A Close Look at Senior Rehabilitation

Are you looking for the right care provider for your parent or other aging loved one? While most of us are familiar with the basic concept of rehabilitation, it can be difficult to know exactly what kind of care your loved one needs – and where you can find it. If someone in your life needs a safe and effective way to recover after a surgery, acute illness, stroke or other common health issue, senior rehabilitation therapy could be the solution.

It’ll be easier to help out your loved one when you understand the types and benefits of senior rehabilitation therapy – including the ways it can restore functionality and help your loved one recover from an injury or illness.

The Basics of Rehabilitative Therapy

If you’ve ever had a sport-related injury or needed post-surgical care, you’re probably somewhat familiar with rehabilitation – but there are a lot of senior-focused therapies and care offerings to learn about. For all of the three core types of rehabilitation therapy – physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy – the goal is to restore lost functionality, reduce the risk to long-term health, and get your loved one back to their life as fast as possible.

Physical therapy is focused on strengthening the body, improving flexibility and allowing the affected part of the body to bounce back. It’s most commonly employed after a surgery or to aid recovery after a serious injury. For seniors, you’ll often see it used to help them adapt to a hip replacement or to get moving again after a fall. Physical therapists design strength training regimens and exercise programs to restore range of motion.

Speech therapy for seniors is often employed for post-stroke rehabilitation and helps affected seniors rebuild the brain pathways that control speech – but it can be used to treat any neurodegenerative disorder affecting speech, swallowing or other related health issues.

It’s important to remember that different therapies are frequently used in combination with one another. For post-stroke or post-surgical recovery, a senior may need physical therapy, speech therapy and the last type we’ll examine today – occupational therapy. What is occupational therapy? It can mean a lot of things – but in this context, occupational therapy is all about finding ways to help seniors safely navigate their daily lives, adapt to health challenges and remain independent.

5 Things to Consider Before You Decide

Now that you’ve learned a little more about the kinds of rehabilitative therapies found in most care centers, you’re ready to start evaluating specific senior living communities, rehabilitation centers or skilled nursing facilities. Here are a few tips and important things to think about as you explore the best options for the senior in your life:

1. See it firsthand.

   Looking around for reviews and data about a particular community or skilled nursing facility on the internet prior to your visit serves a lot of useful purposes. If nothing else, you’ll have a better idea of what factors matter most when choosing the right option for your loved one. But it’s no replacement for laying your own eyes on the community, talking to the caregivers and forming your own opinion.

2. Find out what they focus on.

   Care offerings on a pricing sheet don’t always tell the whole story. Some places are more suited to post-surgical recovery, some focus more on long-term skilled nursing, and others offer a good mix of all the options. Also consider whether the community you’re looking at is a stand-alone rehabilitation facility or part of a larger community offering multiple levels of care.

3. Consider the conditions.

   Think about how it would actually be to live in a room there for days or weeks. Are the surroundings comfortable? What about the amenities? Some communities offer more creature comforts and amenities designed to make your or your loved one’s stay a little easier. For example, offering consistent daily dining and a barbershop or salon allows seniors to stay on-site and focus on recovery.

4. Keep an eye on privacy.

   How do seniors in the community live? Are they in private apartments, semi-private suites or fully shared rooms? There isn’t necessarily a best option – the right one for you or your loved one depends on the particular clinical requirements and level of attention you require.

5. Use your common sense.

   When there are so many options, your gut can be your best guide in deciding what is best for you or your loved one. After you’ve visited the care providers in your area, take the time to speak with your loved ones and reflect on your feelings. Ultimately, if it doesn’t feel right to you, trust yourself.

Our Care Center is Here to Help

You’re well on your way to understanding the ins and outs of rehabilitation for seniors – but you’re sure to have more questions. At Highland Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, we’re ready to help you find the answers you need. Even if your loved one doesn’t receive care through our community, we want to be a resource you can rely on.

Located conveniently near you, Highland Rehabilitation is a consistent care partner to seniors and their families. We stand ready to support you and your loved ones through any upcoming surgical procedures, injury recovery or other health concerns. To get more information, please contact us. Our team is always here to help.