If a short period of rehabilitation, such as physical or occupational therapy, is in your future, you may be considering in-home rehabilitation services. How do you know if rehabilitation care at home is best for your situation, or if you should consider a rehabilitation center? The questions below can help guide your decision.
Do you have caregivers at home, and how many hours a day are they available?
Whether you’re planning for surgery or you require some therapy after an illness, it’s best to be realistic about exactly what you will need when you first arrive home. Many patients require a constant caregiver for at least a few days to assist with activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and meal prep.
- If you are relying on a spouse as a caregiver, are they working part of the day?
- If you live alone, can a family member or friend stay with you around the clock until you are able to manage alone safely?
- Talk with your physician ahead of any planned surgery about what to expect in terms of functional capacity once you are discharged from the hospital.
What kind of assistive devices do you need, and can you maneuver with them in your home?
You may need to strengthen muscles and build up endurance before you are able to walk, sit, stand, and bend without using an assistive device.
- Will you temporarily require crutches, a walker, or a cane?
- If so, can you navigate to the essential areas of your house using these devices?
- Stairs, certain bathroom configurations, and narrow hallways and doorways can make using an assistive device impossible or challenging.
What does a physical therapy assessment say about your fall risk and safety?
If you’re preparing to leave the hospital after surgery or an illness, a physical therapy assessment can help determine a number of safety factors that may impact whether you receive rehabilitation at home or within a center. The assessment will look at activities of daily living, such as getting out of bed, getting dressed, going to the bathroom, taking a bath or shower, and more. After an assessment, you’ll learn:
- What activities you can do alone safely
- Activities where you need help to prevent falling
- Factors that make you at risk for falling
Exploring Short-Term Rehabilitation Options
If you’ve considered the questions above and are not sure in-home rehabilitation is the best option for your needs, you can explore short-term rehabilitation centers, sometimes called transitional rehab. Centers offer intensive, individualized therapy designed to help get you to your fullest functional potential. You’ll have care from experienced professionals around the clock to meet not only rehab goals but help with activities of daily living and medication needs.
For more guidance in making a decision about rehabilitation care, download our free guide, The Road Back to Mobility: Selecting Short-Term Rehabilitation Services. You’ll discover key questions to ask potential rehabilitation providers and how to assess your environment.
Transitional Rehab at Pennybyrn
Rehabilitation services at Pennybyrn are designed to help patients recover more quickly while also preventing complications or relapses in healing. Patients not only regain strength and mobility, but are able to relax, renew, and recover in an environment of compassionate care and gracious hospitality.