How to Choose an Outpatient After-Surgery Rehab Center

When you or a loved one requires short-term rehabilitation after a hospital stay, finding the ideal center can be a challenging and time-consuming process. Selecting the right senior rehab facility is crucial to ensuring the best possible care and support during the recovery period. To help in making an informed choice, consider asking the following questions:Availability of Openings and Anticipated Discharges: Inquire about the facility's current availability for new patients and ask about anticipated discharges in the near future. This will give you insight into the center's capacity and when the rehabilitation program may begin.Insurance Coverage and Preapproval Process: Confirm that your insurance is accepted at the facility and learn about the steps required for coverage preapproval. The admissions staff should assist in determining if they are in-network for your insurance plan or help you find out.Staff Specialization: Inquire about the staff's proficiencies, particularly in areas like wound care and orthopedic treatment, which are generally considered standard aspects of care. Additionally, verify the facilitys accreditation from well-regarded organizations such as The Joint Commission (TJC) and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), among others, to ensure the facility adheres to established healthcare standards.Therapy Sessions and Patient Care: Inquire about the amount of therapy patients typically receive. While frequency and duration will, of course, vary based on individual care plans, you may wish to ask to get a general sense.Staff-to-Patient Ratio: Learn about the staff-to-patient ratio on each shift, including the number of Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Certified Nursing Assistants compared to the patient capacity. A lower ratio often indicates more personalized care.Treatment Team Members: Find out about the other professionals involved in the recovery process besides the nursing team. Will there be a physiatrist, respiratory therapist, or wound care team available to assist in the rehabilitation care plan?Essential Items and Amenities: Check which items should be brought from home and what amenities the facility provides. For instance, the center may suggest bringing sturdy shoes and layered clothing options, among other things.Involvement of Family in Care Planning: Inquire about dates and times for regularly scheduled care planning meetings. Involving loved ones in the care-planning process is important for effective rehabilitation. Outpatient Therapy and Post-Rehab Services: Find out if the facility offers outpatient therapy and inquire about their process for setting up in-home services if needed after the short-term rehab stay is complete. Understanding these options will help you plan for life after rehabilitation.Choosing the right short-term senior rehab center requires thorough research and careful consideration. By asking the above questions and assessing the facility's capabilities, you can ensure that you or your loved one receives the care and support needed for a successful recovery. Always take the time to visit the facility, meet the staff, and get a sense of the environment to make the most informed decision.(Sidebar):How Short-Term Rehab Makes a Difference Highly skilled and qualified staff members are available 24/7 to provide continuous medical check-ups following a hospital stay, reducing the likelihood of returning to the hospital. A dedicated team of therapists and nursing staff can create a comprehensive recovery plan that addresses each residents specific needs, capabilities, and health goals. Continuous care and monitoring encompassing physical therapy, pain management, and nutritional guidance can help prevent setbacks and ensure a faster recovery. Nurses and therapists work together to facilitate a smooth transition back to regular life helping patients regain their confidence and independence while safeguarding against potential risks. Families stay involved in their loved ones healing journey and remain well-informed about the medical status, challenges, and personalized care plans and routines, working with rehab specialists toward a successful recovery.Were here to help. We welcome the opportunity to provide you with information about Mary Ann Morse Outpatient & Short-Term Inpatient Rehabilitation Services or answer any questions. Contact us at 508-433-4400 and outpatient@maryannmorse.org, or visit us at Short-Term Rehabilitation | Mary Ann Morse Healthcare Center.

