Have you noticed that your parents are gradually becoming less active, more forgetful and confused, causing concern about their safety and ability to cope alone?
You might find yourself increasingly preoccupied with their well-being, spending more time assisting them and wondering if Long Term Care (LTC) facility is the next step.
Our providers at GLA Rehab can assess your loved ones and find solutions to improve safety, improve independence and improve quality of life within the home.
This may help you to delay their placement in a LTC facility, which will reduce cost and the need for extensive support services.
Our services is aimed at helping to keep your parents at home the longest possible time and reduce cost of care.
GLA Rehab Services for Dementia and Elder Care
Assessments
Assessments
Hospital Discharge
A discharge assessment is completed to determine the client’s needs for continuing care after they leave hospital. The client and family are fully involved in the assessment process.
A care plan is developed before discharge. Our OT/ Care Plan Manager (CPM) will communicate with the client’s team and will complete a home assessment to assess accessibility, should this be an issue.
Read MoreThe OT/CM will then communicate with your family to ensure collaborations with regards to purchase and/or renting assistive devices, paid personal care and any issue related to a smooth discharge plan.
The Care Plan Managers will send a report to the client, and family physician with recommendations.
The following is an example of what can be done following the discharge:
- The client will receive a name and phone number of the provider to contact should any questions arise.
- Recommendations for home support will be discussed with the client and the family. These recommendations may include OT, PT, Rehab Therapy, Social Worker etc. Assistive Devices will be ordered or rented from vendors.
- They will also learn when and how often support will be provided and how the support will be monitored and reviewed.
The next step:
- Our Care Plan Managers will continue to visit you at your home to ensure all services are arranged.
OT Functional Assessment
Our occupational therapists assess the client’s function and the level of assistance needed for daily care. The OT’s assessment of physical, psychosocial, behavioural, cognitive or perceptual functions lends a comprehensive insight to the client’s ability to manage daily living skills independently.
Our OTs are certified in the following:
GPA E-Learning
U-First
Dementiability Methods
The OT will make recommendations for assistive devices and for functional OT goals to return to optimal independence and reduced paid help or caregiver burnout. The OT will also make recommendations for other services needed such as PT, RT, SW etc.
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The OT can address accessibility within the home and connect the family with disability code contractors.
The next step:
- The OT will provide OT services and will provide care management to ensure a team approach.
- The OT will communicate with the client’s primary physician on a regular basis through written updates.
OT Cognitive Assessment
When medical records indicate that the clients are experiencing cognitive problems affecting their ability to complete daily function, our OTs can offer a cognitive-perceptual assessment.
The occupational therapist uses standardized assessment tools, to assess attention skills, memory, visual perception, executive skills, organization and other cognitive functions. The OT is also observing the client’s cognitive, physical, behavioural, and psychosocial impairments and strengths, while performing functional tasks.
Read moreThe result of this assessment can assist with determining areas of cognitive deficits and to plan interventions to remediate or compensate for these deficits, when the main long term goal is to help client return to Activities of Daily Living (ADL).
For people with Dementia, our OTs will be using several standardized tests specifically for Dementia, including:
The ABC Dementia scale, BSO-DOS, Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory, Mini-Mental test and MoCA.
Next step:
Following the assessment and analyzing the results the OT will complete the following:
- Write a comprehensive cognitive assessment report that will be circulated to the client and their rehab team, and will be provided to the family, if requested, so that everyone is aware of the difficulties.
- Develop cognitive remediation activities to provide feedback to the client regarding their abilities and progress.
- Develop cognitive compensation strategies to assist the client to develop further independence by using some tools to eliminate cognitive mistakes For example, for individuals with impaired memory, the OT will set up alarms on the client’s cell phone to remind them of their appointments or when to ingest medications.
- Coordinate cognitive-behavioural goals, tools and strategies with the rehab team to ensure a team approach.
Social Worker Assessment
Social work assessments involve gathering information about an individual’s or family’s circumstances, emotional and functional strengths, challenges, and needs. This process typically includes interviews, observations, and reviewing relevant documents and records.
