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Seniors often suffer with physical, expressive and/or receptive processing issues that keep them from being able to follow multi-step directions after experiencing a stroke. This often inhibits them from taking instructions, and from social interaction, especially if they are in undergoing home health care. Aquatics can provide beneficial social and language therapy in a safe environment. When recovering seniors are open to the therapeutic effects of the warm, enveloping water and the one-to-one speech and physical therapy, it is often easier to build up self-confidence and trust in others while getting out of the home and having fun.
Emotionally Preparing For Aquatic Therapy
While pool time is both therapeutic and fun, for some seniors it can provoke anxiety. Many seniors simply fear water. Others fear aquatic therapy after recuperating in what they feel is the ultimate safety of home. Still others balk at receiving too many instructions at once--which can end therapy before it even starts. It's imperative that you prepare your senior regarding what to expect from water therapy before setting that first toe into the pool. When you are recovering from a stroke, anything new can seem overwhelming whether a senior has been a seasoned swimmer or a newbie.
Simple ways to physically and emotionally prepare for aquatic therapy is through reassuring "baby steps" at bath time. Blowing bubbles in a glass or small tub of water can be a soothing precursor to pool time. This often helps patients feel comfortable by getting their faces and hair wet. Don't force the issue. Make it a conversational time, enjoy making fun sounds in the water, just like you would do with nervous kids preparing to take swim lessons. Those advancing in post-stroke home care often struggle with simple movements and with aphasia. These supervised "mini-swimming lessons" can reconnect the senior with the relaxing joys of water therapy.
Leveling With Seniors
Eye level, that is--people love to engage with facial expressions. Getting down to eye-level helps seniors to better process their aquatic therapist's instructions. The bottom line is that the natural buoyancy and resistance of the water is easy on joints and helps seniors get cardiovascular exercise. Therapists can address speech issues by issuing step-by-step instructions. It is a great way to combine physical and speech therapy to aid seniors with healing and happiness. Senior home care is not bound by four walls and a door. Encouraging recovering stroke patients to venture back into the world creates reasons for getting up each morning and facing the challenges of a new day.