Common Physical Rehabilitation Therapies for SeniorsAs we get older, life can throw some challenges our way that make it harder to stay active and do the things we love to do. Exercising, participating in outdoor activities or even performing simple household chores can sometimes result in injury, even if youre doing your best to prevent it. You could be playing tennis one day, and when you get home, youve suddenly got pain in your elbow that lasts for weeks. Or maybe you were raking your garden when you realized your back was giving you trouble.At CC Young, we are committed to providing a wide range of physical rehabilitation therapies that can strengthen and offer you relief. Our comprehensive continuum of care includes outpatient, inpatient and home healthcare. Whether you recently came home from the hospital following a surgery, or youre dealing with pesky back or knee pain, our experienced teams of occupational, speech and physical therapists are here to help you get back on track. Our goal is to provide seniors the therapeutic support they need to regain their independence and transition back to daily living activities smoothly.Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab DefinedInpatient  The physical, occupational, or speech therapy care you receive while in the hospital to prepare you to transition home.Outpatient  When recovering from an injury or illness, you may need additional therapy when you leave the hospital. This may take place in your home or a rehab facility, with the goal being to help you heal and return to daily living activities.Why is Rehab Important?Sometimes people try to avoid physical therapy and rehab, believing they will be fine without it. Its important to follow the instructions of your doctor or medical team and get the care your body needs early on. Physical and occupational therapists have a toolbox of ways to get you back to full functionality. Skipping this step could result in permanent damage to your joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and possibly your overall posture, resulting in more pain and suffering in the long run.Common Physical Rehabilitation Therapies for SeniorsWorking with team of rehab experts who specialize in therapies for seniors can give you a better chance to prolong your longevity and comfort levels over time. Here are some therapy options you can expect in a community like CC Young.WalkingSometimes simple movement is the best therapy. This is especially true if your range of motion is limited. The gentle, natural movement of walking is one of the best ways to condition your body to perform again, whether youve been through physical trauma or just overdid it in your backyard.StretchingIf you have a muscle spasm or even just tight muscles, stretching is a great way to alleviate pain and stiffness. Our physical rehabilitation therapies include guided stretching sessions to help you loosen up sore muscles without injuring them further.Resistance TrainingAnother therapy that can help you regain your former strength is resistance training. Using weights and resistance bands, our therapists will guide you through the best exercises to help relieve your pain and rejuvenate your muscles so you can be active again.Aquatic TherapySome exercises are best performed in the water. Water takes pressure off your body, removing the aggravation of gravity from aching joints and muscles, and warmth amplifies that effect.At CC Young, we have an aquatic therapy program that is designed for the needs of older adults. Our pool is at a therapeutic temperature, and our deep well allows patients to float and stretch their joints to give relief. With our support and classes, you can do exercises in the pool that you cant do on land, and you can also avoid the risk of falls and injuries more easily while in the water. Often, people come to the pool in pain, and through aquatics therapy, they find relief more quickly than expected.Strength TrainingYou might be tempted to shy away from lifting weights when injured, but with the help of our highly skilled therapists, strength training can remain a part of your routine. This therapy will help your muscles maintain or regain their strength as you heal.Balance and Coordination ExercisesSome injuries, especially leg, ankle and foot injuries, can have a negative effect on your balance and coordination. Our therapists will use all the tools and techniques at their disposal to help you regain balance and coordination, while helping to prevent falls and further injuries.Flexibility and Range of Motion ExercisesPain and injury can limit your range of motion, making everyday tasks difficult. At CC Young, we have a wide variety of techniques that can help you regain your flexibility.Cardiovascular ExercisesBelieve it or not, getting your blood pumping is a crucial component of the healing process, as well. We integrate cardio exercises into our physical rehabilitation program to facilitate whole body wellness.Functional TrainingThis step is a turning point in your physical therapy journey. Functional training allows you to apply the techniques and tools youve learned in other therapies to real-life situations. By practicing activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, navigating the kitchen and moving around the house, we can assist you with everyday tasks. Functional training takes concepts like strength, range of motion, balance, and pain management, and translates them into practical movements that you can practice at home.At CC Young, our Rehabilitation and Aquatics Center offers physical, occupational and speech therapies that allow you to regain the strength and independence you need to return home safely and with confidence. The mock kitchen, laundry room, restroom, and car allow patients to practice daily living activities. Additionally, the outdoor Sensory Garden simulates a community environment, complete with grass, curbs and yard for training purposes.For more than 97 years, CC Young has been of service to seniors who need comprehensive support. Our five-star rated community is comprised of caring senior rehabilitation experts, who can help you or a loved one gain the strength and confidence needed to transition back to normal life.November 29, 2023 | CC Young Senior Living

When an older relative has surgery, theyre entering a vulnerable time. Theyll need extra support after coming home from the hospital, and its a big job to prepare meals, pick up prescriptions, help them move from room to room, and keep up with the housework. Thats especially true when you have your own kids, career, and extracurriculars to coordinate every day. Perhaps youre not in a position to take on all of your loved ones post-op care needs. Maybe you simply want help ensuring their discharge instructions are followed as closely and safely as possible. Either way, hiring transitional care can be a crucial part of your loved ones post-surgery planand ComForCare is here to support a healthy recovery!How Do I Make a Post-Surgery Plan for My Loved One?Making a post-surgery plan starts with talking to your loved ones doctor about what recovery will look like. Make sure to ask about what kind of support theyll need, including any dietary restrictions, mobility concerns (for example, whether or not theyll be able to climb stairs), and special equipment, like shower seats or canes/walkers.If you have a big family, you may have a lot of people around you who want to help take on some of the care in shifts. However, having consistent, clear, and high-quality care is crucialeveryone needs to be on the same page. And if youre solely responsible, it can be difficult to provide the level of care needed while also taking care of your obligations at home. Thats what makes transitional care such an appealing choice. With one person managing some or all of these aspects of care, you can rest assured that your loved ones health and recovery are in good hands. What is Transitional Care?Transitional care can apply to any situation when someone moves from one care setting to another, whether thats the hospital, a rehabilitation center, or a skilled nursing facility. Our caregivers help coordinate the care process between your loved ones doctor and getting settled safely at home. That can mean a one-time transition to home or a longer stay, depending on your familys unique circumstances.Why is Transitional Care Important?Coming home from the hospital may sound like a simple enough process, but unfortunately, that isnt always the case. Research shows that older adults are especially vulnerable to breakdowns of communication and care during these transitions. Without post-surgery support in place, older adults can experience higher hospital readmission rates, trip and fall injuries, longer recoveries, and other adverse effects. Post-surgery support is also important for family caregivers. While helping care for a loved one can be an incredibly rewarding experience, it can also be stressful. Some perfect examples of this include understanding the doctors orders, managing medications, and understanding the red flags for complications. Transitional care coordinates the logistics, allowing you to focus on providing the emotional support that your loved one will need following their procedure.What Transitional Home Care Services Does ComForCare Provide?ComForCares compassionate and highly trained caregivers can provide a number of home care services to help bolster your loved ones support system after surgery. Our services include:Obtaining, reviewing, and implementing hospital discharge instructionsPicking up prescriptions and providing medication remindersScheduling and providing transportation to follow-up appointmentsIdentifying trip hazards and making other home safety recommendationsHelping with meal preparation, laundry, and light housekeepingComForCare caregivers are communication partners, too, helping to make sure that you, your family, and all healthcare providers involved are in sync. Theyre fully prepared to be a resource, providing education and guidance about long-term care plans, key questions to ask, and warning signs of chronic conditions down the road.If youd like a caregiver to stay for a longer duration, they can also help with personal care services and companion care services. Should I Get Post-Operative Support for My Loved One?If your loved one has a procedure coming up, it is essential to take an honest and thorough assessment of the level of extra support theyll need. Dont forget to include yourself in this review! Transitional care services can benefit everyone: your loved one has the extra support they need to recover safely, and you have the extra bandwidth to be the best caregiver, family member, or support system you can be.Not sure if youll need extra help? As you prepare for your loved ones discharge, call ComForCare for a no-obligation consultation. We can provide a customized care plan to help the older adult in your life safely transition home, based on their needs and preferences. Our transitional care services are available 24/7, including holidays, so that everyone has access to a smooth road to recovery when they need it.ComForCare: Transitional Care & Post-Operative SupportComForCare provides in-home care services to a broad range of clients, from older adults to people with chronic illnesses. Whether you need temporary support or a more long-term solution, our skilled and compassionate caregivers are here to help your loved one live their best life. With over 200 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, ComForCare is here to serve your needs.