5 Things to Know Before Going to Rehabilitation Hospital
No matter what the circumstance or medical event is, rehabilitation is an essential aspect of recovery that can mean the world of a difference in a patient’s life.
So, it is also necessary to choose the best possible rehabilitation hospital for a patient in order to achieve an ideal outcome.
Choosing a rehabilitation hospital is an important decision, which is why you must know exactly what to inquire about before choosing the very best rehabilitation hospital.
What Is a Rehabilitation Hospital?
There are two types of rehabilitation:
- Inpatient rehabilitation
- Outpatient rehabilitation
With inpatient rehabilitation, patients stay long-term in a facility that helps them with active therapy. This type of rehab is beneficial for the patient since they have 24/7 access to medical care and therapy professionals, and allows for a more ‘comprehensive’ and complete therapy experience.
The length of stay for a patient can be days, weeks, or even months – it depends on the severity of the medical issue that required rehab in the first place.
Outpatient rehabilitation means the patient received therapy and treatment independently – as in, no extended stays or around-the-clock treatment.
This type of rehab involves frequent trips to a private facility or clinic – the patient is required to perform therapy on their own time, in their own environment.
Naturally, this has obvious downsides since it is easier to not perform one’s own therapy by themselves as opposed to with a team of professionals.
Although all therapy is good therapy, many patients prefer to undergo inpatient rehabilitation.
This type of rehab generally has better results simply due to the extra care provided for the patient. Inpatient rehabilitation is structured and scheduled in a way to help the patient as much as possible, and free access to staff at all times is a major benefit.
When patients choose inpatient rehabilitation, the rehab program that they must be admitted to often takes place at a rehabilitation hospital like Everest.
A rehabilitation hospital is simply a facility that offers recovery services and programs to patients who choose inpatient rehabilitation; the patient checks in and stays at the rehab hospital for an extended period of time, usually for as long as it takes to recover.
These rehabilitation hospitals are licensed by the State, and generally involve about 3 hours of active therapy per day.
Depending on the nature and severity of the medical incident, the types of therapy may include:
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Speech & language pathology
Patients might also have access to social workers, dieticians, psychologists, or even a neuropsychologist.
It is very important to choose the best rehabilitation hospital depending on the wants and needs of the patient.
How-to Select a Rehabilitation Hospital: 5 Things to Know
In order to help select a rehabilitation hospital that is best for a particular patient, here are the 5 things you must know before you decide on the best option for recovery:
How Much One-to-One Patient Therapy Is There?
It is important for a patient to receive direct, one-to-one therapy for at least a small period of time, regularly.
This is because every patient is different, with their own set of particular medical problems, health issues, stage in recovery, etc.
Although group therapy is very effective, one-to-one therapy is necessary for a patient to receive the exact type of recovery and monitoring that they deserve.
Ask your select rehabilitation hospitals how much personal, one-to-one therapy each patient receives when they are admitted in their rehab program.
What Amenities Are Offered in Patient Rooms?
Different rehabilitation hospitals will have different amenities offered.
These may include:
- TV
- Wifi
- In-room dining
- Telephone
- Storage
- Housekeeping
There is a wide range of amenities offered by different facilities, and some may benefit a particular patient more than others.
It’s a good idea to ask select rehabilitation hospitals what amenities are offered in the patient rooms… After all, this is where they will be living and sleeping for the time being.
Are There Outdoor Activities for Patients?
Although many important therapy activities take place inside, recreational outdoor activities are very important for the rehab process.
Outdoor activities help to:
- Get exercise
- Experience nature
- Lower stress levels
This type of therapy activity can also have a great improvement on general mental health for patients.
Be sure to ask your rehabilitation hospitals whether outdoor activities are a part of the curriculum.
Is There a Therapy Gym?
A therapy gym is a near-essential feature of any rehabilitation hospital.
The ability to exercise and strengthen a patient’s body can work wonders and accelerate the path to recovery – the larger the gym and the more machines offered, the better chance your patient will have to exercise the parts of their body relative to the medical incident.
Are There Any Unique Offerings for Therapy?
Certain rehabilitation hospitals will offer unique features or services that are unique to other facilitates.
It is worth asking whether they have any unique offerings that may benefit your patient on their road to recovery.
Finding the Best Rehabilitation Hospitals for You
It’s very important to read reviews and perform research in order to find the best rehabilitation hospital for your patient.
If the best possible rehabilitation hospital for your patient is found, then you can expect a faster & easier path to regaining independence than possible with other facilities.
