We’ve all seen it, you know, the old commercial where a senior falls in her home and cries out that she’s fallen and can’t get up. So many recognize the commercial that today that line is practically a punch line. However, the reality is, falling is no laughing matter – especially for seniors. Did you know, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 20 percent of all falls cause serious injury, most often head injuries or hip fractures. Each year, 2.8 million seniors receive emergency room treatment as a result of falls. More than 800,00 seniors are hospitalize...

Well, Summer is finally here! For many families, that means preparing for fun-filled vacations and relaxing getaways. But if you are one of the thousands of caregivers tasked with caring for an aging loved one, a vacation or weekend getaway, may seem impossible or out-of-reach. Unfortunately, it’s all too common for caregivers to feel overwhelmed by the emotional and physical strain of the responsibility of taking the best care of their loved ones. While you as a caregiver may be reluctant to admit you could use a break, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to be in this alone ...

If you or a loved one has been experiencing a medical condition that requires a more concentrated level of care, it’s likely that your doctor may have recommended short-term rehabilitation. At this point, you may be asking yourself, “What’s the point?” With that important question in mind, below, we’ve laid-out four core benefits that short-term rehabilitation provides as well as to why it may be worth your time, energy and commitment: Quality of Recovery: Some may say, “Hey, I’m healthy and active, I even have a long-time exercise regimen, what do I need rehab for?” The reali...

Whether your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or is just starting to show signs of memory loss, knowing when it’s time for memory care is never an easy choice. However, there are early signs you can look out for to make the optimal and most timely decision on transitioning your loved one to a memory care program. Here at The Gardens at Stroud, we help families transition to memory care when ready. Below are some common early signs for you to consider: #1 Unsafe and Unsound One of the most common concerns family members have about a loved one living with Alzheimer’s is for thei...

Mother’s Day is almost here, and it’s the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with the important women in your life – for many, that means visiting a senior mom or grandmother being cared for at a skilled nursing facility. While your mother or grandmother will be glad to just spend time with you, planning a special Mother’s Day activity is a great way to show your love and appreciation. Here are a few ideas to help you celebrate Mother’s Day with a senior mom: Treat her to a manicure: A manicure or pedicure is a thoughtful gift idea for your mother or grandmother, especia...

Barbara Hewitt, 71, came to the Gardens at Stroud after sustaining a fall which resulted in a fractured right hip and requiring a total hip replacement. Barbara had previously worked in this facility as a hair dresser and requested to come to The Gardens of Stroud for her therapy. In just 2 weeks, Barbara was ready to return to her Assisted Living Facility with her independence! She learned how to use the long handled adaptive equipment in order to dress herself independently while maintaining her total hip precautions. The newest additions to her family were her rolling walker that she requir...

Catherine Barone, 80, came to The Gardens at Stroud suffering from COPD and muscle weakness. Upon admission, Catherine required maximum assistance for all transfers and could only ambulate 10 feet with a rolling walker along with moderate assistance from the therapist. In addition, Catherine required maximum assistance with all self-care tasks, including toileting. Catherine was determined to get stronger to allow herself to ambulate to the bathroom and complete her toileting task with supervision. Working with Catherine, our therapy teams developed a comprehensive rehabilitation plan with att...

Frances Daniels, 82, came to The Gardens at Stroud upon being discharged from the hospital. When she arrived, Frances was completely dependent with assistance required for all self-care, transfers, ambulation needs. Fracnes was unable to feed herself, had decreased strength throughout her body and required a special geri chair for proper positioning and comfort. Working with Frances, our physical therapy team developed a tailored rehabilitation plan with strategic objectives – our goal was to help Frances regain her independence so she could return home to her beloved daughter. Frances’ ne...