A Tale of a Geriatric Physical Therapist: Adapt, Adapt, Adapt with Judith Horn

Judith Horn was a geriatric physical therapist with decades of experience behind her, plus years as a specialist. The specialty is relatively new, but Judith saw the need to work with older patients whose needs differ greatly from others.

What is the value of seeing a geriatric physical therapist? Like any health issue, we choose to see a physician who specializes. Someone with a heart problem sees a cardiologist. Someone who has pulmonary issues sees a pulmonologist. Someone with migraines sees a neurologist. A geriatric PT can spotlight physical aches, pains, and the side effects of various surgeries. (See below for a complete list of conditions a geriatric PT can treat.)

Judith's grandmother played a significant role in her decision to become a therapist. She watched as she cared for her mother, Judith's great-grandmother, who'd lost the lower half of both legs and her eyesight due to diabetes.

My grandmother made her mother's life as rich and active as it could be. Her 'mantra' was what can I do to circumvent the obstacles and expand her quality of life.

As Judith's grandmother aged, Judith was instrumental in her care. And when her grandmother moved to a nursing home, Judith lived close by and visited her almost every day. When she asked her grandmother what she needed, her grandmother replied, "I have everything I need right here," as she patted her heart.

Judith never imagined that she'd suffer a serious disease and, in many ways, need the care of others. She first developed a macular hole like a "pothole" in the back of one eye. That scambled her sight; people looked like "monsters." Following surgery, that eye was almost useless. She needed cataract surgery. That helped, and for a year, she had a reprieve. Then, she had an optic nerve stroke in her "good" eye. Part of her field of vision was gone.

Today, Judith still juggles what she can and can't do. She has the most trouble with reading, which, for an educator and lifetime learner, is a huge challenge. Sometimes, her eyes get mixed up, which affects her balance and the amount of visual currency she has in a day.

Due to her illnesses, Judith had to retire earlier than she'd planned. Yet she says, there are new activities that she'd never pursued like painting and golf. Yep, golf! You can listen to Judith tell her own story on the podcast "Older Women & Friends" at janeleder.net or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Geriatric therapists treat a wide variety of clients:

• Healthy adults who want to continue to safely pursue sports and leisure activities as they age.
• People who are at risk for injuries from falls.
• Those with medical conditions that limit their movement or ability to take part in everyday activities.
• Critically ill or injured older adults in the hospital.
• Older people recovering from surgery.
• Frail adults who require short-term skilled nursing or long-term care.
• Older adults in hospice care who want to remain as independent as possible.
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Geriatric physical therapists often evaluate and treat people with health conditions, such as: