Check the Process of Physical Therapy when Moving to Assisted Living

October 6, 2015 by ·

Assisted Living in Daphne AL

Charlie was moving into assisted living following his second slip and fall accident at home. This second one caused him to break his ankle. He didn’t spend much time in the hospital, but the Assisted-Living-Daphne-ALdoctor recommended physical therapy and he had basically had enough of a struggle to get around on his own. His family had talked about hiring home care aides, but friends of his in the area had moved into a particular assisted living facility and he was interested in doing the same.

One thing Charlie had to find out first, though, was how he would take part in physical therapy once he moved into this assisted living community.

He had his son call the administrators at the facility to talk to them about their processes. They told him that many of the residents there also took part in physical therapy. They had a bus that would take residents on a daily basis to the mall, to doctors’ appointments, to physical therapy, and more.

So what about Charlie’s broken ankle?

He was relying on a wheelchair at the moment, but eventually he knew he would be transitioning to crutches and ultimately a cane. At one point in time Charlie also had to have physical therapy for other reasons and that individual came to his house. It was mostly because he didn’t have the physical capability of getting out of the house, into a car, and driving to the appointment. His son asked the administrators whether a physical therapist would be able to come to the facility and work with Charlie directly.

They said that was certainly possible but their exercise equipment was limited to the basics. If the physical therapist would be able to use a stationary bike, elliptical machine, rowing machine, or other equipment or had some basic equipment he could bring in with him for those appointments, then that wouldn’t be a problem.

Having these questions answered help set Charlie’s mind at ease. He felt much more comfortable and confident about moving into this assisted living facility while still requiring some type of physical therapy.

October is National Physical Therapy Month and just because an elderly individual may require this type of medical care and is considering assisted living, the two are not mutually exclusive; they often work well together.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living near Daphne, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

Filed Under: Assisted Living in Daphne AL · Tagged:
About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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