Episode 31: Partnering for Strength: Integrating Physiotherapy in Home and Community Care

As of mid-2024, nearly 7.8 million Canadians, about 20% of the population, are aged 65 or older, with that number expected to rise to nearly 25% by 2030. Older adults are disproportionately affected by chronic conditions such as hypertension, osteoarthritis, and diabetes, and face growing mobility challenges. Each year, falls impact between 32% and 42% of Canadians aged 70 and older, making falls the leading cause of injury-related hospitalisation, costing the healthcare system over $5.6 billion annually.

Despite the increasing need, only about 15% of Canadians access physiotherapy services each year.
Canada also falls short compared to other OECD nations, requiring a 62% increase in the number of
physiotherapists to meet international averages. Yet, research clearly shows that physiotherapy improves
strength, balance, and functional ability, while reducing the burden of chronic disease, offering significant benefits for both individuals and health systems.

Tune in to our latest episode of ComForConnections for an engaging, evidence-informed conversation
packed with practical insights and collaborative strategies to help physiotherapy professionals, home care providers, and ageing services leaders support stronger outcomes. Mona Kalra, Registered
Physiotherapist, Co-Founder & Chief Clinical Officer, MapleCare Physiotherapy Clinic, and Linda Meek,
Business Development & Relations Manager – ComForCare Home Care – Ottawa-Champlain, share their
insights on the crucial role of physiotherapy-informed care in supporting Canada’s ageing population.

Click to listen to this episode:

About Our Guests:

Mona Kalra, Registered Physiotherapist, Co-Founder & Chief Clinical Officer, MapleCare Physiotherapy Clinic 

Mona is a highly experienced Physiotherapist with over 30 years of clinical practice in orthopaedic, geriatric, and neurological rehabilitation. In 2011, she co-founded MapleCare Physiotherapy Clinic in the basement of her home with her husband, Sanjiv Kalra. Today, MapleCare has grown to three locations with a team of over 20, recognized for its evidence-based care, advanced rehabilitation technology, and a collaborative, client-centred approach to help people live fuller, more confident lives — delivered both in clinics and through home physiotherapy.

Mona’s clinical passion lies in helping individuals regain movement and independence through the practical application of neuroplasticity, particularly in stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and other neurological conditions. She also focuses on fall prevention, arthritis care, and mobility training to support healthy ageing.

She heads the Clinical NeuroPhysiotherapy Pro Program for clinician development in MapleCare. She mentors physiotherapy students from Canadian and International universities and provides educational talks on fall prevention and ageing well. Mona has also shared her expertise at universities in India, speaking on the role of neuroplasticity in physiotherapy.

Her vision continues to guide MapleCare as a trusted leader in innovative, client-focused rehabilitation across Ottawa and beyond.

Linda Meek, Business Development & Relations Manager, ComForCare Home Care of Ottawa-Champlain

Linda is the Business Development and Relations Manager for ComForCare Home Care – Ottawa-Champlain. She is dedicated to helping families ensure their loved ones are provided with the care and services they deserve in whatever setting they call home. 

Supporting and educating our seniors to navigate our Healthcare system is a strong focus point for Linda. She grew up in a small village in Scotland, where her grandmother taught her the importance of caring for others at a very young age, especially seniors living alone. 

After studying Gerontology, Linda worked in Senior-centric organisations for over 20 years. She has met and befriended many Seniors and their Families in her 17-year journey as Executive Director in various retirement homes in the Ottawa area. Linda has served as a Board Member and Educator for the Ontario Retirement Communities Association, Board Member for the Council on Aging, and various committees. Linda currently serves on the Algonquin College advisory committee.

Show Notes:

• The vital role of physiotherapy-informed care in helping older adults recover from illness or injury, and manage chronic conditions effectively
• Strategies to guide families through complex caregiving decisions and care transitions—while supporting mobility, independence, and quality of life
• How ComForCare Home Care integrates specialised physiotherapy-informed programs into personalised home care plans to support strength, function, and recovery
• Actionable best practices and tools that ageing services professionals can use to implement mobility-driven care approaches in both home and community-based settings
• Resources to help care teams and families promote functional recovery and long-term independence for older adults ageing in place

Episode Resources:

• Manage Your Risk for Falls – ComForCare Canada
• Gaitway: ComForCare’s Comprehensive Approach to Managing Fall Risk – ComForCare Canada
• MapleCare Physiotherapy
• Economic Impact of Physiotherapy in Canada – Canadian Physiotherapy Association
• Surveillance report on falls among older adults in Canada – Canada.ca
• Falls among older adults are a serious public health issue in Canada – NiceNet
• Report: Helping Older Adults Stay Active and Healthy by Walking Outdoors – Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines: An Integration of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep – Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• Innovative Rehab in Ottawa | Balance, Walking & Neurological Recovery – MapleCare Physiotherapy Clinic
• MyHand System Animation Video – MapleCare Physiotherapy Clinic

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Posting Date: Monday, June 9, 2025