How do I prepare my home for a physiotherapy visit?
Clear a small area to sit and lie down, keep the stairs and bathroom as they normally are, and have the right person and the right papers at hand. It takes about ten minutes.
The physiotherapist wants to see how you really live. A tidy-up for appearances is not needed.
What space does the physiotherapist need?
Enough room to sit, lie flat and walk a few steps.
- A firm place to sit with a back, such as a sturdy chair without wheels.
- A bed or firm sofa where you can lie down.
- A clear path from the chair to the front door, and to the bathroom.
- A fan on, and good light.
- Pets or loud TV moved away.
Leave the rest. A small living room in a terrace house is usually enough.
What about the stairs?
Show them as they are. The physiotherapist will watch you go up and down, and look at the handrail, the steps and the lighting.
Tell us the number of stairs and where the bedroom is. In an Ipoh terrace house, the bedroom is usually upstairs, and in a shophouse the stairs can be narrow and steep. Our guide to stairs in Ipoh terrace houses after surgery shows what we look for.
What about the bathroom?
Do not scrub the floor first. The physiotherapist wants to see a wet bathroom as it is, since slippery tiles and a step at the door are common causes of falls.
Mention whether you use a squat toilet or a seated one, and whether there is a stool. Read bathroom safety for elderly Malaysians before the visit.
Who should be there and what should I have ready?
Someone who knows your routine, and these papers.
- Diagnosis, hospital discharge papers and scan reports.
- A list of medicines.
- Walking aids, shoes and the slippers you wear at home.
- A list of questions.
- A phone for a video call to a family member in KL or Singapore.
For a condo or gated area, send the block, unit and access instructions before the day. Our page on home physio for condos and apartments in Ipoh has more.
Can a family member in KL help prepare?
Yes. Ask the helper to send photos of the stairs, the bathroom and the bedroom, and a short video of the walk from the bed to the toilet.
Send those to us before the visit. We tell you which parts to leave and which to clear, and you can see the home safety checklist together on a call. Home visits across Ipoh are available now, and our Canning Garden centre is opening soon.