiotherapy and rehabilitation that focuses on what matters most to each individual. Whether supporting someone after a fall, recovering from surgery, living with a neurological condition or rebuilding confidence after illness, our goal is always the same: to help people move better, feel better and live better.

Could physiotherapy help you or someone you love?

If you or a family member has experienced a fall, reduced mobility, muscle weakness or a loss of confidence, our experienced team of Chartered Physiotherapists and Technical Instructor Physiotherapy Assistants can provide personalised rehabilitation either in your own home or at our fully accessible clinic in Selkirk, Scottish Borders.

To find out more or book an assessment, contact HomePhysio By Nicola Ltd on 01750 491549 or email enquiries@homephysionicola.co.uk.

Together, we’ll help you take the next step towards greater strength, confidence and independence.