The assessment addresses the problems that affect a person or family’s emotional status, and mental health issues. It highlights the existing support networks, coping mechanisms, and personal assets of people and communities, and it recognizes their innate resilience and capabilities.
Our SWs are certified in the following:
GPA E-Learning
U-First
Following the assessment, social workers can create interventions that encourage positive change and improve well-being, by being aware of these factors. Social workers can help people and families overcome obstacles and capitalize on their resources by leveraging their strengths.
Next step:
- The social worker will complete the report, which will outline the client’s and family’s emotional difficulties due to cognitive changes and behavioural shifts in the elderly. The report will include a care plan or intervention strategy, which will be tailored to the individual’s or family’s specific needs and circumstances.
- The report can also assist the rehab team to get a better understanding of the wellbeing of the whole family dealing with elder care.
- At times, the social worker will recommend individual sessions for different family members and family therapy to address the family unit’s emotional health.
- The social worker will collaborate with the rest of the rehab team to ensure a team approach.
Physiotherapy Assessment
Our neuro-physiotherapist tests movement, strength, joints, balance, gait, posture and neurological problems. Physiotherapists are skilled health professionals whose training allows them to accurately diagnose musculoskeletal injuries, as well as other conditions such as vestibular disorders.
The use of outcome measures helps to determine effective treatment options and monitor progression.
Our PTs are certified in the following:
GPA E-Learning
U-First
Following a physical assessment, the findings might lead to a more detailed assessment in other specific areas such as spasticity, postural assessments, cognitive assessments, or splinting assessments to name a few.
Recommendations following physiotherapy assessment can include PT treatment, assistive devices and mobility devices, other rehab services such as OT or kinesiologist and home modifications related to home accessibility.
Our PT is ADP authorized and can help clients apply to get government funding for mobility devices.
Next step:
- Following the assessment the PT will complete a detailed report with recommendations for PT treatment to improve overall mobility, device recommendations and other services. The report will be circulated within the team and will be copied to the client and the family physician.
- The PT will maintain communication with the rehab team to ensure a team approach as the client progresses.
- Our physiotherapy services take place at home and in the community. If possible, and when the client is ready, our PT will refer the client to a clinic.
- The physiotherapy report can explain the client’s functional difficulties with regards to completing self-care tasks and housekeeping tasks.
Orthotic Assessment
As we age, our walking pattern may undergo changes. Some clients may have mobility problems and a compromised gait. A foot orthosis can be inserted in a shoe to help support or improve the function of the foot and/or ankle.
The main goals of an orthotic device are to improve biomechanics, re-distribute pressure or to accommodate acquired deformities.
Read MoreThe ultimate goal is to improve and maintain joint alignment during the gait cycle or the individual’s highest functional level.
Foot orthotics can support the feet and ankle, correct gait, accommodate position if the client is not walking, provide shock absorption and re-distribute pressure on the feet.
Next step:
- Once assessed, prescribed and received, the orthotic assessor will prescribe the devices and will visit the client one more time to make adjustments once prepared.
Treatments
Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists focus on enabling elderly persons to improve and maintain their independence with Activities of Daily Living in order to age comfortably and safely within their own homes.
OTs are trained to address a wide range of physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges that seniors may encounter as they navigate the aging process.
Read MoreOTs assess the home environment for safety and provide suggestions for home modifications and assistive devices. We offer information and education on devices including wandering technology to improve safety.
Our OTs address cognitive decline such as in Dementia by offering the client and their family compensation strategies to eliminate confusion, memory problems, behavioural difficulties and caregiver burnout. Our OTs are trained and hold certificates in Gentle Persuasion Approach, UFirst PIECES and Dementiability for Dementia care.
Our OTs can help with medication management, cognitive support, energy conservation and social engagement opportunities.
Our primary goal is to enhance the overall independent function of seniors and promote a sense of autonomy. We also help the families in addressing safety of their loved ones and daily routine. We work with the PSW and educate them on behavioural management and strategies for care.
