SPT "Mobility Training"

[PTDawg]

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Hey all. First post on here. I was recently asked by a family friend to help an aging (90yo) grandfather gain mobility and help with gait around his house. As an SPT, what are my options to be able to help? I'm aware that I am unable to call it 'Physical Therapy' as I am not board certified. Can I help? What would I call it? Can I charge? Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[PTMattI]

You can call it helping your friend`s grandfather get around his home.... I dont see anything wrong with charging some $ for your time. Just refrain from making any diagnosis or anything like that, and if he has something that may require professional assistance make sure he sees the proper HCP. If he is relatively healthy and you are just helping him walk around, you should be fine.

Considering this is someone you know (through a family friend) you should be okay...but the safest thing would be to get a real cheap personal trainer certification and some insurance....

 

[Azimuthal]

Does your state recognize student designations, such as SPT or SPI? If yes, the answer is to refer this person to a HCP. If no, use your best judgement. Remember that your student status makes you vulnerable with required supervision, etc. It doesn't matter what you refer to it as or call it. I'm assuming that if he needs help with mobility, it will be legally defined as "rehabilitation", requiring a medically skilled service versus habilitation or conditioning, which a personal training certification would cover if the situation was concerning a non-medically involved client. Insurance will only cover you as long as you stay within your scope. Stray and you're 100% liable. Also, you better check your state laws about fee for services if you're planning to charge.

 

[PTMattI]

I guess the main issue would be staying within your scope...if you got a personal trainer cert you could easily claim that you are working on this person`s fitness and wellness and stay well within your scope. You could have him fill out a PAR-Q to see if he is medically cleared to begin a structured exercise program.
Not sure about @Azimuthal`s claim that if someone needs help with mobility, any help they receive is legally defined as `rehabilitation`...couldnt you argue that a majority of elderly people need help with mobility to some extent? Many of these people are working with personal trainers.

But yes, ultimately the safest thing would be to check your state laws...but I personally think you should be fine training him under a personal training cert assuming he is clear to begin an exercise program and does not have any major underlying medical conditions which would require him exercising under the guidance of a HCP.

 

[Azimuthal]

I guess the main issue would be staying within your scope...if you got a personal trainer cert you could easily claim that you are working on this person`s fitness and wellness and stay well within your scope. You could have him fill out a PAR-Q to see if he is medically cleared to begin a structured exercise program.
Not sure about @Azimuthal`s claim that if someone needs help with mobility, any help they receive is legally defined as `rehabilitation`...couldnt you argue that a majority of elderly people need help with mobility to some extent? Many of these people are working with personal trainers.

But yes, ultimately the safest thing would be to check your state laws...but I personally think you should be fine training him under a personal training cert assuming he is clear to begin an exercise program and does not have any major underlying medical conditions which would require him exercising under the guidance of a HCP.

The reason why I wouldn't is because the OP stated that he was to assist this 90-yo in regaining mobility. To me, this means that he lacks this function all together. Stand alone personal trainers provide habilitation and conditioning for clients who are functional and thus most likely fall out of requiring skilled physical therapy. I do not doubt that trainers have been helping the elderly with improving their mobility, but I doubt that their clients are unable to retrieve their mail or perform room to room transfers safely. Those who can't have no underlying medical issues. The PAR-Q is a great idea, but if this elderly gentleman needs help with either bed mobility or sit to stand transfers, I'd back away and refer. Protect yourself first.

I have also seen many people ask about doing personal training on the side. Depending on state law, you may be providing personal training services, but you'll always be under the umbrella of the physical therapist license. Miss something that you would normally catch on an evaluation/examination or an injury occurrence may make you liable due to the assumption that your background provides you more depth in medical screening, etc. "Protect yourself at all times." Just my opinion.