As we age, we often don’t bounce back as quickly as we once did. A fall can lead to other complications or may take more time to fully heal. A bout of pneumonia can require a lengthy hospital stay, or a planned surgery may require more recovery before heading home. A stroke may require extensive therapy to regain our cognitive and physical function. Or perhaps a health condition makes it very difficult to meet our health and personal needs.
These are just some examples that might require more specialized senior health services. And the need for health care services for seniors is higher than you might think.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that in 2015, 1.3 million Americans were living in a long-term care setting, receiving some sort of senior health services. If you’re confident that won’t be you or an older adult you care about, you might want to look at the odds. A 2017 study published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that 56 percent of Americans between the ages of 57 and 61 will spend at least one night in a nursing home setting in their lifetime.
And a study by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services showed 70 percent of adults 65 and older will need some sort of long-term services and support.

Conditions in seniors requiring health services & rehab

Many conditions may require some form of rehabilitation to regain independence and improve overall quality of life. Common types are stroke rehab; speech, physical, occupational; and pulmonary rehab.
Stroke: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, strokes are the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States, with more than 795,000 people suffering a stroke every year. And, the CDC says a stroke reduces mobility in more than half of survivors 65 and over.
Depending on the severity, a stroke can cause impaired movement, slurred speech, and paralysis. Most people have physical therapy, coupled with stroke rehab, to regain their strength and independence, relearn skills like communicating effectively, and improve their quality of life. Speech therapy can help with aphasia, the loss of language abilities after a stroke, and dysphasia, which is problems swallowing food.
Falls: The CDC also reports that every second of every day, an older adult over 65 in the U.S. suffers a fall. Out of every five falls, one results in an injury such as a head injury or broken bone. For older adults who are recovering from a fall, physical therapy can improve their balance and muscle strength and may help prevent future falls. Occupational therapy may help them regain their ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as walking, bathing, or housekeeping. If the older adult has suffered a traumatic brain injury after a fall, speech therapy may be needed to help the adult get back their ability to communicate effectively.
Chronic lung disease: Adults 65 and older are at greater risk of pneumonia, which can weaken the lungs. Older adults may also suffer from chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder, or COPD, which obstructs airflow from the lungs. Pulmonary rehab is often prescribed to improve lung function and reduce breathing problems.

Types of care settings for senior healthcare services

Some therapies and certain types of rehabilitation services can be provided in a short-term care setting. For example, an older adult may have suffered a fall that required a hospital stay. They’re well enough to be discharged from the hospital, but they’re not yet strong enough to return home.
However, some older adults are unable to return home or stay in their homes due to their health condition and may require 24-hour care and extensive assistance with their ADLs.
Retirement communities like Holly Hall in Houston offer a range of five-star-rated health care services for seniors to assist with each resident’s unique health needs.
Short-Term Rehab: For older adults who need a few days or a few weeks to recover after hospitalization, an operation, or a medical event, Holly Hall offers a full range of rehabilitation services to get them back home, doing what matters most to them. Holly Hall’s staff-to-resident ratios exceed state and federal standards. Residents have access to physical, occupational, and speech therapies seven days a week, right on the Holly Hall campus.
Extended Stays: Holly Hall also offers safe, home-like and comfortable extended-stay apartments for people undergoing longer-term therapies, such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or other medical interventions. Our proximity to the renowned Texas Medical Center makes our retirement community a convenient choice: It’s just a quick seven-minute drive from door to door. And, extended-stay residents enjoy three meals daily, plus housekeeping, transportation to and from medical appointments, and access to the full calendar of activities Holly Hall offers.
Long-Term Nursing Care: Residents who need 24-hour care and extensive assistance with their activities of daily living find remarkable care with compassion at Holly Hall. Our highly skilled staff includes an on-site medical director. Every resident has an individually focused care plan developed just for them by our certified medical staff.

Discover all the senior health services options at Holly Hall

You may not know which senior healthcare services setting is right for you or someone you love. Our professional team members at Holly Hall are happy to meet with you and your family members to help you understand the differences and discover the benefits between each level of care.
To get more information, contact us or schedule your personal tour of our retirement community.