Does My Elderly Parent Need In-patient Rehabilitation?

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When a family member suffers a serious fall, injury or medical trauma, they may need to live at a rehabilitation center for a period of time to fully recover. Inpatient rehabilitation in a residential setting, like Senior Rehab at Limestone Health Facility, may be the perfect solution to a quicker and fuller recovery. Centers like Senior Rehab provide around-the-clock treatment and supervision which is critical to avoiding falls and further injuries that can impede recovery. The patient’s progress is continuously monitored, and in many cases, inpatient treatment programs offer a better chance of successful rehabilitation. The goal is to help the patient return to his/her maximum functional potential after suffering a life-altering event.

The types of conditions that are best treated in an in-patient setting like Senior Rehab include:

1. Fracture or broken hip

2. Joint injury or replacement

3. Aneurysm

4. Parkinson’s Disease

5. Neurological conditions

6. Stroke

7. Arthritis of the spine and other joints

8. Brain injury

9. Tumor/Cancer

10. Multiple Sclerosis

11. Nerve impingement

12. Amputation

13. Recovery after surgery

Senior Rehab at Limestone Health Facility’s staff of skilled professionals includes a rehab physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, rehab nurses and a social worker. Together they design individualized treatment plans for patients ranging from re-gaining communication skills, improving mobility, strength and muscle function (for using wheelchairs and walkers), to carrying out daily activities such as bathing and dressing. Nutritional concerns are addressed as well, so that when a patient leaves Senior Rehab, they are on track to better care for themselves and their diet at home. Trained staff are available to provide educational and emotional support too, which helps patients cope with the sudden changes that illness or injury can bring.

Treatments are broken down into three main categories:

1. Physical Therapy (PT) – can help enhance mobility and quality of life by improving strength, balance, endurance, flexibility and posture. Physical therapy can maximize one’s ability to get around at home and community, as well as participate in favorite recreational activities.

2. Occupational Therapy (OT) – can focuses on your ability to fulfill our “occupations.” So for your parent, the roles could include mother, spouse, homemaker, grandparent, caregiver, or bridge player. Generally, OT assists with the ability to perform Activities of Daily Living, (ADLs) such as getting dressed, toileting and bathing as well as Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, (IADLs) such as driving, shopping, cooking and recreational activities.

3. Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) – can boost a person’s ability to communicate and swallow. In our society, it’s a common comfort to sit down and have a great conversation with family and friends over a great meal. That requires two essential skills: the ability to eat and swallow safely, and the ability to communicate. Both are absolutely critical to a good overall quality of life. Nearly all activities of daily life require us to communicate, interact, and process information. Communication skills are necessary not only to convey wants and needs, but to socialize and connect with others.

A Typical Day in Rehab at Limestone Rehab Center

At the Senior Rehab Center, patients typically have a very structured day. Part of the day is devoted to follow-up medical care which is designed to address ongoing physical issues, and part of the day involves physical and occupational therapy to help the patient build up strength and skills. But rehabilitation isn’t all work, it’s play too. Senior Rehab patients are encouraged to participate in stimulating activity through a busy calendar. Scheduled social programs are geared toward duplicating the strengths and skills patients need to develop for quality of life in an independent setting. Morning coffees, afternoon teas and ice cream socials bring patients and their guests together for refreshing interaction. Family members and others involved in their support system are welcome to join in social programs and daily living activities at the center.

If you or your loved one needs rehabilitation after surgery or illness, call Edie Belue, Admissions Director, and Edie can answer any questions you may have and assist with all the arrangements. Our goal is get patients back to living healthy, independently, and safely as soon as possible. Call us today at 256-232-3461.

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