What happens when an older adult is ready to be discharged from the hospital and needs rehabilitation in a safe and supportive environment? While this can be a time-sensitive decision, there are options available that will take the stress out of deciding between overlapping types of care and how to pay for them.
What is short-term rehabilitation?
Short-term rehabilitation care is the type of care ordered by a doctor for someone who needs extra support and supervision after a hospital stay or health setback. While it’s sometimes possible for older adults to regain physical and functional abilities on their own over time, short-term rehabilitation provides specialized care that’s designed to help a person return home quickly with as much strength and mobility as possible.
What are different types of short-term rehabilitation?
Seniors who are recovering from mild health issues usually do quite well with intermittent nursing or therapy services delivered in their home by a visiting service. They may also need to occasionally visit their doctor or attend outpatient therapy at a rehabilitation center. However, the individual must be mobile and have transportation to attend any outpatient visits.
Older seniors, those who live alone, or those who are recovering from a condition that prevents them from being discharged to their home right away will need some form of inpatient rehabilitative care. The length of stay can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks or even several months. Inpatient rehabilitative care is a high level of care overseen 24/7 by a professional team of doctors, nurses and therapists that specialize in rehabilitation medicine.
When are rehabilitation services needed?
A physician will commonly recommend rehabilitative care for one or more of the following conditions:
- stroke
- heart attack
- orthopedic surgery (e.g., knee or hip replacement)
- fracture or broken hip
- aneurysm
- brain injury
- osteoporosis
- tumor or cancer
- multiple sclerosis
- limited mobility
- swallowing issues
- pneumonia
What can I expect during a short-term rehabilitation stay?
Goals for treatment vary depending on a person’s needs, the severity of their needs, and their potential for improvement. A rehabilitation plan is customized according to your needs, physician orders and therapist recommendations. The most appropriate services are recommended by our therapy team to get you back to your best state of health as quickly as possible. Treatment may combine one or more of the following therapies:
Physical therapy — Physical therapists help seniors regain strength and mobility through physical training and exercise.
Occupational therapy — Occupational therapy helps people adapt to their social and physical environment through training in areas such as dressing, bathing, eating and grooming; activities for memory, orientation and cognitive integration; and exercises to maintain normal joint movement to reduce the effects of arthritis or other conditions.
Speech therapy — Speech and language pathologists address communication issues and swallowing dysfunction. They’ll design treatment plans to help with language ability, provide alternate communication strategies, and give appropriate diet recommendations.
At Claridge Court, your rehabilitation team includes a doctor, nurse, dietitian, and therapists who provide care, guide your rehabilitation process, and work in partnership with you and your family members. When you’re ready to return home, we’ll develop a plan that determines any equipment needs and in-home services you may require.
What do I bring for a short-term rehabilitation stay?
Bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothes for the duration of your stay. Remember to bring a bathrobe, comfortable socks or stockings, and supportive nonskid shoes or slippers that are easy to get on and off. You should also pack all the personal toiletries that you need on a daily basis. Mark all items with your name. Laundry service is included with your stay at Claridge Court.
How do I pay for care?
Most seniors pay for this care using a combination of their own funds and Medicare Part A benefits, to which limitations apply.
How do I get the most out of rehabilitative services?
While you will make a great deal of progress under the supervision of professionals during your short-term rehabilitation stay, the work you do doesn’t end there. You’ll need to keep up the exercises after you return home, so you continue to improve. At Claridge Court, you’re always welcome to visit the rehabilitation center on campus to continue outpatient therapy services.
You don’t need to live at Claridge Court to access our high-quality senior rehabilitation services. We offer direct admission for all seniors in the Kansas City area. You’ll enjoy everything our residents enjoy, including top-notch services and amenities and a location in the heart of Prairie Village. To learn more about short-term rehabilitation at our community, fill out the form below.
