Setting: Hospital 

CARER 

You are the son/daughter of a 78-year-old woman who was admitted to hospital three weeks ago with vomiting and diarrhoea, resulting in a significant reduction in mobility. Your mother will soon be ready for discharge. You have asked to see the physiotherapist because you would like to know how to help her with her recovery. Your mother is not present for the discussion. 

• When asked, say you’d like to know how you can help your mother with her recovery at home.

• When asked, say you’d just like to know how to help your mother strengthen the muscles in her legs once she is back at home because of her age and now that she is weak after being in hospital; you don’t want her to fall.  
• When asked, say your mother lives with you and your family but you’re still concerned about how you can help to keep her active; she may not be able to cope with a lot of activities after her hospital stay.

• Say you’ll look into those activities and you’ll encourage her to participate in some. When asked, say you’d like to know if she should use any special equipment or shoes.
• Say you’ll make sure to bring in appropriate shoes for your mother and to follow all those suggestions.  

Setting: Hospital 

Ayurveda Practitioner
You see the son/daughter of a 78-year-old woman who was admitted to hospital three weeks ago with vomiting and diarrhoea. You have been seeing her due to reduced mobility and increased fall risk. The patient will soon be ready for discharge, but the son/daughter would like to see you about his/her mother’s recovery. His/her mother is not present for the discussion.  

Task

• Find out reason for son/daughter’s request to see you.  
• Explore specific concerns about mother’s recovery (mobility, falls, independence, etc.).  
• Make recommendations for mother’s recovery (e.g., getting patient to move around more each day; walking short distances: increasing gradually; gentle exercises; etc.). Describe some specific leg strengthening exercises suitable for his/her mother (e.g., sit to stand, hip abduction and flexion, heel raises, stepping up onto a step, etc.). Find out if his/her mother lives alone.  
• Stress importance of exercise (e.g., improved strength and balance, increased range of movement, etc.). Emphasise appropriate activities for his/her mother (e.g., aqua aerobics, walking, swimming, tai chi/shadowboxing, etc.). Find out any other questions/concerns.  
• Advise on appropriate footwear (e.g., shoes for ambulation: to be brought to hospital, for use in hospital, and when going home, etc.).

Sample Roleplay

Ayurveda Practitioner (Collins Marley): Hello there Mihiraa. Good afternoon, I’m your mother’s attending Ayurveda Practitioner, Collins Marley. May I know the reason for your request to see me?

Mihiraa: Good afternoon Collins. I’d really like to know how I can help my mother with her recovery once she’s back home. She’s been quite weak since her admission, and I want to make sure I’m doing everything right to support her.

Ayurveda Practitioner (Collins Marley): Of course, it’s wonderful that you’re thinking ahead about her care. That kind of support from family makes a big difference. Recovery can take time, especially after a hospital stay, and it’s completely normal to feel uncertain about how to help. Are there any particular concerns you’ve noticed, or things you’re especially worried about?

Mihiraa: Well, I’m particularly concerned about helping her strengthen the muscles in her legs. She’s been so weak since being in the hospital, and at her age, I really don’t want her to fall.

Ayurveda Practitioner (Collins Marley): That’s a very valid concern, and I’m glad you brought it up. Maintaining leg strength is key to reducing the risk of falls and helping her regain independence. One of the most important things we can do is encourage her to move a little more each day. This could start with just sitting up in a chair for a while or taking a few steps with support. Gradually increasing her movement, while paying attention to how she’s feeling, is the safest and most effective approach.

Some gentle exercises can help target those key muscle groups. Sit-to-stands are a great option—they help build strength in the thighs and hips by having her move from a seated position to standing and back again, using support if needed. Heel raises, where she slowly rises onto her toes and lowers back down, help strengthen the calves and improve balance. Hip abduction and flexion—lifting the leg out to the side or forward while seated or standing with support—are also useful. Another simple yet effective one is stepping up onto a low step and back down, which mimics the motion of climbing stairs and builds both strength and coordination.

To help us understand what kind of support she’ll have at home, could you tell me about her living situation? Does she live alone?

Mihiraa: Thank you for asking. Yes, my mother lives with me and my family. That’s why I’m particularly keen to understand how I can best help her stay active once she’s back home. Even though we’re there to support her, I’m still a bit concerned about how much she’ll be able to manage after being in the hospital and feeling weak. So, any advice on how to gently encourage her and adapt activities to her current strength level would be really helpful.

Ayurveda Practitioner (Collins Marley): It’s a real advantage that she’ll be with you and your family. Having that emotional and practical support around her is incredibly helpful. As she starts her recovery, consistent but gentle physical activity will be essential. Regular movement helps improve her strength, balance, and flexibility. It also boosts her confidence and reduces the risk of future falls. Even light activity, done daily, can lead to steady and meaningful improvement.

Appropriate activities could include short, supervised walks around your home or garden. Just having someone nearby can make her feel more secure. As she builds strength, you might consider low-impact options like gentle swimming, aqua aerobics, or even tai chi if she enjoys slower, controlled movement. Water-based activities are especially good because they support her weight while still working her muscles. Chair-based exercises are another good starting point if standing is difficult. These might include leg lifts, ankle rotations, or even light resistance movements with bands.

The important thing is to match the activity to her energy level and interest. If it feels too difficult or tiring, we scale back and progress gradually. Encouragement goes a long way—celebrating small milestones can keep her motivated.

Do you have any other concerns right now or questions about her care at home?

Mihiraa: Yes, I’ll definitely look into those activities and encourage her to try them. I also wanted to ask—should she be using any special equipment or shoes to help with her mobility?

Ayurveda Practitioner (Collins Marley): That’s a really smart question, and yes—footwear does matter quite a bit. In the hospital and at home, she should wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes that offer good support and have non-slip soles. Shoes that enclose the entire foot and have a low, stable heel are ideal. We generally avoid slippers or open-back shoes because they don’t offer enough support and can increase the risk of tripping or slipping.

When she starts walking short distances or doing her exercises, those same shoes will help her feel more stable and secure. If you’re planning to bring a pair in for her to use while she’s still here, make sure they’re easy for her to put on and take off, especially if she has any swelling or limited mobility in her hands.

You’re clearly doing everything you can to support her recovery, and that kind of attention makes a huge difference. If anything else comes up or you’re unsure about anything, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here to make this transition home as smooth and safe as possible.