World Physiotherapy Day
World’s Physiotherapy Day is dedicated to recognising the noble contribution of physiotherapists in regaining mobility and independence. It is also a day to spread awareness of the critical role therapists play in helping people of all ages to stay healthy and ensuring their quality of life is preserved and enhanced.
Read how Siew Ching and Dave Arvindh are persevering in their career as professional physiotherapists and making impacts on their Care Recipients’ lives below!
Meet 2 of the Homage physiotherapists!
Siew Ching Choo, Homage Physiotherapist since 2020
Dave Arvindh Babu, Homage Physiotherapist since 2022
Why did you become a therapist?
Siew Ching: My grandmother’s stroke diagnosis sparked my interest in physiotherapy. She was in a wheelchair after her first stroke, and she developed pressure sores while bedridden after her second stroke. We didn’t know much about stroke at the time, let alone about rehabilitation and physiotherapy, and our family wasn’t very affluent. After wasting a lot of time trying to find out what to do, my grandma passed away six years later. Things may have gone differently back then if we had greater knowledge about physiotherapy. I wish to impact other people’s lives through proper education and the right medical intervention to help regain the health of my patients.
Dave Arvindh: Before I became a therapist, I understood the responsibility of a therapist in making the impossible possible. Physiotherapy caught my attention because it was a profession where I could have a direct impact on someone and teach them the knowledge that I, myself, had acquired.
There is an infinite amount of opportunity and the profession is constantly developing. I love it because it is a profession where you are always learning new things and helping people. Physiotherapists help patients in every aspect of their existence, whether it be their health, confidence, or even overcoming obstacles that seem insurmountable. So I took the initiative to become one.
How would you describe the responsibilities of a physiotherapist?
Dave Arvindh: In addition to the usual duties like evaluating the patient, organizing and carrying out the treatment, and reviewing recovery, I think it’s important to restore the care recipient’s confidence and remind them that they can achieve their goals if they take the first step. Most patients are scared to begin treatment, and it is our job to encourage them into getting better. We have to collaborate with our patients to improve their overall well-being and promote a healthy lifestyle.
What do you enjoy most about being a physical therapist?
Siew Ching: I personally believe physiotherapy is one of the finest and most rewarding professions because there is no better feeling than helping people to live normal, healthy and pain-free lives. The satisfaction and excitement of a patient achieving their goal of living life to the fullest capacity can never be measured.
The feeling when a patient says ‘Hey! I can do this already!’ is just priceless. When you help someone who has been severely paralysed get up again on their own, you feel immense joy, but more significantly, you know that you are changing someone’s life. An added bonus is it teaches the physiotherapist to also live a healthy and active life due to their understanding of wellness and disease prevention.
I am glad to work in such a noble yet underrated field. – Care Pro Siew
In your opinion, what does it take to become a good physiotherapist?
Siew Ching: To me, a good physiotherapist is someone who can work with patients to achieve their set goals. Listen actively to your patients and learn the right questions (and how to ask them) in order for you to pinpoint the areas you need to focus on.
Compliance is a significant challenge for many patients and therapists. Read and learn about motivation and compliance to help your patients reach their goals.
How do you motivate your patient to get better other than the help of your treatment?
Dave Arvindh: As physical therapists, we understand that completing your physical therapy routine may be something you sometimes struggle to find the motivation to do, but it’s important to keep trying so that you can make the fullest recovery possible.
It’s easier said than done to find ways to motivate yourself, but it’s certainly not impossible.
A good way to help a patient develop autonomy is by emphasizing the development of long-term goals with your patient during the initial visit. Keeping physical therapy patient-focused helps develop a treatment plan that sets up patients for success.
What memory stood out the most throughout being a physiotherapist?
Siew Ching: My first patient was the most memorable one for me. He was my first ever patient and my first success story as a physiotherapist. This patient went from crying during his daily physio sessions after his stroke to driving independently now. The outcome was beyond what I expected and I am so proud to see him getting better with the help I get satisfaction when I see that someone feels stronger and they feel that they can now conquer anything that comes their way.
What is your message in conjunction with this year’s World’s Physiotherapist Day?
Siew Ching: Let us work together to add meaning to the lives of our patients. Happy World Physiotherapy Day!
Dave Arvindh: A physiotherapist covers most of the mechanical problems humans face. I would like to take this opportunity to appreciate the hard work and efforts a physiotherapist puts in to improve the quality of life of their patients. Happy World Physiotherapy Day!
Offering Primary Caregivers Respite and Support
Homage has many caregivers from different walks of life with the common goal of helping seniors and adults on their road to recovery. Our home care and support are aimed at empowering them to continue living healthy, fulfilling lives. At Homage, working as a Care Professional grants you a wide array of opportunities and advantages:
- Stay flexible with a better work-life balance as a freelance, part-time or full-time Care Professional
- Receive a stable income or competitive salary package that corresponds to their knowledge, skillset, and experience
- Gain opportunities to work with us regularly and tier up in your career pathway as a Care Professional
- Upgrade your skills with holistic and specialised training and certifications from our training partners and in-house specialists
