When Rehabilitation Is Needed For Seniors

Assisted living facilities in the Hinesdale area can help you know when rehabilitation is needed for seniors through assessment. This can speed recovery and preserve autonomy.The goal of rehabilitation for seniors is to help restore them to maximum functioning after a medical trauma, injury, or fall. Assisted-living facilities are often the site of rehab for seniors that are unable to safely return to their living situation, but that could be prepared with treatment, intervention, and support. Another important element of rehab services is the assistance provided to the senior in making the transition home, including provision of case management, home health care, and follow-up appointments with providers. Senior Living Experts can point toward an assisted-living facility near you for assessment and possible referral for rehabilitative services.

Assisted living facilities in the Hinesdale area can help you know when rehabilitation is needed for seniors

During the assessment, a determination will be made regarding whether the stay will be short-term or long-term. Short-term rehab typically lasts from a couple days to a month or longer with the aim of returning the patient home as quickly as possible. Long-term rehabilitation could last for months, depending on the severity of the underlying reason for the stay. Regardless of the duration, rehab may involve treatment from physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and specialized physicians.Some situations that merit time in a rehabilitative care center include:

Broken bones and fractures

Around 300,000 people fracture a hip each year in this country; when this occurs, surgery is often involved. Rehab stays provide post-op care in addition to physical therapy to regain mobility and function. It may be too difficult for the senior to fend for themselves after this medical episode, or they may lack support at-home to ensure assistance with activities of daily living. Furthermore, a hip fracture can lead to a host of other serious medical issues, particularly without medical intervention and care.

Joint injury or replacement

Seniors recovering from joint injury or replacement may step-down to a rehab facility for treatment. For example, arthritis impacts 40-million people in this country. Limited mobility, chronic pain, and inflammation are some of the symptoms of arthritis that rehab can help. A physician at the assisted-living will likely reach-out to a rheumatologist for consult, assessment, or intervention during the rehab stay.

Amputation

Another time for rehab is following an amputation. It is estimated that there are 185,000 amputations each year, in addition to the two-million amputees in the United States alone. This number is expected to increase two-fold by 2050, which makes the need for rehabilitation services and facilities a growing demand. Diabetes affects around 12-million seniors over the age of 65, and over 50% of amputations are related to complications from this debilitating disease. Rehab services may focus on both physical therapy to treat the amputee as well as emotional therapy to help the patient adjust to their new circumstances.

Neurological disease

Neurological disorders, diseases, and conditions are another reason a senior may have rehabilitation. Aneurysms, Parkinson's disease, brain injury, and stroke are a few of the diagnoses that could benefit from short or long-term rehab. Around 400,000 people in the US suffer from Muscular Sclerosis, which impacts the neurological system, and that could be referred for rehab at some point in the progression of their disease.

Cancer or tumors

Individuals undergoing cancer treatment or enduring biopsies of surgery for tumors will benefit from a stay in rehab. Support during this difficult time can make the difference in how quickly the senior bounces back after treatment or hospitalization. Plus, in-patient or residential rehab can improve prognoses among cancer patients by providing the perfect platform for an interdisciplinary approach to treatment, which can speed recovery and improve outcomes. The access to specialized providers and engagement of family in a recuperative setting creates a comprehensive treatment plan that can give the patient the best possible chance for full recovery.

Access resources that can help find rehabilitation for your senior

Assisted-living facilities are the first place to go when wondering about rehab service provision. Your medical provider may refer or you can inquire by speaking to staff and setting-up consults or appointments. Whether you are in need of short-term or long-term treatment, rehab stays will get you on the road to recovery quick and going home as soon as possible.Rehab is merely another tool and resource that seniors can access in times of need. Rehab stays can preserve the independence and autonomy of older individuals by helping them recuperate quicker, recovery swiftly, and return home fast following a medical issue, injury, or trauma. Senior Living Experts can connect you with assisted-living facilities that may deem rehab a pragmatic treatment option with the goal of restoring the senior to their optimal level of function before going home.