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When Short-Term Rehab Makes Sense After Surgery

Many of us would agree with the old saying, “There’s no place like home.” After all, home is familiar and comfortable, and it may also bring back fond memories of time spent with family and friends. As much as we may hate to admit it, though, home is not always the best place to recover after surgery. Why not?

The long-term success of any surgery depends on a number of factors. If you or a loved one are considering having a surgical procedure, you no doubt plan on putting some serious thought into selecting the right hospital and a surgeon with an impeccable reputation. We all know how important it is to have skilled, knowledgeable medical personnel and adequate facilities. However, what goes on after your surgery is over could have just as big an impact on the extent of your recovery and your return to normal, independent, everyday life.

Say, for example, that you need knee replacement surgery. You will probably be sent away from the hospital with a list of activities to limit and a schedule of exercises to do in order to speed recovery. Regardless of the initial success of the procedure, if you don’t follow post-operative instructions to the letter, your future ability to use that knee will be impacted. As we get older, recovery from surgery is a slower process and may require the services of a wider variety of medical professionals. This is where short-term rehab comes in.

Why Consider Short-Term Rehab?

Short-term rehab helps many aging adults experience safer, faster, more complete recoveries and eases the transition back into life at home. Depending on the type of surgery and speed of recovery, a stay at one of these facilities may last anywhere from a few days to a few months. Short-term rehab facilities offer several potential advantages over outpatient physical therapy.

  • You will have access to professional care around-the-clock, seven days a week.
  • Depending on the facility, you may have, not only physical therapists, but also occupational therapists, nutritionists, social workers, and other specialists necessary for your personal recovery plan right at your fingertips.
  • You will not feel tempted to push yourself into caring for your regular household responsibilities before you are ready.
  • Many short-term rehab facilities offer private rooms as well as many amenities and activities so that you can enjoy a little pampering, relaxation, and recreation while you recover.

Some people hesitate to commit to a stay in short-term rehab, feeling like they will be checking in to a nursing home for the duration of their recovery. While many long-term care facilities also offer rehabilitation services, the goals of these two services are quite different, as are the experiences you can expect to have. The main goal of short-term rehab is to restore your health and strength, to get you back on your feet and ready to move on with your life as quickly as possible. With this goal in mind, you can expect to be an active participant in your rehabilitation.

If surgery is in your future or the future of one of your senior loved ones, why not talk to your doctor about possible choices for rehab? You may decide that the options offered by a stay in a short-term rehabilitation facility are just what you need in order to ensure a successful recovery.

The Davis Community Offers Rehabilitation at Its Finest

The Davis Community has a state-of-the-art rehabilitation center where our residents can exercise and/or recover from their surgeries using modern equipment designed especially for seniors. We take pride in offering the best rehabilitation in Wilmington NC. If you or an aging parent need physical rehabilitation, then visit our Facebook page to learn more about the fitness center at Davis Community. Or, for more information about our retirement community, nursing homes, or skilled nursing services, just give us a call today at 910-566-1200.

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