Rehabilitation Therapy for Seniors: What It Is and How It Works

Nearly everyone experiences health-related setbacks in their lives at some point. In the event of a major injury or illness, the healing process involves more than just medications. For people who have experienced physical trauma or medical treatment that resulted in loss of functionality (either physical, mental, or cognitive), rehabilitation therapy helps them to regain some or all of their lost abilities, and hopefully enables them to live independently again. 

What Is Senior Rehabilitation, and Who Needs It?

Anyone who has experienced loss of mobility or functionality as a result of illness or injury can benefit from rehabilitation therapy. This includes seniors, who as a group face a unique set of age-related health concerns that often require rehabilitation therapy, such as increased risk of cancer, stroke, and falls. 

Here are just a few examples of the types of conditions or events that might necessitate rehabilitation therapy:

  • Major bodily trauma, such as amputation or severe burns

  • Concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) 

  • Spinal cord injury

  • Stroke

  • Major surgery

  • Multiple sclerosis

  • Fall-related traumas, such as hip fractures

  • Cancer, including side effects caused by cancer treatment

  • Chronic pain

  • Developmental disabilities

What Does Rehabilitation Therapy Look Like?

Rehabilitation therapy will also look different for everyone. Often, it involves treatment such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech/language therapy (or some combination of the three). 

Depending on the patient's needs and the severity of their condition, different levels of rehabilitation therapy are also available. For example, individuals whose needs are more complex or intense might participate in an inpatient rehabilitation therapy program, whereas individuals who have support at home or have less severe needs might receive outpatient rehabilitation therapy, or treatment from a home health aide. 

Rehabilitation therapy is one of the many services that PACE of Southwest Michigan offers to clients to keep them happy, healthy, and independent. PACE of SWMI's innovative philosophy focuses on providing care to seniors in their own homes and communities, thereby allowing them to maintain their comfort, independence, and dignity. PACE takes a holistic, all-inclusive approach to care that combines interdisciplinary healthcare, social support, spiritual care, and more. If you or someone you know is struggling to have their care needs met, check your eligibility or contact us to explore your options.