That's what Judith Horn had to do. She was a geriatric physical therapist who had decades of experience behind her, ten plus years as a specialist. The specialty is relatively new, but Judith saw the need to work with older patients whose needs can be very different.
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. The treatment may be quicker.
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 an independent living home, Judih 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 eye 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 persued like painting and golf. Yep, golf! You can listen to Judith tell her own story on the podcast "Older Women & Friends" at janeleder.net.
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