HCF Piqua Manor

Therapy Care Community Comparison Checklist

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There may be times when you will find you or a loved one are in need of therapy. This comparison checklist will assist you in comparing care community therapy services and making the best decision.

When selecting a care community for the therapy services you or a loved one need, it is important to visit the communities, ask the right questions, record their answers and then rationally compare them. This comparison checklist will help you do just that. It is also important to understand the three basic types of therapy services offered— occupational, physical and speech therapy.

Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy has a unique, diverse and important role in geriatric health care. Therapists seek to optimize the patients’ quality of life by improving their ability to perform activities of daily living, or ADLs. ADLs include tasks such as eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring and home management responsibilities.

Physical Therapy
Physical therapists are dedicated to improving the patients’ quality of life by increasing mobility, decreasing pain, improving balance, enhancing strength and reducing joint contractures.

Speech Therapy
Speech therapy helps patients to better understand what is being communicated to them and to regain their verbal communication abilities. Speech therapy also assists in retraining patients to read and write. Additionally, in some cases, speech therapy can help patients whose communication ability may appear to be intact but the patient’s cognitive and linguistic functions are impaired.

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Does the care community offer consistent occupational, physical, and speech therapists?	Yes	Yes / No	Yes / No
Is therapy available seven days per week?	Yes	Yes / No	Yes / No
Does the care community offer outpatient therapy?	Yes / No	Yes / No	Yes / No
Does the rehab program offer in-home assessments for a safe transition to home?	Yes	Yes / No	Yes / No
If assistive equipment is needed, is it ordered by the care community prior to discharge?	Yes	Yes / No	Yes / No
Are personalized home exercise programs developed for each patient prior to discharge?	Yes	Yes / No	Yes / No
Are the therapists experienced in dealing with your medical condition?	Yes	Yes / No	Yes / No
Are treatment schedules flexible and designed for the patient’s needs?	Yes	Yes / No	Yes / No
Is family participation encouraged with treatment?	Yes	Yes / No	Yes / No
Is family/caregiver education and support provided by the therapists?	Yes	Yes / No	Yes / No