Therapy Services in Senior Housing

Therapy is a hot topic for older adults.  Most people will go to a Medicare certified transitional care unit after a health event for rehabilitation.  In this setting it is often daily and more intense. Therapy usually lasts anywhere from two weeks to three months.  After progress stops so will therapy.  Many people return home.  Some folks decide it is time to move to senior living.  What about therapy in senior living?

As a resident in senior housing, you have the option to choose who you work with for therapy.  Many people use the services of a Medicare certified home care provider.  Before leaving a transitional care unit, the staff will provide you a list of agencies that provide this service.  Then after your Medicare days for therapy run out you will pay privately for on-going therapy.  Paying out of pocket for therapy is money well spent. It can help maintain your strength and progress.  Moving to senior living typically triggers a new Medicare event to start therapy.  To qualify for therapy, it must be ordered by a physician.

Occupational Therapy

• Occupational therapists use assessment tools to help people develop, recover, or maintain meaningful activities in their life. This can include assessing for adaptive equipment that may be helpful in a new environment.  The goal is to help their patients live to the fullest in the least restrictive environment.

Speech Therapy

• Speech therapists assess and treat communication problems. People who have difficulty with speech and swallowing benefit from this type of therapy.

Physical Therapy

• The goal of physician therapy is to increase physical function. It is often prescribed after an injury or illness.  They help people learn to use assistive devices like a walker or cane.

More senior living communities are partnering with organizations that provide therapy.  Some even have space for specialized equipment that can be used by residents living in the senior housing. It is good to ask if a community has a therapy partner.  Some known partners are Fox Therapy, Odom, Aegis, and Method Rehab.  This is a great benefit for the residents.  You can stay within your community and not have to leave home to get the care and therapy you need.