What's the difference in the kinds of therapy available and what do the therapists do?

The National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation designates a week to educate people about the benefits and impact of rehabilitation. Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech Language Pathologists all work together to help individuals overcome obstacles and accomplish normal tasks of daily living.

Physical Therapy:Physical therapists are experts in the examination and treatment of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular problems that affect peoples’ abilities to move the way they want and function as well as they want in their daily lives.

When do you need physical therapy?

• Low back pain
• Neck pain
• Knee, ankle or foot problems
• Sprains and muscle strains
• Arthritis
• Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Rehabilitation after a serious injury
• Chronic respiratory problems
• Stroke rehabilitation
• Shoulder problems
• Problems with balance
• Hip fractures
• Incontinence

Occupational Therapy:Occupational therapy uses goal-directed activity in the evaluation and treatment of persons whose ability to function is impaired by normal aging, illness, injury or developmental disability. Treatment goals in occupational therapy include the promotion of functional independence and prevention of disability.

Who should receive occupational therapy?

• Individuals who have limitations in their abilities to carry out self-care
activities
• Individuals whose strength and endurance are at risk
• Individuals whose ability to function in the community has been impaired
• Individuals whose physical, cognitive, or psychological problems prevent
them from achieving tasks that are currently important to them
• Limitations following a stroke or heart attack
• Arthritis, multiple sclerosis, other chronic conditions, mental health
problems including Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress


Speech Therapy:Speech language pathology, also known as Speech Therapy, is the study, diagnosis, and treatment of defects and disorders of the voice and of spoken and written communication. Speech therapy also evaluates and treats neurological and physical disorders and conditions caused by an injury or illness.

Who should receive speech therapy?
• Individuals that have swallowing difficulties
• Individuals who have trouble with memory or have increased confusion
• Individuals who cannot follow simple commands or have trouble understanding
• Individuals who cannot formulate words and sentences correctly
• Individuals who have slurred speech, are very hoarse, or strain to talk
• Individuals who are having trouble reading and writing
• Individuals that have lip, mouth or tongue weakness, lack of coordination or
decreased range of motion


If you would like to learn how therapy can benefit you or a loved one, please contact our Therapy Department at the Franklin United Methodist Community.

Our Garden Memory Care Apartments are assisted living accommodations provided for those who are experiencing the effects of an early stage of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. The lovely area was recently renovated and opened to the first residents who are enjoying the secured environment, but have access to the outdoors via the Sunken Gardens. This gives them the chance to plant flowers and enjoy the nice, but unpredictable, Indiana weather. Special activities and services make this the perfect starting point for residents who have some memory impairment, but still function fairly independently.

Grandparents who live at the Franklin United Methodist Community love to have their grandchildren come and visit. They can stay overnight or just visit for the day. Many times, they wander the campus and spend time fishing at the pond, playing billiards in the pool room, hitting tennis balls back and forth, or using the swimming pool. Now, thanks to a generous charitable gift from a couple, a new playground swing set and climbing ladder has been added for their enjoyment. Professionally built and installed by a commercial playground company, the swings will even hold a Grandpa or Grandma who wants to swing with their special child. It's just one more way that we want to "provide a retirement experience filled with well-being and wholeness".

We were pleased to have an opportunity to have a display in the Hospitality Tent on the grounds of Ball State University for the Annual Conference meeting of the Indiana United Methodist Church.

Many friends, both pastors and lay representatives, to the Annual Conference event stopped by to greet us and find out what is new on campus. It was fun to see old friends and renew acquaintances, while meeting others who were hearing about our great retirement community for the very first time.

The Franklin United Methodist Community will host two events to help persons wanting to sell their home so they can move forward with their retirement plans.

The Lunch, Learn and Live sessions will occur on Friday, May 20th and on Thursday, June 2nd. Each of these identical sessions will offer a complimentary lunch while a local real estate expert will share the secrets of being a smart seller in today’s market. Also,for those who are considering what living options are available, professionals from the Community will update the many opportunities available for senior living.

Broker/Owner of Tomorrow Realty, Inc., Judy Hoeping, will identify current trends and tips for getting your house sold for the right price. Space is limited and reservations for your preferred date can be made by calling 317-736-7185.

The Franklin United Methodist Community is a 5-Star rated, accredited continuing care retirement community on a 120-acre campus, located on Highway 44 (Jefferson Street) across from Johnson Memorial Hospital in Franklin.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, one in two women and one in four men age 50 and older will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to weak and brittle bones. Breaking a bone is serious, especially when you’re older, broken bones can cause severe pain that may not go away. Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans.

Certain people are more likely to develop osteoporosis than others. Factors that put you at risk and are difficult to change include:

a) Gender: Women have lighter, thinner bones than men. One in two women over age 50 will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture.

b) Age: Osteoporosis can affect people of all ages, but it is far more common in older people than younger people. As we age, we lose bone density and some of us will lose more bone than others.

c) Family History: Heredity and genetics play a major role in osteoporosis and broken bones. If either of your parents had a history of broken bones, you are more likely to break a bone.

Lifestyle changes are your first line of defense to prevent osteoporosis. A few of the lifestyle factors that affect bone health include: Calcium & Vitamin D: Calcium is the building block of bone and Vitamin D helps your body use calcium. Adults age 50 and older need a total of 1200 mg of calcium and 800-1000 IU of vitamin D every day.

Eating Fruits and Vegetables: Eating a well-balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, is important for healthy bones. In addition to calcium and vitamin D, magnesium, potassium and vitamin K are a few of the many minerals and vitamins that are important for bone health.

Exercise: Certain types of regular exercise can help keep your bones strong. These include weight-bearing exercises such as fast walking and muscle-strengthening exercises.

Smoking & Alcohol: The chemicals in cigarettes are bad for your bone cells and can make it harder to absorb calcium. Consuming heavy amounts of alcohol can reduce bone formation and affects the body’s calcium supply.

Physical therapists are trained experts on preventing and treating osteoporosis. Physical therapy can help prevent osteoporosis as well as reduce falls and injuries for those diagnosed with the disease.

Therapy goals for preventing and treating osteoporosis include:
• Maintain or increase bone mass density
• Improve muscle strength, balance and cardiovascular fitness
• Improve posture
• Improve psychological well-being
• Prevent fractures
• Reduce falls
• Provide education

For more information, please contact our FUMC therapy department.

References: National Osteoporosis Foundation

Today we shared with our department directors thank you notes and cards from five different families. All five of these were for experiences in our Rehab Services area, as well as one who also experienced our long-term care health center.

Here's a few of the excerpts from their written thank yous:

"The work that you do, with such dedication, is priceless . . ."

"We appreciated all your thoughts and time you helped with our mother."

"The care (our mother) received by the third floor rehab nurses and staff was unprecedented. Every need was met. Her care was top notch."

And finally, one of my favorites read today describes who we really care for and how many lives are touched by what we do.

"We all truly appreciate everything you do for our baby sister, sister-in-law, friend, Aunt, Wife, Mother, Grand-Mother. She's all this and more - so thank you for caring for her".

The card is signed by 13 members of the family.