Visiting therapists form a big part of our approach to holistic care services. Residents in any of the exceptional care and nursing centres throughout our network have the assurance that if they need a sight check-up, physical rehabilitation, or emotional support, we are on hand to provide all the assistance they need in one place.
Our carers, qualified nurses, catering teams and maintenance staff endeavour to go the extra mile, but we recognise that some healthcare needs might fall outside the skillset of our in-house personnel – and that families often have enormous peace of mind knowing that the dental, mental, optical and physical health of their loved one remains a priority.
Here we’ll explain the types of visiting therapies on offer within the Forest Healthcare network and talk about how this benefits residents who don’t need to leave the centre or rely on third-party services when mobility and travel are less than ideal.
What Are the Advantages of Having Visiting Therapists Come to a Residential Care Home?
It’s worth clarifying that residents who might, for instance, have an amazing team of dentists in the local community or want to travel to a professional physiotherapist have the absolute freedom to do so.
We provide personalised, warm nursing care, companionship, and specialist services like dementia care that cover a broad scope of conditions, cognitive abilities, and personal care needs.
Many residents remain active and love nothing more than using a check-up as a great reason to get out and about, meet with friends, or enjoy a little retail therapy.
However, for a large proportion of residents living within our nursing and care centres, comfort, minimal stress, and relaxation are paramount to their well-being, and those accessing our dementia care services know that familiarity and continuity are key to avoiding unnecessary distress or confusion.
This is where visiting therapists provide an excellent alternative to other options for those who cannot travel and would like to stay somewhere they feel safe, content and happy, and have the relevant therapist come to them.
Types of Visiting Therapies on Offer at Forest Healthcare’s Residential Care Centres
Every resident and family is different, and while some might require or benefit from a regular schedule of therapists, such as psychotherapy and speech and language therapies, others do not but may still wish to have general check-ups once or twice a year.
We adapt our care planning to each individual, but within that planning, we might identify a need for:
- Therapies to help with movement, mobility, balance, coordination, meals and speech, with ongoing support often vital as part of stroke rehabilitation to help residents relearn skills such as how to speak certain sounds.
- Dental care, including regular check-ups, hygiene treatments, and customised care with dentures, which can prevent infections or tooth pain or ensure residents’ dental health remains good.
- Occupational therapists who contribute to multidisciplinary care planning, support in-house care teams and assist with risk assessments and advice about how best to meet changing needs or difficulties a resident might be experiencing.
In some cases, therapies are more of a one-off. They could, for example, include an assessment of a resident’s posture and mobility to help identify the right wheelchair or mobility device or verify that they remain confident and able to manage with their current seating or mobility aids.
The primary aim is to ensure that we offer comprehensive care that covers every area of resident well-being, from their mental and physical health to proactive identification of changing needs or concerns.
Why Look for Therapeutic Services When Choosing a Private Residential Care Home?
When we consult with families or invite them to one of our centres for a guided tour, one of the most frequent concerns we hear is about how their loved one will be properly supported – an understandable worry for those looking for quality care for somebody who may be unwell, vulnerable, or living with a progressive condition.
Getting to know each individual’s personality, wishes, and preferences and respecting their right to autonomy and independence is just as essential as the practicalities of care. It gives us insights we can incorporate into the tiniest details of their care planning.
For example, a person who has suffered a brain injury could find it hard to communicate, in which case our role is to listen to their advocates and loved ones or support non-verbal communication methods to give us that all-important rapport and dialogue.
From there, we can discuss the right activity schedules, catering, personal care, medical support, and mental health assistance best suited to the person – while factoring in visiting therapists either on request or because we identify that they would be beneficial.
Many individuals recovering from a brain injury find that everyday tasks like movement become impossibly hard, which is where a regular visit from an empathetic and highly experienced physiotherapist can make a tangible difference to their quality of life.
Recovery might be a slow process, but working on building strength, relearning balance and grip, and achieving better levels of personal independence can actively prevent secondary complications and mean a resident isn’t left to live with challenges that could potentially be resolved.
The Value of a Broad Range of Care Expertise in Our Nursing Care Settings
The right visiting therapies will vary between individuals, but many like the convenience of being able to request a check-up with an optician if their eyesight is causing problems, or if they feel a new pair of glasses or hearing aids might enhance their ability to participate in events and social activities, or watch their favourite series.
Likewise, an osteopath may be necessary to support a resident after a hospital stay due to a fall or joint replacement surgery. With the right support, the causes of many falls such as loss of coordination can be mitigated or lessened.
This is why we believe that therapies are an essential aspect of Forest Healthcare‘s service and contribute to our ethos of respect, kindness, and professionalism – enabling us to offer help and support wherever they are needed, within the comfort of our quality care environments.