Getting injured is never fun, but sustaining a serious injury can be a life-changing experience. Whether you had a small fracture while out and about or you were in a serious accident, rehabilitation can be an absolute game-changer in the outlook of your long-term recovery.
Short-term rehabilitation is a great treatment for those in between their hospital stay and returning to their normal activity levels.
Many patients who are in recovery from strokes, surgeries, illnesses, and accidents are not ready to return directly to the life they used to lead but are still strong enough to leave their hospital stay. An intermediary stay at a short-term rehabilitation facility could be a crucial step in ensuring that you avoid readmittance to the hospital and the costs associated with an additional hospital stay.
This blog will teach you the basics of short-term rehab and the best way to find success in your treatment.
What is Short-Term Rehab?
Short-term rehabilitation is a style of care, usually consisting of around-the-clock medical services aimed at assisting a patient in recovering from an illness, surgery, or accident.
The amount of time and therapy needed will differ based on your direct needs, but most short-term stays only last a few weeks on average. While the average is relatively short, there are rare cases where the amount of inpatient care needed will warrant a stay of up to 100 days.
Even in the longest cases, the inpatient facility for short-term rehab is designed to be a much more freeing and comfortable stay than in your stand facility.
The main goal of any of these facilities is to use physical, occupational, and speech therapy to gradually work you or a loved one back to the position of better health. Naturally, as you improve, your treatment plan can become less intense and feel more like everyday life.
So how do you reach that point of success? Below are a few key steps you must take to recover as soon as possible.
Create a Rehabilitation Plan with Your Doctor Early
The goal of any hospital stay is to nurse you back to health but not always rehabilitate you. As you are reaching the end of your hospital stay, it would be a good idea to begin to discuss your potential needs for a rehabilitation plan.
If the team at the hospital recommends short-term rehab, then discussing this plan with your primary care doctor may also be a good idea, especially if the hospital you are staying at is out of the way.
This way, you can begin to find a local facility that will suit your needs while also receiving valuable information about the potential cost and duration of your stay.
Take Your Treatment Seriously
No matter your age, taking your treatment seriously will better ensure your overall improvement and make a big difference in the long run.
Your treatment is just like a prescribed medication, where a failure to follow directions will result in diminished results and the potential for additional issues down the line. Even though it is short-term, your rehabilitation is meant to build strength through exercises and therapy and should be conducted as directed.
This also applies beyond your stay at an inpatient facility. Your physical or occupational therapy may be suggested for the weeks and months following your stay.
Those who are advanced in age, have limited mobility, or feel unsatisfied with their rehabilitation should seriously consider following through with this care. It will often help create a healthy lifestyle to complement your replenished strength, setting you on a path for greater quality of life in the long term.
Seek Out Continuous Care If Needed
There is always the chance that your injury has delivered a chronic injury that will be difficult to recover from fully. As difficult as this may be to grasp, acknowledging your new situation openly and honestly will go a long way in redefining what a healthy life looks like for you.
If your injury requires assistance beyond what your time in short-term rehab provided, seeking out in-home assistance may be a great idea for you! Your in-home care can be tailored to your needs and be as simple as a weekly visit.
Celebrate Your Recovery!
Regardless of the severity of your injury or the length of your stay, it is important to recognize how far you have come. Taking steps to improve your health and well-being is not always easy, especially when the road ahead may seem tough.
Remember to celebrate your small victories as well as the larger goals in your recovery journey! Stay focused on your goals.