Physical, Occupational, & Speech Therapy

Physical therapy is focused on improving balance, mobility, functional independence, pain management and overall quality of life. If you have any of the signs below, it may be time to consider whether physical therapy might help improve your quality of life. Remember, this checklist is meant to be helpful, but most interventions begin with a referral from your physician, so don’t hesitate to chat with your caregivers about whether these interventions might be appropriate for you.

• I worry I’ll fall
• I sometimes feel dizzy
• I wear glasses
• I’ve fallen in the past 6 months
• I take several prescription medications
• I often feel depressed or hopeless
• I exercise vigorously
• I sometimes feel unsteady walking
• It’s hard for me to get up from a chair or the couch
• I take extra care getting ready in the morning because I feel off-balance

Occupational therapy is focused on improving your ability to carry out activities of daily living, or ADL’s. If you have any of the signs below, it may be time to consider whether occupational therapy could be beneficial for you. Remember, this checklist is meant to be helpful, but most interventions begin with a referral from your physician, so don’t hesitate to chat with your caregivers about whether these interventions might be appropriate for you.

• I’m weak from illness or injury
• I’m tired, short of breath, or have trouble doing tasks that used to be simple for me.
• I struggle to bathe, dress, eat, or use the restroom without assistance.
• It’s hard for me to get in and out of chairs, in and out of bed, or in and out of the shower.
• I have fallen frequently, or lose my balance doing certain tasks like tying my shoes.
• I can’t see well
• I have pain when I do certain functional tasks, like buttoning a shirt.
• I use an assistive device.
• I am more dependent on a family or caregiver.

Speech Language Pathology, or Speech Therapy, can be helpful in assessing, diagnosing, or treating disorders related to speech, language, communication, cognition, and swallowing. If you have any of the signs below, it may be time to consider whether Speech Language Pathology is appropriate. Remember, this checklist is meant to be helpful, but most interventions begin with a referral from your physician, so don’t hesitate to chat with your caregivers about whether these interventions might be appropriate for you.

• I can’t chew or swallow properly
• I often cough when I eat or drink
• I don’t have much appetite anymore
• I’ve lost quite a bit of weight
• I struggle with carrying on a conversation
• I don’t communicate as much anymore
• I feel confused and have trouble remembering
• My voice is much higher or lower than before
• I have a hoarse or harsh sound to my voice