Physical therapy
Physical therapy is a proven means for older adults from every level of physical ability to improve their balance and strength, build their confidence, and remain active. A number of people are familiar with physical therapy as a form of treatment to pursue after an accident, or in relation to a condition such as a stroke. Physical therapy is useful for many additional reasons, such as improving balance, strength, mobility, and overall fitness. All of these are factors which older adults may benefit from, contributing to their physical abilities and helping to maintain their independence for longer periods of time. Physical therapy can also help older adults to avoid falls, something that is crucial to this population.
Our joint replacement therapy services assist in rehabilitation after joint replacement surgery. We use a full spectrum of customized treatment services to meet the needs of the patient, including pre-operative education, pain management, physical and occupational therapy and therapeutic recreation programs. We also evaluate the home environment to ensure that recovery can continue effectively and without interruption, as well as educating the family on ways in which they can contribute to patient recovery.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy helps people who, through injury or illness, have lost some of their ability to perform important life functions like eating, bathing and dressing, as well as ordinary activities like cooking, doing laundry or other tasks. We make a complete evaluation of the impact the patient's surgery or illness has had on their activities both at home and in work situations, as well as considering a patient's hobbies and recreational activities. Then an individualized treatment plan is recommended, and assistive devices are prescribed to improve the quality of the patient's daily living activities.
Speech-language pathology services
Speech-language pathology services (SLP) boost a person’s ability to communicate and to swallow. SLP addresses the declines associated with neurological difficulties, age-related illness, and deterioration of the swallowing mechanism. SLP may be able to help your loved one with declines due to brain injury, stroke, cancer, infection, or physical abnormality. It’s used to treat breathing problems due to lung diseases or tracheotomy. Speech therapists also provide treatment of cognitive-linguistic impairments. This treatment focuses on restoring memory, sequencing, problem solving, safety awareness, attention, and their effects on the function of activities of daily living. Exercises may include breaking down a complicated task, like making a grocery list, to small simple steps. In this case, the steps include identifying what items you need (problem solving), finding a pen and paper, remembering the words for the items you want (memory), and writing the list (communication). SLP also helps when a person has trouble speaking, articulating words, or using expressive language, due to conditions such as dysarthria or apraxia (motor speech disorders); hoarse vocal quality; complete or partial loss of voice; or aphasia (a language disorder). Your loved one may be taught specific exercises to strengthen the muscles of the face, mouth and throat such as blowing out, sipping in through a straw and making specific sounds like "pa" and "ma". Finally, speech-language pathology plays a critical role in the treatment of dysphagia, or swallowing disorder. The treatment of dysphagia is essential in maintaining healthy lungs and avoiding pneumonia. Smithfield Manor is pleased to offer Vital Stim. The VitalStim® Therapy System is an adjunctive modality to traditional exercise that unites the power of electrical stimulation with the benefits of swallowing exercises. Combining VitalStim and traditional therapy allows clinicians to accelerate strengthening, restore function, and help the brain remap the swallow. Research has demonstrated that combining these therapies results in better outcomes than using either one alone. Learn more about VitalStim therapy and how it might help you or your loved one.
