
Straight Answers To The Questions Families Actually Ask
From preventing falls to finding senior services to choosing equipment, get practical answers to the questions that matter most.
- Leg Strength & Independence
- Balance & Mobility
- Medicare & Rehab
- Family Questions
- Stories & Conditions
- More To Explore
Leg Strength & Independence
- Leg Strength & Independence
Leg Strength And Independence: What Older Adults Need To Know
Leg strength is the foundation of independence.
- Leg Strength & Independence
Walking Doesn't Keep You Walking: Why Leg Strength Matters As We Age
That may sound contradictory. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise for older adults - especially for heart health.
- Click here for more information: all Leg Strength & Independence articles
Balance & Mobility
- Balance & Mobility
Walker Myths: When Walkers Help - And When They May Delay Recovery
Walkers are valuable mobility aids following surgery, injury, illness, or periods of significant weakness.
- Balance & Mobility
Fear Of Falling In Older Adults: How It Increases Fall Risk
Many older adults hear, “Be careful. Don’t fall.
- Click here for more information: all Balance & Mobility articles
Medicare & Rehab
- Medicare & Rehab
Medicare Physical Therapy Ended. What Happens Now?
One of the questions families ask us most often is:
- Medicare & Rehab
What Does "Plateau" Really Mean In Physical Therapy?
If you've spent time in physical therapy with your parent, you've probably heard the word before:
- Click here for more information: all Medicare & Rehab articles
Family Questions
- Family Questions
Why Some Older Adults Stay Strong For Years While Others Decline
Why do some older adults stay strong and independent while others gradually become weaker? Age is only part of the story.
- Family Questions
Why Does Medicare Physical Therapy End When My Parent Still Needs Help Walking?
WHAT IF WE HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT AGING ALL WRONG?
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Stories & Conditions
- Stories & Conditions
Dr. Ben: From “I Can't” To “What's Next?”
Dr. Ben had always been an active man. He loved playing racquetball, golfing, attending sporting events, and spending hours working in his garden.
- Stories & Conditions
A Story Of Hope And Progress With Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s is often talked about in terms of what may be lost over time, but Tim’s story is also one of what can be regained.
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More To Explore
- More To Explore
Physical Therapist Vs. Personal Trainer: Which One Is Right For You?
If you’re looking to improve your health, recover from an injury, or stay active as you age, you may be wondering whether you should work with a physical therapist or a personal trainer.
- Click here for more information: all More To Explore articles
Questions Families Ask
My parent finished Medicare therapy. What happens now?
When Medicare therapy ends, your parent can still keep working on strength, balance, and everyday function.
Tandem Strength & Balance provides ongoing exercise with a physical therapist in your parent's home. There's no insurance timeline telling you when to stop. Your family decides how long your parent wants to continue.
If getting stronger can help your mom or dad keep doing more of what matters to them, TandemSB is there to keep going.
Is it actually possible to get stronger at 80 or 90?
Yes. And we believe it's not just possible, it's essential.
Getting older doesn't mean your parent has to stop building strength. Older adults can continue to build muscle and improve leg strength well into their 80s and 90s.
Why does that matter? Because strong legs are the foundation for safe, independent mobility: getting out of a chair, climbing stairs, getting in and out of the car, and moving around the house.
Illness or a hospital stay can take strength away quickly. The more strength your parent has built, the more they have to draw from when life gets harder.
At TandemSB, we don't believe in simply maintaining what someone can do today. We believe in continuing to build strength so they can keep doing what matters tomorrow.
What happens at the first visit?
The first visit is a free, in-home consultation with Nicole, TandemSB's owner and a physical therapist.
Nicole comes to your parent's home, sees how they move in the place they live every day, and listens to what has become harder.
She'll tell you honestly whether she thinks TandemSB can help. If it's a fit, she explains how the program works and what it costs.
You decide whether to continue. There's no insurance authorization, no set number of visits, and no long-term commitment.
Do you come to the house, or do we travel to a clinic?
TandemSB comes to you. We exercise where your parent lives, whether that's a house, apartment, or assisted living community.
There's something different about exercising in a familiar environment. Your parent knows the space, feels more comfortable, and can build confidence as they get stronger and move more safely.
TandemSB serves all seven Twin Cities metro counties: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington.
My mother will exercise with a therapist but not with family. Is that normal?
Yes. We hear this from families all the time.
Exercise can be different when it comes from a physical therapist rather than a son or daughter. A therapist knows when to encourage, when to challenge, and when to give someone a little extra support. There's also a different dynamic when the person helping isn't part of the family.
It's not unusual for a parent who resists exercise with their family to work hard and stay engaged with their TandemSB therapist.
Sometimes, having someone outside the family makes all the difference. Your role can stay what it should be: being their daughter or son, not their exercise coach.
Does using a walker mean my parent will always need one?
Not necessarily. Using a walker today doesn't mean your parent will always need one.
A walker can provide important support and safety while someone is weak or unsteady. At the same time, we want to understand why they need it and whether their strength and balance can improve.
With progressive leg-strength and balance exercise, older adults can become stronger, steadier, and more confident, and may eventually need less support.
A walker can be part of where someone is today. It doesn't have to define where they're going.

Let's Talk About What Your Family Is Facing
A free in-home consultation with Nicole, TandemSB's owner and a physical therapist. She'll see how your parent is doing, listen to what's become harder, and tell you honestly if TandemSB can help.
No pressure. Just an honest conversation about what comes next.
Prefer to talk now? Call (952) 746-3222
Monday to Friday 7:30- 4pm











