Bringing Care Home: How Direct Home Therapy and Griswold Enable Senior Independence

Direct Home Therapy is a family-owned business in Manhattan that brings top-quality physical and occupational therapy right to clients’ homes. Founded in 2019 by husband-and-wife Occupational Therapists Alyson and Jack Dumsa, the company was born from their firsthand experience seeing gaps in post-hospital care. They saw patients struggling to adjust after discharge and knew they could make a difference.

Joined by Physical Therapist Christine Conklin, the team has since helped hundreds of older adults regain mobility, confidence, and independence. Their approach prioritizes personalized, one-on-one care, ensuring therapy fits seamlessly into each client’s home and lifestyle.

Direct Home Therapy Services:

• Physical Therapy: Mobility, balance, fall prevention, chronic pain management, strengthening, endurance training, home safety evaluations, and more.
• Occupational Therapy: Daily living skills, energy conservation, coordination, postural stability, cognitive strategies, a  nd home-exercise programs.

As Alyson explains, “PT focuses on mobility and exercise, while OT helps people maximize independence in daily tasks. Together, they ensure our clients live safer, healthier lives.”

How This Pairs with Griswold Care Pairing for Manhattan

Direct Home Therapy’s services go hand in hand with what Griswold Care Pairing for Manhattan offers. Griswold connects clients with compassionate caregivers who assist with personal care, companionship, and household tasks, while Direct Home Therapy provides the skilled rehab services needed to improve mobility, safety, and physical well-being.

For those already receiving caregiver assistance through Griswold, adding in Direct Home Therapy’s physical and occupational therapy helps maximize independence and improve overall quality of life. The combination of these services means clients get both the medical and non-medical support they need to stay safe, active, and comfortable in their homes.

Recognizing the Need for Therapy

Many people don’t realize they need therapy until a major event, such as a fall or hospitalization, occurs. “Unfortunately, we are most frequently getting a referral or a phone call when it is too late,” Alyson shares. “The biggest indicator of needing therapy is an interruption in one’s daily routine. Maybe you notice that a loved one is leaving the house less, or their walking seems unsteady. Or maybe you are noticing that getting out of a chair or into the bathtub is harder than it once was. Therapy is meant to be restorative but also preventative. We want to be able to identify warning signs early so that we can prevent an accident or illness from happening.”

Benefits of OT and PT for Seniors

For seniors with limited mobility, therapy can be life-changing. “OT and PT can unlock one’s true potential,” Alyson says. “Many people are limited due to pain, fear, or they simply need some extra motivation to get moving again. Our job is to identify barriers to one’s independence. Maybe a client needs an equipment assessment in which we are recommending a safer and less restrictive mobility device. Sometimes we adapt the home environment to facilitate more independence or implement specific exercises for gait and mobility that are focused on a client’s areas of strength while addressing impairments.”

For active seniors looking to maintain fitness, Alyson recommends staying engaged: “Stay connected with your community. If someone is generally healthy, it is important to find a routine that works for you. Whether it is a home-exercise program, going for a walk, or getting your own groceries, it is important to keep utilizing your body and brain.”

By combining Direct Home Therapy’s expert rehabilitation with Griswold’s compassionate care, seniors receive the best of both worlds: skilled therapy and daily support, all in the comfort of home.