Short-term Rehab Eases the Transition from the Hospital

A hospital stay is almost always traumatic for an older person. Going home is not necessarily much easier. There may be new medications to manage, new dietary restrictions to implement, wounds to take care of, follow-up appointments to make, and even in-house supports to install, such as grab bars and ramps.

The transition from hospital to home is so difficult, in fact, that one in every five Medicare patients discharged from the hospital is readmitted within the month.

Adjusting to discharge can be made easier, both for the patient and for their caregiver, by including a stay in a short-term rehabilitation program. A short-term rehab program, like that at Atlantic Coast Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, in Lakewood, NJ, can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the patient’s condition.

The benefits of short-term rehab are clear: physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as needed, in a setting that is designed to keep older people safe. Atlantic Coast offers therapy seven days a week, which maximizes the benefit of a rehab stay.

Therapists are only part of the team at Atlantic Coast. Doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and dietitians prepare individualized programs for each resident, with the goal of ensuring the proper healing of any wounds, establishing any new medication protocols, and generally easing the way into the “new normal.” Social workers are also involved, making sure that upon discharge from rehab, the patient and their family is fully prepared, physically and emotionally, to care for their loved one.

An essential aspect of rehab at Atlantic Coast is the maintenance of constant communication with the patient’s personal physicians. Older people often have a complex set of medical conditions, and we find that keeping open and clear communication between the patient, their family, and their doctors is the best way to ensure the best outcomes.

Worried about how to pay for short-term rehab? Medicare and private insurance may cover the costs. It is important to speak to the hospitals discharge planner, who can get you all the necessary paperwork and authorizations.

Recovering from a health crisis is difficult, especially for an older person. There is no reason to make it more difficult than it needs to be. Atlantic Coast short-term rehab is here to help. Contact us at 732-364-7100 or by clicking here.