When rehabilitation is required after a senior experiences a bad fall or serious illness, a move to assisted living community may be needed. A move to a new and more supporting environment such as a rehabilitation community may be needed to best provide for their recovery.
From a safety and care standpoint, transitioning to assisted living is a smart choice. When your loved one’s time in short-term rehab is reaching its end, now is the time to take steps to ensure the move to assisted living is a smooth process.
Care Planning
As they recover, you may see that returning home would not be the best for their wellbeing. They need to be in a place where they can remain active, receive help when they need it, and keep themselves from getting reinjured.
This is the time to hold a “care plan meeting,” or discussion with your loved one, rehab staff, their physician, and other family members about ongoing care requirements and goals. By discussing what needs to be accomplished for their full recovery early on, you can best assess whether assisted living really is the best transition for them.
An assisted living community can put your loved one in a better position for treatment if a setback does occur. The consistent schedule and level of care in an assisted living rehabilitation program is unmatched with what the focus they could get at home.
Prepare for an Emotional Conversation
In life, we face many big transitions and changes. The move to assisted living is not an easy one.
Many seniors can’t help but feel they have lost their independence. They’re freedom is limited by a physical injury or illness. The realization of no longer being able to do some of the things they once did – such as driving or some of their hobbies – takes a toll. When it comes to the point where they can no longer live in their own home, it can be an emotional and unsettling realization.
An unfamiliar environment can be nerve-wracking for anyone. Think back to the first day of school as a child. Will I make friends? The same question then, may flash through your loved one’s mind now as a senior. Assisted living offers your loved one the chance to neighbor those within their age group. Activities and programs that are offered will give them opportunities to socialize in ways they may not have been given in their home.
A scheduled day such as one in an assisted living community will offer a sense of routine. Routine gives many the sense of comfort they need. The scheduled rehab and exercise programs will help them get back on their feet faster, while the other activities will help lift their spirits and get more comfortable.
They can still choose alone time if they would like, and family and friends can always visit. Providing your loved one with an array of family photos, heirlooms, and other tokens will help make their new space feel more at home. Some communities such as The Kensington, even allow pets! We love furry friends and will honor that companionship.
Rehabilitation at The Kensington
Our partners in rehabilitation services, HealthPRO Heritage, are leaders in exceptional and knowledgeable therapy. Available on-site to provide state-of-the-art therapies, we work diligently to carry out treatment plans and bring residents closer to recovery.
HealthPRO’s multidisciplinary team can evaluate your needs and develop a tailored program, with the following focuses offered:
- Physical Therapy helps restore physical strength and maintain maximum movement and functional ability. Improvement of mobility, balance, and range of motion is the primary goal.
- Occupational Therapy is aimed to help adapt to life changes and improve functional abilities. Training and guidance on self-care skills such as bathing, dressing, feeding, and grooming are some of the main focuses.
- Speech Therapy helps with all aspects of communication and memory. Chewing and swallowing problems are alleviated with this type of therapy.
Our team works to help improve the health and wellbeing of seniors who have hospitalized or in need of expert care for the following conditions:
- Post-Operative Joint Replacement
- Neurologic & Stroke Recovery
- Fractures
- Cardiac Care
- Pain Management
- Arthritis
- Fall Prevention/Balance
- Memory Enhancement
- Bladder Health
- Parkinson’s Disease
Our team not only caters to each individual’s care needs, but to best provide for their current strengths. Compassion accompanies professionalism in our promise to love and care for your loved one, as we do our own. If you have questions on how we can help advance the wellbeing and recovery of your loved one, give us a call today!
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