Assisted living communities are for seniors who can still function but need assistance in daily activities. Communities provide assistance with daily living activities like dressing and bathing. They also help with tasks essential to life, like cooking, eating, transportation, and medicine management.
Therapy is different for each senior, and good assisted living homes will excel at identifying their residents’ needs and the kind of care and therapy they would benefit from. Receiving therapy is incredibly important for seniors, and families should consider this carefully when choosing a community for their loved ones.
What is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy focuses on large muscle movements. Seniors with poor balance or weak limbs could benefit from physical therapy. Physical therapists help individuals increase muscle tone and endurance and allow them to perform tasks as independently as possible.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy focuses on fine motor skills and hygiene tasks. Individuals with arthritis or a stroke will likely benefit from working with an occupational therapist. An OT can help an individual learn new ways to complete daily tasks. These tasks include but are not limited to eating, bathing, and going to the bathroom. An OT specializes in problem-solving and finding adaptive equipment to help seniors in their everyday life.
Importance of Therapy
A therapist can help seniors adapt to their new lifestyle by helping with compensation techniques in a senior living community. They often suggest ways to transition from independent life to one that requires assistance for daily tasks. Most importantly, therapists can identify the underlying cause of behaviors in patients. Many doctors are able to prescribe therapy after a senior’s environment changes, such as with a move to assisted living.
Occupational therapy can help seniors adjust to assisted living. Speech therapy can help individuals having difficulty swallowing or coughing during meals. Physical therapy may help people who have trouble balancing or feel unsteady walking or completing tasks while standing. During therapy, a therapist can measure, quantify, and identify the causes of changes in their life.
Benefits of Therapy for Individuals Declining in Lifestyle
Often, people move into assisted living communities because their health is declining in their independent living environment. When living in an assisted care community, on-site therapists can notice changes in seniors and teach the staff to recognize further declines in functioning. Caregivers, housekeeping staff, and dietary workers often recognize changes in health before others. With proper training by the therapy department in the community, staff and families can proactively address any noticeable declines.
Therapy Improves Wellness for All Residents
Therapy can be beneficial for the sick and debilitated and also is beneficial for all residents of assisted living communities. Although nearly 80% of individuals require some therapy, therapists can offer solutions for better wellness for all residents. Resident wellness leads to increased satisfaction in a community.
Assistance for Memory-Impaired Individuals
People with Alzheimer’s or other memory impairments can suffer from dramatic mood swings. A sweet, older woman can become moody, belligerent, and rowdy on a bad day. Therapy can help address these needs. Therapy can help clear the frustration by compensating for the loss of understanding and memory. Therapists can focus on maximizing the abilities that individuals still have.
Recovering from Surgery or Illness
It may seem that resting is the most effective technique to recover after an accident or surgery. However, rest accompanied by good physical therapy is even more effective. Residents recover more quickly with a physical therapist or occupational therapist’s assistance.
Keep Residents Mobile and Engaged
Seniors who do not move around well may find themself isolated and lonely. Physical therapy can enhance an individual’s function, allowing them to participate in more activities. Physical or occupational therapy may make their lives easier by teaching them how to move around more freely and safely. Increasing their range of motion and easing their discomfort will encourage them to get out and about more. They are more likely to engage in social activities and planned events if they feel confident about their mobility.
Reduced Risk of Health Problems
Physical and occupational therapy may lessen the chances of a resident having health issues. Seniors are less likely to have joint discomfort, pressure ulcers, and pneumonia if they maintain mobility and good health. People who receive PT and OT services can keep their independence as long as possible, which vastly benefits their health.
Cypress Court is located in beautiful North County San Diego, close to entertainment, shopping, and many conveniences. Our beautiful landscaping and friendly staff and residents make us a caring community to be a part of. At Cypress Court, we offer both independent and assisted living, with therapy services provided as necessary.