Mom refuses to do exercises twice a day as advised by home health PT. How can I motivate her?

Talk to her in the way of timelines - in Sept you could walk alone, in October you had to use a walker all the time and then therapy. It's ok to use the walker if it keeps you steady on your feet, but if you don't keep up your arm and leg strength, your body will weaken to the point you can't get up and down. I don't think you want to end up in a bed looking at the ceiling all day.

The thing about knees, as explained to me about arthritis, when you don't move that joint (or others) through out the day, it's similar to having glue on your joint and the next time you bend it, you are breaking the glue loose. Offer Tylenol (acetaminophen) in the AM and PM to help with some of the pain and tell her while sitting, just lift your legs up and down from the floor to keep the joint bending throughout the day. A water bottle lifted up and down from the elbow joint keeps that one moving.

Let her know that it's her decision on how her life plays out, but you'd prefer for it to be with her being able to get around as long as she can. Then stop the conversation and let her think about it.

You might want to buy a tens unit - Walmart or drug stores carry them. Adjustable electrical pulses seem to ease the pain. Ask dr for lidocaine patches - you wear them 12 hrs and off for 12 hrs. These helped my parent a lot. Also, before exercising there is a cream at drug stores called arnica that helps as well as a spray called Biofreeze - check the can - you want the one with 10% menthol. Some have much less.

If she watches a lot of TV, tell her she can be reminded if she does a little something each time a commercial comes on.

Another way to get it done, don't tell dr she refuses to do them, but do ask him if she could get it twice a week for legs (Phys therapy) and when that is no longer approved by Medicare to order OT (occupational therapy/upper body) in order to keep some kind of exercises going longer. Some drs try to order them both at same time, but then the approval gets used up at the same time. Leaves you with nothing for a couple of months until dr can start it again. If you can't get more days via Medicare/home health, then (if financially able), hire someone to come 1 or 2 other days per week and work with her doing same exercises that your PT person does with her. You may be able to call a college where they train phys therapists and ask if they have a student who needs the work credits. Mom doesn't have to know this person and the home health person don't come from the same place, Just tell her dr concerned that she is about the same and he thought more in home work with her would help...he wasn't sure she was doing enough on her own when PT folks weren't there. Yes, a little white lie, but for your sanity and keeping her moving it's worth it.

What are the exercises?

My 83yo Mother, is the same way. Lots of gripes of pain before, but the P.T. was able to come twice before she told him to get out. From the beginning she refused to do the movements required between visits. She has dementia and doesn't want to be compliant. In after thought I think it's more about her retaining any amount of control she can. She doesn't like to be touched, so any assistance was counter productive as well. I'm trying to encourage movement through regular activities (pointing her toes, raising her arms to stretch, deep breaths, etc.) & and not intentional ones that irritated her. If I can get her to do them once or twice a day with an encouraging mindset. She is usually not compliant, and says she doesn't care. She has little understanding of what she needs, but I don't consider making her do them an option.
I've observed any movement is better than none, For her, there are bigger battles to be fought.
I found this link helpful, good luck!

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/chair-exercises-and-limited-mobility-fitness.htm

Just do the best you can. Find low impact movements and her daily life that can be increased.

Play kid games with her in the sense that for instance putting your feet in her feet together as you’re sitting down and pedal a bike together. That way you’re helping her do her exercises.

try using Voltaren to ease arthritic pain or the offbrand. You can find them in the OTC pharmacy and check with her doctor first. I’m not advertising either it just work for someone I know. Good luck.

What are the exercises?
If it is something you can and want to do with her would that help?
Going for a walk either outside or through a store.
YOU can not motivate anyone to do anything that they do not want to do. (if that were the case no one would be over weight or lacking exercises themselves)
Do what you can
What she choses to do is on her.
When it is more difficult for her to get around and she has to stay home rather than go out then she might be motivated if it is not to late.
If there are places she wants to go but can't due to mobility problems you could remind her of that it might motivate her but probably won't

Find out why she is not doing them. Should she be screened for depression?

Encourage walks…My mom hates Pt but will walk 5 laps daily around the assisted living. When I visit we take walks. Walking in its self is a great exercise. I tell mom about my walking on the treadmill daily for strength. Encouragement is the motivator.. I have also told her losing the ability to walk will change where she can live.

Tell her if she does not do the exercises she will become bedridden and will be using the bathroom in the bed. It's the truth. Mobility is a very precious thing. It does not take long to become bedridden.