If you aren’t ready to return home from the hospital after a major surgery, illness, or injury, your doctor may recommend that you receive treatment in a rehabilitation center to enhance your recovery. What some families don’t realize is that they have options when it comes to selecting a rehabilitation center to receive treatment. Typically, rehabilitation services can be provided through outpatient care, inpatient care, and at-home care.
Short-term rehab care at an inpatient rehabilitation center is an ideal choice for patients recovering from cardiac procedures, knee or hip replacement surgery, stroke, falls, accidents, and other major illnesses. If you or a loved one are looking for the right rehabilitation care after a major hospital stay, consider these three benefits of short term rehab care.
A comprehensive approach to rehabilitation
Unlike outpatient or at-home rehabilitation, short-term rehabilitation centers offer around the clock care from an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and dieticians. In short-term rehab care, older adults receive daily treatment that is customized to their needs. This comprehensive approach to rehabilitation often helps to speed up the recovery process and produce lasting results.
Modern comforts
Short-term rehab centers in retirement communities allow older adults access to numerous amenities and comforts. Options like private rooms and bathrooms, multiple dining options, and on-campus amenities like beauty salons and barbershops make short-term rehab care a comfortable “home away from home.” Many older adults enjoy the welcoming, warm environment of a short-term rehab center, especially after a long stay in a hospital.
Community activities and events
Most people are eager to enjoy the company of others after a long hospital visit. Loneliness and isolation are major problems among older adults and the time spent recovering from a major illness or injury may exacerbate these issues. However, with short-term rehab care in a retirement community, older adults can enjoy socializing with others through community dining and scheduled group activities. Relatives and friends are also welcome to visit their loved ones in short-term rehab care, which can help ease feelings of loneliness and motivate older adults throughout their recovery.
As you or a loved one face the road to recovery after a hospital stay, keep in mind that you have many options when selecting a rehabilitation program. Many facilities will even allow older adults to reserve their place prior to a scheduled surgery or procedure. If you’re looking for the right rehab option after a major injury or illness, short-term rehab care is a great choice for older adults who need more time before transitioning from hospital to home.
