Therapy


They assess physical and cognitive function, balance, pain, and risk of falls, adapting interventions to cognitive ability and daily routines. Through personalised exercise,


movement practice, and positioning, therapists help maintain strength, reduce stiffness, pressure problems, and support independence in walking, transfers, and daily activities. They can advise staff and families on safe handling, mobility aids, and environmental adaptations. Importantly, therapists use a person-centred, evidence- based approach, integrating familiar and/ or appropriate activities to encourage engagement, comfort, and dignity throughout progressive stages of dementia. This input supports wellbeing, reduces distress, and reduces dependence on care staff.


Multidisciplinary working Therapists play a key role in the multidisciplinary team within care homes. They work collaboratively with a range of health professionals, including nurses, care assistants, GPs, and families to deliver holistic care. A core aspect of their role is training and


supporting care home staff. By educating staff on safe moving and handling, mobility encouragement, use of equipment, communication strategies, and appropriate activity engagement, therapists extend their impact beyond direct patient contact. This empowers staff to incorporate therapeutic principles into everyday care. Such collaboration ensures continuity of care and promotes a culture that values


independence, rehabilitation, and dignity. This enables improved wellbeing for care home residents and staff.


Preventing hospital admissions Unplanned hospital admissions among people who live in care homes place significant strain on the NHS and can be distressing for older adults, particularly those with dementia. Hospitalisation is associated with risks such as deconditioning, infection, and further functional decline. Therapists help prevent avoidable


admissions by managing conditions proactively within the care home. Timely interventions to manage long term conditions, reduce falls risks, and support function all contribute to reducing the risk of hospital admission. By supporting residents to remain safely


in the care home, therapists contribute to system-wide efficiency and align with the Department of Health and Social Care’s aim to deliver care closer to home.


Enhancing quality of life Beyond physical health, therapists play a vital role in enhancing overall quality of life. Maintaining the ability to move around safely, communicate with people around them, engage in meaningful activities, and make choices about daily life supports dignity and self-worth. For many older adults, moving into a care


home can be challenging and associated with feelings of loss or anger.14


Therapeutic


interventions that focus on abilities, preferences, maximising independence and personal goals help residents retain a sense of identity and purpose. Therapists play a vital role in liaising


with family members, offering direct emotional support and giving advice and education throughout the stages of respite or permanent admission to a care home, through to discharge or end of life.


Policy and best practice Health and social care policy increasingly emphasises person-centred care, prevention, and integration. The involvement of AHPs in care homes aligns with frameworks such as the NHS Long Term Plan and the CQC’s focus on responsive and well-led services. Physiotherapists and occupational


therapists contribute to meeting regulatory standards by supporting safe, effective, and compassionate care. Their involvement is associated with improved outcomes, better staff confidence, and enhanced satisfaction


38 www.thecarehomeenvironment.com June 2026


Skye Ramell and Kelly Steed


As founders of Severn Physiotherapy, Skye and Kelly have a shared vision to provide local people with therapy when and where they need it. They have extensive experience working with people with a range of issues, including mobility and balance problems, anxiety about moving or falling, recovery from surgery, and neurological conditions. In 2020, Severn Physiotherapy was awarded the Bristol prestige award for physiotherapists.


for people receiving care. Physiotherapists and occupational


therapists are essential in care homes for older adults to support in maintaining function, independence, and wellbeing. Many people who love in care homes have complex needs, and therapists are well placed to support them. They are experts in promoting personalised care and dignity, goal setting, maximising mobility, communication, and function, preventing falls, and managing pain. This enables people to engage in meaningful activities, improving their sense of self-worth and reducing their dependence on care staff. These professionals provide holistic,


person-centred care that benefits people who live and work in care homes and the wider health and social care system. Their involvement reduces hospital admissions, supports multidisciplinary working, and aligns with national priorities for integrated and preventative care closer to home. As the population continues to age, the role of therapists in care homes will become increasingly vital in ensuring that older adults live not only longer, but better lives.n


References available on request


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