Tag: rehab

  • Skilled Nursing Care After a Hospital Stay

    Seniors who experience a fall or stroke, or undergo surgery may be surprised they can be discharged from the hospital fairly quickly. That’s good and bad news. Seniors may be happy to leave the hospital but may then be disappointed to learn they cannot return home.

    They often must first receive ongoing, skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services, such as physical, occupational or speech therapy. Depending on their condition and other various factors, this could be a short-term stay or a longer stay.

    Family caregivers may want their loved one at home, but may not have the capability to provide the specialized care their loved one needs.

    Seniors and their caregivers must make decisions quickly regarding finding a skilled nursing facility. Many may not know where to turn.

    Since each of us will likely need long-term care at some point in our lives, we should identify potential facilities we prefer well before our actual time of need.

    It is wise to do this homework in advance to help alleviate undue stress at an already stressful time.

    KALĀKAUA GARDENS
    1723 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI 96826
    808-518-2273 | Ruth.Kawano@kalakauagardens.com
    www.kalakauagardens.com

    Seniors who experience a fall or stroke, or undergo surgery may be surprised they can be discharged from the hospital fairly quickly. That’s good and bad news. Seniors may be happy to leave the hospital but may then be disappointed to learn they cannot return home.

  • Benefits of Diaphragmatic Breathing

    Our fast-paced lifestyles have caused many of us to lose the ability to use our main respiratory muscle, the large dome-shaped diaphragm, to breathe. Instead, we use our shoulders, upper chest, neck and back muscles, causing rapid, shallow breaths.

    Diaphragmatic breathing is beneficial for your physical and mental health as it reduces stress, lowers heart rate and blood pressure. For those with pulmonary disease, such as COPD, the diaphragm often becomes weakened causing it to work less efficiently. A physical therapist experienced in pulmonary rehab can teach proper breathing to reduce anxiety, slow breathing rate, increase full oxygen exchange, and improve physical activity. Because part of the core is the diaphragm, in physical therapy, breathing is also essential to proper posture and core stability.

    Diaphragmatic breathing is one of simplest things you can do to improve your overall health and well-being.

    • Lie or sit, place one hand on the upper chest and the other below the rib cage.
    • Breathe in slowly through the nose so the stomach moves out against your hand. The hand on your chest should remain still.
    • Breathe out through pursed lips as you relax the diaphragm, letting it fall inward.
    • Inhale for 4 seconds; exhale for 6; 10 times.

    MOON PHYSICAL THERAPY, LLC
    320 Ward Ave., Ste. 107, Honolulu HI 96814
    95-1057 Ainamakua Dr., F-11, Mililani HI 96789
    808-597-1005 | www.moonpt.com

    Diaphragmatic breathing is beneficial for your physical and mental health as it reduces stress, lowers heart rate and blood pressure. For those with pulmonary disease, such as COPD, the diaphragm often becomes weakened causing it to work less efficiently. A physical therapist experienced in pulmonary rehab can teach proper breathing to reduce anxiety, slow breathing…