When a health crisis hits—like a stroke, a fall, or a surgery—the road to recovery can feel like an uphill battle. But what if the best care didn't require a long stay in a cold, clinical setting?

In this episode of Navigating Eldercare, host Laura Daniels sits down with Tiffany Gold, occupational therapist and founder of Rise Up Rehab, to demystify the world of geriatric therapy. Together, they explore how specialized Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapy can be brought directly to a senior’s home or assisted living community to achieve life-changing results.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The Three Pillars of Rehab: The distinct roles of Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapy (and why Speech therapy is about much more than just talking).

• Outpatient vs. Home Health: Why "mobile" outpatient therapy often offers more frequent visits and better outcomes than traditional home health nursing.

• Navigating the Process: How to obtain a physician’s order and take the stress of insurance paperwork off your family’s plate.

• Stories of Hope: Real-life accounts of seniors who regained their independence—including an architect returning to work after an aneurysm and a stroke survivor returning home after three years of dedication.

• The "Three Refusal" Rule: How Rise Up Rehab uses a patient, respectful approach to keep seniors motivated even on their "off" days.

To help your listeners navigate this information-packed episode, here are the timestamped chapters. These are perfect for your YouTube description or podcast show notes to improve "scannability" and SEO.

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Navigating Eldercare Meet your host, Laura Daniels, and learn about her mission at Care Advocates to simplify the overwhelming process of senior transitions.

01:30 – Meeting Tiffany Gold & Rise Up Rehab An introduction to Tiffany Gold and her 20-year journey from volunteer work to founding a specialized geriatric therapy practice.

02:40 – The Vision Behind In-Home Therapy Why Tiffany left the traditional "skilled nursing facility" setting to provide higher-impact care in patients' own homes and assisted living communities.

03:45 – Where Care Happens: Mobile vs. Clinic A look at the settings where Rise Up Rehab operates, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and their outpatient clinics.

04:40 – Qualifying for Therapy & The Physician’s Order Dispelling myths about how to start therapy and how the Rise Up Rehab team handles the "paperwork stress" of getting doctor referrals.

06:20 – PT, OT, and Speech: What’s the Difference? A deep dive into the three disciplines:

• Physical Therapy (PT): Strength, balance, and walking.

• Occupational Therapy (OT): Activities of daily living (dressing, bathing, and grooming).

• Speech Therapy (ST): Beyond talking—addressing cognition, memory, and swallowing safety.

09:15 – Miracle Stories: Recovery After Aneurysm and Stroke Two powerful case studies of patients who defied the odds—including an architect returning to work and a blind stroke survivor regaining total independence.

12:00 – The Benefit of On-Site Therapy in Senior Living Why choosing a facility with "in-house" therapy is a game-changer for recovery speed and long-term independence.

13:45 – A Collaborative Approach to Care How therapists work alongside families, nurses, and facility managers to ensure everyone is on the same page.

15:30 – Outpatient vs. Home Health: The Vital Differences A critical comparison of why mobile outpatient therapy often offers more frequent visits and better outcomes than traditional home health episodes.

18:40 – The "Three Refusal" Rule & The Power of Patience How a specialized geriatric approach (and a little extra persistence) helps seniors succeed even when they don't feel like exercising.

20:15 – Treating Every Patient Like Family Tiffany shares her personal motto and how her hiring process ensures every therapist leads with love and passion.

24:10 – Conclusion & Resources How to contact Laura Daniels for care advocacy and Tiffany Gold for therapy services in the San Antonio area.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.