Physical Therapy

PhysicalÂ therapists help people with physical injuries or illnesses of to regain range of movement and control their pain. They help determine the root causes of the trauma, counsel patients, and work with them to create a plan for rehabilitation.

Speech Therapy

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. Social communication disorders occur when a person has trouble with the social use of verbal and nonverbal communication.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists treat disabled, ill or injured patients with special equipment and the therapeutic use of daily activities. They help patients improve, regain and develop the skills needed for day to day life and work. They may provide long-term patient care and acute patient care.

Physical Therapy

What does a Physical Therapist Do?

Physical Therapists Provide Retraining In the Following Areas:

Pain & Edema Management

Pain and edema can result from injury, inflammation or immobilization (restricted movement) in joints and soft tissue. To reduce pain and edema, the Physical Therapist may use heat or cold treatment, modalities such and ultrasound of electrical stimulation, joint and soft tissue mobilization, compression wrapping, and exercise.

Fall Prevention & Management

A physical therapist can assess your risk of falling and provide education & balance training for fall prevention. Therapists can treat injury after a fall and give you back the confidence to resume your daily life.

Contracture Management

The Physical Therapist may provide range of motion exercise; heat and stretching to maintain movement within functional limits and/or to protect the skin from tearing as well as prevent other problems from developing secondary to decreased mobility.

Range of Motion & Strength

A physical therapist is pivotal to increase and/or maintain present Range of Motion and Strength, to improve circulation, mobility, and flexibility, prevent functional loss and give the resident a sense of improved well being.

Neurological Rehabilitation

A combination of procedures is used to improve movement and coordination after a stroke, head or spinal injury, birth defect or the onset of a neurological disorder.

Ambulation

Some residents may experience ambulation or walking difficulties which can vary from resident to resident. Physical Therapy can assess and also treat residents experiencing difficulties in these areas.

Transfer

Transfer is the ability to move one’s self from one surface to another [i.e. chair to a bed]. A physical therapist may be asked to evaluate & assist the patient with proper & safe transfer to help maximize independence.

Speech Therapy

What does a Speech Pathologist Do?

Speech & Language Pathologists Treat Individuals with any of the following Disorders:

Swallowing Disorders

50% of all long-term residents have difficulty swallowing. This is called Dysphagia & can lead to dehydration, malnutrition and even pneumonia. Individuals may be present without any or all of the following symptoms: loss of the ability to eat, or taking an extensive amount of time period to feed themselves, such as prolonged chewing of food, spitting food out of the mouth, coughing and/or choking on liquids or solids, either during or after the meal; frequent complaints of heartburn or spitting up.

Language Disorders

Language disorders are caused by any type of brain injury or dementia. These individuals may have difficulty finding words, using words incorrectly, or seeming to speak in “nonsense”. They may have difficulty understanding language, and be unable to converse with others or follow directions.

Confusion & Memory Deficits

This is caused by progressive dementia disorders that include Alzheimer’s. Symptoms include a sharp decline in memory and the loss of ability to care for oneself. While such diseases are never curable, therapy at the early stages may extend the period of independence.

Cognitive-Linguistic Deficits

Caused by brain injury or dementia, these individuals are present with a short attention span and impulse behavior. Interaction with others is limited or poor. Often, participation is structured; therapeutic tasks can alleviate many behaviors the nursing staff find disruptive.

Speech Disorders

Speech disorders are caused by strokes, neurological impairments, progressive diseases, and head injuries. Symptoms may include slurred speech, distorted or omitted sounds, & unintelligible speech due to weak musculature and/or nerve damage.

Occupational Therapy

What does an Occupational Therapist Do?

Occupational Therapy can provide these individuals with training, equipment, programs, and recommendations to assist them in reaching their highest level of INDEPENDENCE in the daily tasks of living.

Occupational Therapists can help people who have any of the below problems and/or may experience difficulty in these areas: