Texas senior citizens are often hearty and active well into old age. However, even the healthiest can develop issues that could make living alone difficult or even dangerous. Fortunately, the state is home to exceptional senior living communities designed to help residents live their best lives. In addition to planned recreational activities that enhance residents’ experiences and keep them engaged, communities ensure seniors have access to various therapies. When seniors or their families are comparing assisted living communities, it’s crucial to ensure they can provide any needed therapy.
Why Access to Therapy Matters?
Moving into a community can be a big step for older adults. It’s wise to ensure they get all the assistance they need before making the transition; therapy can help. Communities such as River Point of Kerrville provide occupational and physical therapy groups. Doctors can prescribe OT/PT any time a senior changes their environment.
Various therapies can be used to identify and treat underlying issues that impact the quality of community residents’ lives. Therapists address individual challenges and help seniors feel more comfortable in a community setting. For example, professionals offer tips that make it easier to change from independent living to life in a community.
Physical therapy or occupational therapy can make it easier for seniors to handle everyday tasks or those with balance issues. Because therapists work one-on-one with residents, they have a chance to evaluate, measure, and treat individual problems.
Dementia and Therapy
While therapy is generally associated with physical changes, it can also significantly affect residents’ mental and emotional health. That is why Texas seniors in the earliest stages of dementia often move to communities offering memory care. Residents who are healthy when they move in can also begin to decline as they age.
On-site therapists note physical and cognitive changes and alert other staff members. That allows caregivers and family members to make adjustments that ensure seniors maintain an optimal quality of life.
Therapy is also essential for the well-being of the entire senior living community. Studies show that 81% of residents need help with at least one daily activity, and therapists find solutions that offer individual assistance and ensure a healthier community.
As more senior communities are developed, the competition to provide desired services increases. As a result, more are offering access to therapies that help create a healthy, vibrant environment. Even if residents don’t need therapy when they first move in, most will need the help at some point, so it’s a good idea to evaluate therapy options.
Physical Therapy Benefits
It is becoming more common for retirement communities to offer physical therapy (PT) access. Treatment can often restore functionality, help with balance, and help seniors manage long-standing problems. Some communities provide individual or group therapy that helps residents remain as vigorous and independent as possible.
Easy access to therapists can speed recovery when residents have been sick or injured. Per industry experts at PT & Me, physical therapy can help after surgery, too. Therapists evaluate each resident and create strategies to help them reach their goals. While communities are designed for ease of use, resolving balance and other physical issues makes it easier for residents to enjoy independence in their assisted living homes.
Occupational Therapy Benefits
Communities may offer occupational therapy (OT) focusing on fine motor movements. Residents who have had strokes or are dealing with arthritis benefit from OT. HTS therapy specialists say that occupational therapy can help seniors perform activities of daily living independently.
Therapists are good at finding creative ways to help seniors learn new ways to complete tasks. OT specialists can find adaptive equipment that helps older adults become more independent, improving their self-esteem.
Language and Speech Therapy Benefits
Issues such as strokes or dementia can impact speech, so senior communities must ensure residents have ready access to speech therapy when needed. Speech and language professionals also specialize in other mouth-related issues.
They can help those with swallowing or chewing problems. Speech therapists assist residents with short-term memory loss to overcome language deficits, judgment concerns, and various cognitive issues associated with stroke and dementia.
Respiratory Therapy Benefits
When community residents need help with breathing problems, their doctors may prescribe respiratory therapy. It’s a common problem since older adults’ colds can quickly become pneumonia. Therapists may use various techniques that include massage or tapping. The treatments loosen mucous to ease breathing.
Anyone searching for senior living communities would be wise to choose one that provides easy access to various therapies. Seniors enjoy a better quality of life when getting physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapies is easy.
Riverpoint of Kerrville is a full-service community offering memory care and assisted living. Residents enjoy a full schedule of recreational activities and easy access to various therapies. The friendly staff’s goal is to ensure that each resident leads a fulfilling and meaningful life.
