What to Know About Short-Term Rehabilitation
Life is unpredictable. One minute you’re fine and the next, an accident or illness changes everything. After a visit to the hospital, the doctor may recommend a short-term rehab stay before you return home. While it may seem daunting, communities like Advena Living exist to help you get stronger and back home quicker. So what can you expect?
What is Rehabilitation Therapy?
Short-term rehab services or post-acute care is for individuals who are working hard to recover and return home after surgery, illness or injury.
Advena Living and other rehabilitation communities offer safe and supportive environments along with intensive therapies to help accomplish each person’s specific health goals.
Types of Therapies
Physical therapy focuses on improvement of coordinator, balance, strength and endurance.
Occupational therapy uses goal-directed activities to help restore, maintain and improve daily living skills.
Speech and language pathology looks at how to improve swallowing, hearing, speech and language. Speech therapists assess and provide treatment to help individuals recover lost skills or develop new ones.
Length of Visit
The typical length of stay is about 20 days, according to various sources, although it could be shorter or longer depending on your progress.
Medicare covers inpatient rehab in a skilled nursing community for up to 100 days, after a qualifying hospital stay meets the 3-rule. That means you must be admitted to the hospital as an inpatient for at least 3 days. The AARP Medicare Plans website provides more detailed information on Medicare Coverage.
Packing for a Short-Term Stay
If you do have to complete a post-hospital rehabilitation stay, you will need to bring comfortable loose clothing for therapy, as well as other personal items.
Here are a few suggestions of necessary items for your stay:
- Shoes with non-skid soles
- Comfortable clothing
- Underwear, socks
- Pajamas, robe, slippers with tread
- Toiletries: shampoo, soap, cosmetics, toothpaste and toothbrush, etc.
- Other personal hygiene products
- Dentures, glasses, hearing aids, cane, walker
- Cell phone and charger
- Entertainment: laptop or tablet, books, magazines, crossword puzzles, cards, knitting
It is not recommended that you bring valuable items, jewelry or cash.
It is also not a requirement to bring bedding, but if you have a warm blanket or pillow that will make you more comfortable, bring those items.
Learn More about Short-Term Rehab
To learn more about short-term rehabilitation stays at Advena Living, call our Marketing and Admissions Director at (620) 584-2271.
About Advena Living
If your goal is to get well, strengthen and return to your home in the greater community, the team at Advena Living will make that our goal as well. We provide in-house physical, occupational and speech therapy services seven days a week, and we specialize in return-to-home plans and services. We can help you restore mobility, independence and autonomy as we work together on a plan to accomplish your goals to the best of our ability.
While the intention is to go home, that doesn’t always happen. For different reasons, an individual may not meet their goals and may require long-term care. Advena Living specializes in skilled nursing, long-term care, rehab and assisted living services throughout Kansas. Our name “Advena” means newcomer, which is what we do—welcome newcomers seeking a senior living environment where they may continue to enjoy a full life, and where their personal choices are respected and upheld.