Read LessCare Plan Manager (CPM)
Are you unsure about what services you will need in the future and how to access them?
Are you a son or a daughter living far away from your parents and worry about their safety and ability to manage on their own? Do you find yourself spending increased amounts of time doing things for your parents?
Read MoreAre you a spouse to an elderly person who is unable to handle all the care for your loved one or a son or daughter that cannot help your parents by yourself?
You may need help navigating the system to access additional services and understand all the options.
Our Care Plan Manager (CPM) is involved in planning, implementing, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating the options and services available that will help meet your needs and your family members’ needs.
Holding a wealth of knowledge about rehabilitation and care, CPMs provide invaluable insight for your family, physician and rehabilitation team. The overall aim is to maximize independence with daily functions, reduce paid help and help elderly people to stay in place as long as possible within their home.
Some of the areas a Care Plan Manager may get involved with include:
- Coordinating with various health and social services to ensure your needs can be met.
- Arranging or organizing assessments by healthcare professionals, such as an audiologist, pain specialist, gerontologist and others.
- Ensuring you have the correct equipment that will help promote confidence, increase safety and independence and aid comfort.
- Working closely with you and your family. Offering help, support and guidance and links to collateral and private services.
- Allocate funding resources for expenses related to your current needs
The Care Plan Manager offers an important role in health care management for elderly people and their family. The CPM keeps in regular contact with the family physician.
Read LessPhysiotherapy Elder Care
Physiotherapists play a vital role in enhancing independence with mobility and daily functions for seniors, who prefer to receive care in the familiarity and comfort of their own homes or cannot make it to a physiotherapy clinic.
In-home physiotherapy services are tailored to meet the unique needs of elderly individuals, ensuring they maintain their independence and mobility while aging gracefully.
Read morePhysiotherapists use a variety of exercises and techniques to enhance muscle function, joint flexibility, balance and to manage pain. They can help with the provision of mobility aids to promote independence with walking, transfers, stair management, carrying, lifting and other physical functions.
Read lessRehab Therapy Elder Care
Once a treatment program is developed by the occupational therapist and physical therapist, the rehabilitation therapist (RT) will help to implement the exercises and repetitions to enhance and augment on OT and PT goals.
The RTs guide seniors through prescribed exercises and rehabilitation routines aimed at improving strength, balance, cognition, and emotional regulation.
Read MoreThe RTs facilitate community integration and assist with improved stamina and endurance through a walking program in the community, improving mood and provide respite for caregivers at home. They assist with reducing social isolation and promote enjoyable activities indoors and outdoor.
They work collaboratively with the client and team to ensure healthcare needs are met.
Read lessSocial Work
Many seniors face feelings of loneliness, isolation, and depression. Social workers offer emotional support and provide strategies to cope with these emotions.
The social workers offer services to spouses who are experiencing caregiver burnout and to families that are struggling with managing care for their loved ones.
show moreSocial workers can assist seniors in accessing financial resources, including government benefits, housing assistance, and programs that can help cover the cost of medications and healthcare services.
show lessKinesiologist
Our Kinesiologists will design a customized exercise program tailored to the individual’s needs and capabilities. These exercises may focus on improving mobility, strength, joint stability, or overall fitness.
Falls are a significant concern for seniors. Kinesiologists work on exercises and activities to improve balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls and related injuries.
Read moreKinesiologists often collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physicians, to ensure a comprehensive approach to senior care.
Read lessAqua Physiotherapy
Aqua physiotherapy offers a safe, enjoyable, and effective way to address a wide range of physical and psychological needs, while supporting seniors in maintaining their independence and well-being.
Water buoyancy reduces the impact on joints, making it an ideal form of exercise for seniors with arthritis, joint pain, or limited mobility. It allows them to perform movements that might be challenging on land.
Read moreGentle water exercises can improve cardiovascular fitness, benefiting heart health and overall stamina. This is especially important for seniors looking to maintain an active lifestyle.
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