Physiotherapy in care home -

Physiotherapy in care home

August 31, 2024

Physiotherapy in care home

Are you staying in a care home temporarily whilst recovering from surgery or recent admission to hospital for medical illness like stroke ( or worsening of your chronic neurological conditions like Parkinson’s or Multiple sclerosis) or infections like pneumonia or falls.

Are your loved ones staying in a care home permanently, and showing deterioration in their ability to manage getting on/ off bed and toilet, difficulty to walk or carers having difficulty in caring due to pain, tightness and contracture?

Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist play a vital role in helping residents maintain mobility, independence, and a higher quality of life. Physiotherapist can help in reducing pain and tightness thereby promoting ease in personal care.

The Role of Physiotherapists in Care Homes

Physiotherapists in care homes offer a variety of services to support residents’ physical health, mobility, and overall quality of life:

Assessment and Individualised Care Plans– Assessment include mobility, strength, balance, functional abilities and also assessment of common limiting factors like , Pain, tightness, spasticity. Based on these assessments, Physiotherapist develop personalised care plans tailored to address specific needs and goals, in liaison with care home staff and family members.
Bed Mobility – Maintaining bed mobility is crucial for comfort, preventing pressure sores, managing personal hygiene and overall health. Physiotherapists can organise and practise exercise programs to improve flexibility, movements and bed mobility.
Pain Management – Chronic pain is common among older adults and individuals with certain health conditions. Physiotherapists use a variety of techniques, including mobilisation, stretches, exercises and positioning, to help manage and alleviate pain, thereby improving the comfort and well-being.
Tightness, spasticity, paratonia, contracture. Muscle tone could be increased due to dementia or as a guarding response to pain or due to neurological conditions. The increase in muscle tone can lead to difficulties in positioning in bed or chair and also daily care. Physiotherapist can help in assessment, identification of trigger factors leading to tightness and increased tone, co- ordinate medication management with therapeutic management. Physiotherapist can organise positioning programme, support system to improve positioning, and thereby alleviate pain. Physiotherapists at Aspire Rehab are trained in specialist posture management of complex disabilities and spasticity management, and have access to specialist Physiotherapist who are Independent prescribers and trained on injection of Botox(and other Botulinium toxin)
Functional Training – Physiotherapists work with residents to enhance their ability to perform daily tasks independently. This may involve practicing activities like transferring from a bed to a chair, toilet transfers, walking to the lounge or using transfer/ mobility aids safely.
Fall PreventionFalls can have serious consequences for the elderly and those with neurological issues. Physiotherapists are specialist in assessment, identification of contributing factors for falls, implementing fall prevention strategies and enabling you to enjoy an active life as much as possible. This includes exercise programme, practising safe transfer and mobility, organising right equipment to support your daily routines, education and training to family and carers, organising appropriate care plan.
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation – For people recovering from surgeries like hip and knee replacement or any other surgery, physiotherapists play a critical role in guiding their rehabilitation process. They organise rehabilitation programs that help restore strength, movement and function.
Quality of Life. The role of physiotherapists in care homes goes beyond addressing physical health issues, enhancing the overall quality of life for residents, improving experience for family member and carers who support their care in later life. Physiotherapist at Aspire Rehab Team achieve this through specialist assessment, individualised care plans, mobility enhancement, pain management, individual exercise and task practise.
Integrated Approach– Physiotherapists at Aspire Rehab, often work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, including nurses, activity co-ordinator in care home, occupational therapists, and doctors. This interdisciplinary approach ensures the residents receive holistic care that addresses their physical, emotional, and social needs.