Elderly Physiotherapy at Home in Shankar Sheth Road, Pune

For an older person, independence near Shankar Sheth Road often comes down to one question: can I still cross the road? Errands that once took a few minutes, to a bank branch, a temple or a shop on the far side, now mean heavy two-wheeler traffic, a central divider and wide junctions such as Seven Loves Chowk. Relatives at work worry, and some older people stop going out altogether, which weakens the legs and makes the next outing harder still.

Our elderly physiotherapy page describes physiotherapy for older adults in general. This page looks at how we help older people around this road stay active and confident.

Why the road outside matters

• Crossing time. Crossing needs walking speed, a steady turn of the head to check traffic, and the confidence to keep going once started.
• Kerbs and broken edges. Stepping down without a rail, sometimes onto an uneven surface, is a common moment for a trip.
• Evening light. In 2025, residents complained that streetlights on the Swargate stretch near Ekbote Colony were not working, and in poor light, edges and potholes are hard to see.
• Stairs at home. Many older residents in the peths behind the road live in wadas or buildings without a lift, so the staircase is the first hurdle of every outing.

Strength and balance work at home

The first visit includes a conversation about falls, near-misses, dizziness, eyesight, medicines and fear of falling, followed by simple tests: rising from a chair without using the arms, standing with the feet together and then heel to toe, turning, and walking a short distance at a usual and a brisk pace. These show where the gaps are. The programme then targets them with the kind of exercise that has good evidence in older adults: leg strengthening, standing balance progressed safely, and regular walking. Exercises are set up beside a kitchen counter or a sturdy chair, so there is always something to hold.

Fall prevention is covered more fully on our fall prevention therapy page. Older adults with painful knees may find our knee pain physiotherapy page useful, and families caring for a parent after a stroke can read about stroke rehabilitation on Shankar Sheth Road.

Making the outing safer

• Go out in daylight where possible, and choose crossings with a signal rather than gaps in the divider.
• Wait for the next green light instead of setting off partway through one.
• Use a walking stick if the physiotherapist recommends one, set to the right height and held in the hand opposite the weaker leg.
• Wear closed footwear with a firm grip; loose chappals catch on kerbs.
• Build up to longer walks somewhere quieter first. Ghorpade Garden has pathways, benches for rests and a morning yoga group for senior citizens, which some people find a good reason to go out.
• Carry a phone, and tell someone at home the route and roughly when you expect to be back.

When the patient is ready, the physiotherapist may walk the route with them once, pointing out where to rest and where to cross.

Falls and sudden changes that need a doctor

After a fall, get medical help if the person cannot get up or bear weight, has hit their head, or takes blood thinners. Sudden confusion, new weakness down one side, or a marked change in walking over a day or two also needs a doctor rather than a wait for the next physiotherapy visit.

Families can book through the booking page; the page on home physiotherapy on Shankar Sheth Road explains how visits are arranged.