Bridges are often a welcome sight.
They lead us to a new vista or, in many instances, home from a trip away.
Diakon Senior Living Services’ Bridge to Home program is one more instance of that important connection—a critical link to comforting surroundings, to what is familiar.
Diakon’s Bridge to Home service is a concept we offer to help rehab patients and others nearing the end of hospitalization or short-term care take the important steps to return home.
Injured yourself? Or face another health-care issue related to aging?
If so, it’s important to determine if therapy can help. It’s equally important to understand the differences among therapies.
What is occupational therapy?
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc., some accidents, injuries or diseases can make it difficult for older adults to participate in the daily activities they enjoy. Occupational therapists help to evaluate the situation and create individualized goals so you can resume or pursue personal goals. These therapists may ask what activities you enjoy participating in and how you would like to pursue your goals.
Occupational therapy can help with:
● Achieving goals seniors set for themselves
● Remaining healthy and independent in spite of a chronic medical condition
● Rebuilding independence through assistive devices
● Improving the ability to participate in daily activities such as driving, visiting friends, socializing and pursuing hobbies
What is physical therapy?
Click here to read more of the differences between physical therapy and occupational therapy.
If you or someone you love has done serious damage to his or her shoulder, a total shoulder replacement may be necessary.
A total shoulder replacement is major surgery that can keep you or your loved one in the hospital for several days, in addition to requiring weeks or months of physical therapy to fully recover.
If you’re preparing for shoulder-replacement surgery, it helps to know what to expect.
After surgery
When you have your surgery, you can expect to stay in the hospital for two to five days to recover. The time will depend on how well you progress and whether you experience any complications from the surgery.
During this time, you will experience swelling and pain in your shoulder joint. Your physician will prescribe pain medication to help make you comfortable and ice to reduce the swelling. Your arm will be in a brace after surgery to keep you from moving. However, you will likely begin physical therapy during your hospital stay.
Coming home
Post-surgery, you will have very limited movement in your arm.
As you prepared for surgery, you may have arranged to have a family member or close friend help afterward if you live alone or if your spouse is unable to help you.
If not, it may be best to book a short stay at a rehabilitation center until you can do more things on your own.
In fact, it may be several weeks before you can lift much of anything. Consider how you might rearrange items in your home to make life easier as you recover. For example, think about your daily routine and set items on your bathroom sink so they are easily reachable, rather than tucked away in drawers.
Consider all the activities that require two hands and, if someone isn’t available to help, develop an alternative or find a way you can accomplish the task single-handed.
Physical therapy
Generally, you will continue to have physical therapy throughout your recovery. In addition to therapy sessions with a professional, you’ll likely be assigned exercises to do at home between sessions.
As you do these, remember not to push yourself too hard. Recognize that recovery takes time and rushing the process could result in a subsequent injury.
Physical therapy will play a vital role in recovery by limiting pain and improving the function of your new joint. Click here to read more about what your physical therapist will most likely teach you!
