Therapy
Enhancing wellbeing: integrating therapy into care home design
Sheena Cunnington, a nursing specialist who works closely with Quality Compliance Systems (QCS), explores twelve types of therapy, their benefits, and how they can be incorporated into environmental design and daily routine
Care homes provide essential care for older adults, often living with chronic conditions, cognitive impairments, and mobility limitations. As our ageing population grows, the care sector faces increasing pressure to offer care that goes beyond assistance with activities of daily living. I believe a key approach to meeting this challenge and improving quality of life for residents is to incorporate therapeutic approaches into the care environment. There is a wealth of evidence showing that various forms of therapy can address a wide range of physical, cognitive, and emotional needs, promoting overall wellbeing.
1. Physiotherapy Physiotherapy focuses on helping residents recover from injury, improve mobility, and prevent further physical decline. Physiotherapists assess mobility, gait, balance, strength, flexibility, posture, pain, and overall physical function to improve movement and independence. They develop tailored programmes aimed at improving strength, balance, and flexibility. Common interventions include: n Strengthening exercises: tailored to the needs of each resident, exercises focus on building muscle strength to improve walking, standing, and sitting.
n Balance and coordination training: designed to reduce the risk of falls, a significant concern for many older people. These exercises often involve weight-shifting, walking on uneven surfaces, or simple balance exercises using support bars or other equipment.
2. Other movement-based therapies Along with physiotherapy, there are other movement-based therapies that are beneficial, especially for those with limited mobility or chronic conditions like arthritis.
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These include: n Chair yoga: a form of yoga practiced while seated, helping to improve flexibility, reduce stress, and enhance joint mobility without requiring residents to get onto the floor.
n Tai Chi: a low-impact martial art that focuses on slow, deliberate movements. It is known for improving balance, reducing anxiety, and increasing joint flexibility.
n Dancing or dance therapy: group dance activities tailored to residents’ abilities can improve coordination, encourage socialisation, and boost mood. These therapies can be part of daily routines or activities, individually or in groups, to
Therapy can address a wide range of physical, cognitive, and emotional needs
help residents maintain or improve physical function and quality of life.
Some centres are lucky enough to have
a dedicated physio room, but for those that do not, communal areas that promote group activities and socialisation can be used for physio and movement-based therapeutic activities.
3. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) CST can help in maintaining mental function and providing mental and emotional engagement. It is an evidence- based intervention that encourages residents to participate in mental exercises aimed at maintaining cognitive function. CST is developed for individuals with mild to moderate dementia, involving participation in: n Memory games: activities such as recalling momentous events, or places can help residents maintain cognitive abilities.
n Word games and puzzles: crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, or other
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com July 2025
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