As we get older, there are several services that can aid us in areas that we struggle. For those providing senior care to an elderly loved one, you may be considering different types of rehabilitation. Understanding the difference between physical, occupational, and speech therapy can help you make well-informed decisions.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy (PT) services are available in various environments, such as a nursing home, hospital, rehabilitation center, adult medical day care, outpatient clinic, or at home.
Physical therapy focuses on enhancing a person’s ability to function and mobility by improving their balance, strength, endurance, posture, and flexibility. Injury to various parts of a person’s body such as joints, muscles, bones, or nerves are treated to maximize a person’s ability to get around in their home and community.
Senior care servicesshould consider a physical therapist for an elder who needs help treating pain, poor muscle strength, difficulty walking, poor endurance, and balance issues. They can also devise a therapeutic program that can be done at home to retain their strength.
Speech Therapy
Speech-language pathology (SLP) deals with increasing a person’s ability to communicate and to swallow. These two functions are critical to a good overall quality of life. Communication is not only necessary to convey wants and needs, but to socialize and form connections with others.
Senior care should consider speech-language pathology for a loved one who suffers from a stroke, brain injury, cancer, physical abnormality, infection, or breathing problems as a result of other health conditions.
Speech therapists focus on using cognitive-linguistic impairment treatment to help restore memory, problem solving, attention, sequencing, and safety awareness. They can also help those who are having trouble speaking, using expressive language, or articulating words. Specific exercises may be given to strengthen muscles in the face, throat, and mouth.
SLP is plays a crucial role in treating dysphagia which is a swallowing disorder. If not treated, dysphagia can lead to lung problems and pneumonia.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy (OT) helps a person be able to function independently in their everyday life. Treatment focuses on activities such as bathing, getting dressed, toileting, and grooming.
Treatment can include stretching and strengthening exercises that focus on posture and use of the arms. It involves learning how to use adaptive equipment that will best allow you to perform every day activities.
Senior care can learn more about these services and receive referrals from their loved one’s physician. Now that you know a little bit more about these rehabilitation services, consider the needs of your loved one and if any of these services would be beneficial to them.
For more information about how the caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents remain living independently in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are an elder agency providing quality and affordable senior care in Pacific Beach CA, and the surrounding communities.
Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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