How to choose a mobile physio: seven questions to ask

Inviting a health professional into your parent’s home is an act of trust, and the industry doesn’t make choosing easy: every website says “caring” and “experienced”, including ours. So ignore the adjectives and ask questions with checkable answers. Here are the seven we’d ask — and yes, we’ve included the ones that are occasionally awkward for us too.

1. “Who exactly will be coming, and will it be the same person every time?”

You want a name, not a roster. Continuity is clinical, not cosmetic: a physio who saw last month’s wobble notices this month’s improvement. Rotating strangers reset that clock every visit — and for clients with dementia, continuity is close to everything.

2. “Are they AHPRA-registered, insured and police-checked?”

The answer must be an immediate yes for all three. You can verify AHPRA registration yourself in two minutes at ahpra.gov.au — a professional service won’t be offended that you checked; it’ll be pleased.

3. “What experience do you have with people like my mum?”

Be specific: stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s, a recent hip replacement. Listen for specific answers back — formal credentials (APA gerontology or neurological titles, dementia training), hospital background in aged care or rehab, and comfort discussing your exact scenario rather than steering back to generalities.

4. “How will you keep the family in the loop?”

The single biggest difference between services, and the least-asked question. “You can call us anytime” is not a system. You want proactive, routine communication — ours is a plain-English update after every visit — plus proper progress reports your care manager or plan reviewer can use.

5. “What will this cost, all-in, through my funding?”

A good provider quotes the fee for your funding situation on the first call — including travel — and can explain in one breath how Support at Home, NDIS plan management or private billing will work. Vagueness about money on the phone rarely improves on the invoice.

6. “How soon can you start, honestly?”

Post-hospital weeks are precious: strength lost waiting is strength that must be rebuilt. If there’s a waitlist, you deserve a straight answer about its length. (You also deserve suspicion of anyone promising tomorrow for everything — capacity that loose usually means someone brand new or someone stretched.)

7. “When will she no longer need you?”

Our favourite question, because it exposes the business model. Good therapy has a shape: an intensive block, measurable goals, then stepping down to maintenance or independence. A provider who can’t describe how visits will reduce is describing a subscription, not a treatment plan.

When you’re ready: referrals take about two minutes, and there’s no obligation on the other side of the first call.