You’re not sure when it happened but it’s harder to get around than it used to be.
Do curbs and gravel cause your pulse to race?
Someone suggested you use a cane, but you’re not sure you need that.
Do you trace the back of the couch or reach for walls when walking?
You had physical therapy in the past but it didn’t seem to help that much.
Do the exercises you were given even relate to what you aren’t able to do?
If any of these statements hit home, you’re not alone; they are all concerns our clients have shared with us.
I’m Colleen Gilroy, Physical Therapist and my passion is helping older adults feel confident about their independence and mobility.
Hi, I’m Colleen Gilroy
I have worked for almost 20 years with patients immediately following hospitalization due to illness, weakness or a fall. But aging does not have to mean becoming weaker and less active.
At Vitality PT NW we believe in prehabilitation and work with people to avoid the need for rehabilitation.
Unfortunately, we haven’t reached everyone yet, and 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 still fall annually.
Whether they have fallen or not, we work one on one with our clients to improve their lives through strength, balance, coordination and fitness training.
We listen to our clients to discover what they want to be able to do then create a custom plan to achieve it.
75% of falls occur in or around the home.
If you are having trouble getting up your stairs at home, where better to practice with a skilled clinician than on those stairs? We can eliminate many common household hazards and educate our clients on how to minimize others.
We teach our clients that staying mobile and active doesn’t have to mean going to a gym or clinic, it can happen right at home.
We can talk about any limitations, concerns, or questions you might have, and determine if we are the right partner to help YOU live the life you want to be living.
And in case you are curious what I do when I am not working with the greatest generation:
I’m a Midwest girl, educated on the East Coast, who met her husband while studying in Germany, then moved to his hometown for graduate school and to raise our five children.
I love to ski and hike on Mount Hood. I usually love early morning runs with our yellow lab, Piper. I enjoy reading by the ocean more than swimming in it (Lake Michigan does not have creatures that bite.) I am a tea drinker in a town that loves its coffee, and still prefer Pabst Blue Ribbon over craft beers.
And if you’re still interested, my Curriculum Vitae reads like this:
Colleen Gilroy received dual Bachelor of Arts degrees, cum laude, in Economics and German Literature from College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA in 1993 ready to become the first female CEO of IBM. After completing a year of service working with AIDS patients in Baltimore, MD, she felt inspired to completely change her life course.
She earned her Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy from Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR in 1998 having presented her thesis Balance in the 65-74, 75-84, 85 and over Age Groups.
I began my career at the Portland VA Medical Center and since 2001 have worked in skilled rehab with primarily geriatric patients.
I recognized the barriers to receiving physical therapy after discharging to home that many of my patients face and founded Vitality PT NW as a result.
I am a Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery (PWR!) and Otago Exercise Program certified PT, a volunteer at OHSU for their community based Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program, a substitute driver for Meals on Wheels, and a frequent school mom volunteer.
Ready to live your best life?
Together we can keep you moving and on your feet. Call 971-236-1634 or email us to set up a free 20 minute discovery visit.
