Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy at a Glance
Therapy plays a crucial role in helping individuals regain, develop, or enhance skills necessary for daily living and overall well-being. Whether recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or striving to improve functional abilities, therapy can be a life-changing resource.
Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy each offer specialized approaches to address distinct needs, helping people improve movement, independence, communication, and more.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is a type of therapy that helps people of all ages improve everyday skills so they can complete daily tasks and live a better life.
This type of therapy can help people who are recovering from an injury or illness, managing a long-term condition, or just want to become better at doing things in their daily life. There are different methods and strategies used based on each person’s specific needs, all of which are aimed at achieving more independence.
Occupational therapy plays a vital role in many settings, from schools to local clinics to hospitals, however, it is especially important in skilled nursing facilities. As people age, they may need more help doing things they used to do on their own, so in this environment, it is common for residents to need assistance with their ADLs, Activities of Daily Living. Occupational therapists help them regain and maintain their independence with these day-to-day skills.
Residents may be coming in after a surgery, they may be experiencing cognitive decline, or they may just need to strengthen their functional skills. In either situation, the OT will assess the resident’s needs and develop a treatment plan best suited for their abilities. With these personalized exercises and activities, the OT helps residents improve their mobility, strength, and coordination, and encourages reengagement in social and leisure activities.
If you would like to learn more about Occupational Therapy, read our full resource article, linked here.
What is Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapy is a form of rehabilitation that aims to help people of all ages reduce pain, regain their physical functionality, and improve their overall quality of life. This therapy highlights the use of exercise and movement as a means of improving someone’s physical ability and wellness. This type of therapy is an important part of the recovery process for injuries, illnesses, or other ailments.
Physical therapy is a key component in the healthcare journey for many residents in skilled nursing facilities. This type of rehab supports those who are recovering from surgeries, injuries, or managing chronic conditions.
In this environment, the therapy team will work closely with residents to create individualized treatment plans, depending on their specific needs and challenges. The strategies and exercises used will also depend on what the resident’s goals are.
For instance, if a resident is at the facility for a short-term stay with the goal of returning home, the therapy will often be more injury specific, and outcome based. If a resident is staying long-term, their care plan will be more of a continuous process that provides tools to ease discomfort and manage chronic pain.
The ultimate goal is to ensure residents have all the tools and support they need to live comfortably and safely, while also maintaining their independence.
If you would like to learn more about Physical Therapy, read our full resource article, linked here.
What is Speech Therapy?
Speech Therapy, also known as speech language pathology, is a form of rehabilitation that aims to improve communication, cognitive ability, and memory for people of all ages. This type of therapy goes beyond just speech improvement- it also involves the brain and muscle groups used for tasks such as reading, writing, swallowing, eating, memory recollection, and more.
This type of therapy can be beneficial for those looking to improve communication and fluency, and, along with physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy also plays a key role in helping patients regain their independence.
Speech therapy plays an important role in the care provided in skilled nursing facilities. It can support residents recovering from strokes, brain injuries, surgeries, or those managing chronic conditions affecting their speech, language, or swallowing abilities.
In skilled nursing facilities, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work closely with residents to develop treatment plans based on their unique needs and therapy goals. For residents aiming to return home, therapy might focus on regaining specific communication or swallowing functions. For long-term residents, the focus may be on maintaining current abilities and preventing further decline. The goal is to ensure residents have the tools and support needed to communicate effectively, live comfortably, and maintain their quality of life.
If you would like to learn more about Speech Therapy, read our full resource article, linked here.
CSNHC’s Partnership with QRM
Creative Solutions in Healthcare is committed to providing the best quality of care, and we do this with our in-house therapy team and with our partnership with QRM, an organization that aims to improve patient outcomes and provide the needed support to skilled nursing facilities.
Support, Education, and Resources
QRM’s top priority is aiding and advocating for our entire rehab team. QRM’s team provides on-site regional support, ensuring our therapists have all they need to be successful. They follow through with this support by providing weekly operational calls, facility visits, and regular training from clinical specialists. This allows our therapists to stay up to date with any advancements or necessary information.
QRM also plays a big role in creating a positive therapy environment. They are big supporters of highlighting resident success, and they encourage our facilities to celebrate therapy milestones and achievements among residents.
How Do I Find an OT, PT, or ST near me?
Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy can play an important role in you or your loved one’s journey. Whether it be for daily support in a long-term care setting, or for help reaching specific recovery goals, our therapy teams are dedicated to improving all aspects of a resident’s wellbeing.
If you or a loved one is in need of Occupational, Physical, or Speech Therapy, click here to locate a facility providing speech therapy near you.
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