How Onsite Therapy Benefits Assisted Living Communities

Senior adults who are still somewhat independent, but may need help with day to day activities, can see great benefits by joining an assisted living community. These communities are designed specifically for seniors who still want to live as independently as possible, with the added assurance that help is always nearby. The two most common types of assistance available in an assisted living community are:

• Assistance with activities of daily living (known as ADLs), such as housekeeping, bathing and getting dressed.
• Assistance with the instrumental activities of daily living (known as IADLs), such as medication management, preparing meals, transportation, mobility, and eating and drinking.

When considering all of the benefits that can be found in an assisted living community, therapy may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Therapy is an important aspect of assisted living because it helps residents address any challenges they may face, including physical and emotional needs. Licensed, professional therapists identify and categorize the specific levels of therapy and care an individual needs.

Addressing the needs of the community with onsite therapy.

The transition from an independent lifestyle to one that requires more assistance is not always easy. Onsite talk therapy helps individuals deal with the stress associated with this transition by offering advice, suggestions, support and techniques for transitioning to a life that requires more help from others.

The needs of residents in an assisted living community will change as they continue to age. Onsite therapy is intended to help them adjust to lifestyle changes as they occur. This could be in the form of speech therapy for those who are having trouble speaking as the result of a stroke, or an individual who is having trouble swallowing when eating or drinking. It may be occupational therapy for individuals who need assistance with ADLs and IADLs. It could also be physical therapy for those with balance or mobility issues. An onsite licensed therapist is able to identify, measure, and quantify any changes as they occur.

Onsite therapy can be beneficial for those suffering a decline in health.

Often, as we age, we experience a decline in our health. This is no different for senior adults who reside in an assisted living community. Although care staff are more likely to notice any changes in the daily health of their residents, they may not always be immediately aware that these issues are occurring. Therapists have the necessary training and experience to recognize the signs of health decline in residents quicker, and will teach staff members how to recognize any decline in physical function and cognition. The care staff and family members of the individual are then equipped with the proper tools to proactively address health decline in order to maintain and/or regain optimal health.

Therapy promotes overall wellbeing.There’s so much more to onsite therapy than just treating the sick or debilitated. It offers great wellness benefits to the community as a whole. There are approximately 1 million individuals living in assisted living communities, with an estimated 81% requiring some type of therapy to address issues with at least one daily task. With the majority of these communities having residents with this need, it is the job of the therapist to find solutions that increase wellness benefits for all residents.

Onsite therapy promotes a community that is focused on being a healthy, viable option for anyone considering assisted living in the future.

Conclusion

Assisted living communities are a great choice for an aging population because they not only offer assistance with the activities of daily living, but also because they strive to meet the social, emotional, mental, and physical needs of seniors as well. Therapy – whether it is occupational, speech, physical, or Talk Therapy – works to meet the needs of residents as they adapt to a new way of life.

Terrace Ridge offers a discerning residential environment for those who, for whatever reason, should not live alone, but do not require skilled nursing care. Here, residents can live as independently as they wish, with the calm assurance that help is always available, should they require assistance with their activities of daily living. Residents may range from being very independent to being physically and/or memory challenged. Schedule a tour today.