Arizona is a well-established destination for retirees. With the state’s warm weather throughout the year and the availability of health care, seniors feel confident they’ll be comfortable and have access to any medical services they need to remain healthy.
While many retirees choose to live in single-family detached homes, others welcome the benefits provided by choosing to live in assisted living communities. Residents of senior living communities enjoy relaxing lifestyles filled with many opportunities to engage with other residents.
When health issues arise, assisted living community residents often find they need some type of therapy to recover fully. That’s why those communities work with healthcare professionals to ensure residents have easy access to the therapy required to keep them active and healthy. Here are just a few types of therapy and how they help residents recover from accidents or illnesses.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy focuses on helping residents restore large muscle movement. Residents commonly require some level of physical therapy after suffering injuries or while they’re recovering from surgeries. Exercises are designed to restore strength to targeted muscles and improve residents’ range of motion.
A good example is helping a resident recover from knee replacement surgery. Physical therapy will begin almost immediately after the surgery, as their range of motion will suffer if proper exercises aren’t completed. Therapists visit seniors in assisted living homes to help them with appropriate exercises. Once a resident reaches a predetermined level of improvement, the therapy sessions may be moved to a fully equipped rehab center.
Occupational Therapy
This type of therapy assists residents with different physical, cognitive, and sensory issues. The idea is to help residents regain independence and restore their ability to take part in a variety of daily activities.
One of the threats facing assisted living community residents is strokes. During the recovery process, residents may need to relearn how to dress themselves, take care of their basic hygiene needs, cook, and drive. Occupational therapy sessions may be in-home or in a clinic setting, depending on an individual’s needs.
Respiratory Therapy
Breathing issues are common among residents, and anyone suffering from breathing difficulties will find participating in even simple activities difficult. Respiratory therapy helps residents improve their breathing functions so they can once again move about freely without having to worry about reduced oxygen levels.
COVID-19 and pneumonia are common causes of breathing issues, and residents need to obtain proper medical care to recover from these and other illnesses that lead to breathing issues. The type of treatments required will dictate where and how frequently therapy sessions are scheduled.
Why is Therapy So Important for Residents?
The simple fact that life is uncertain is a solid reason to select an assisted living community that has different types of therapy available for residents. No one knows when injuries will occur or illnesses will strike. People, as a rule, rest easier knowing appropriate care will be available if and when it’s needed. So, just what benefits can residents expect from therapy?
Enhanced Mobility is Always Important
As people age, they generally see a decrease in their ability to move around as they once did. That’s a normal part of aging and should be expected. However, therapy offers residents a way to reduce or stop the onset of many physical issues that lead to impairments. Simply staying active is often enough to prevent mobility issues.
Of course, things happen. When they do, dealing with the results always makes a difference in how life goes on. Physical therapists are well aware of the issues facing older residents and understand the strategies commonly used to combat mobility issues.
Staying on Top of General Health Issues Prevents Problems
While memory care services and respite care for seniors are important features of assisted living communities, proper health care generally helps residents remain independent for as long as possible.
Therapy services are only one aspect of healthcare for residents, but they provide a vital link between physicians and those residents. Properly introduced therapy assists residents as they look for ways to remain active in the community and retain their ability to live on their own. Doctors are able to prescribe therapy when a senior’s environment changes, such as with a move to an assisted living community.
Maintain Residents’ Quality of Life
Depression and loneliness are common among older adults, especially if few family members live nearby. When therapy is used in conjunction with other healthcare strategies, those issues are less likely to interfere with the day-to-day activities our residents want to take part in.
Start the Journey to Comfort Today
Contact The Gardens of Sun City for more information on our innovative housing options that are available to residents. The Gardens of Sun City, we’re proud to be ranked as one of the best memory care communities in the region, and we always look forward to welcoming new residents.