Rehabilitation

Senior rehabilitation centers are designed to help those recovering from an injury or serious medical event to reduce pain and improve function. Senior rehab facilities often include services such as physical therapy to help improve mobility, balance, strength, flexibility etc. Senior rehabilitation centers are designed to help those recovering from an injury or serious medical event to reduce pain and improve function.

According to the Center for Medicare Advocacy, the average length of stay for inpatient rehab is 12 days. These numbers include joint replacement, stroke, and other types of rehab.

Balance problems affect 75% of older adults 70 years old and older. While these vary in severity, they can be crippling and can lead to ongoing problems with strength and stability. Geriatric Rehabilitation (GR) aims to restore function or enhance residual functional capability and improve the quality of life in older people. Current rehabilitation practice focuses on function and well-being, not exclusively on disease.

The five phases of rehabilitation are:

• Phase 1 – Control Pain and Swelling
• Phase 2 – Improve Range of Motion and/or Flexibility
• Phase 3 – Improve Strength & Begin Proprioception/Balance Training
• Phase 4 – Proprioception/Balance Training & Sport-Specific Training
• Phase 5 – Gradual Return to Full Activity

Patients who have suffered unanticipated events like strokes, fractures, traumatic brain injuries, or heart attacks, or scheduled surgeries like hip replacements, may be referred for rehabilitation where they can receive therapy to help them get stronger and regain some of their abilities.

Geriatric rehabilitation is an interdisciplinary field that includes occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, and more.

While most seniors face major adjustments when transitioning to an elder-care community, Jewish seniors face additional challenges. Not only do they lose their homes, and many of their friends, but they also lose ties to their cultural heritage.  This is where Jewish Pavilion Senior Services steps in.  JPSS serves as a resource that provides room visits, festive holiday celebrations, and more to 450 Jewish residents in fifty facilities for seniors.  The Jewish Pavilion promotes inclusion, and thousands of seniors of all faiths are welcomed into our programs. Visit www.JewishPavilion.org to learn more.

The Orlando Senior Help Desk (407-678-9363) helps thousands of callers navigate their way through the daunting senior maze, alleviating caregiver stress while giving advice on all types of elder issues. Visit www.OrlandoSeniorHelpDesk.org to learn more.