According to recent statistics, the percentage of the world’s population of people aged 60 and over is expected to double from 12% to 22% between 2015 and 2050, This means that there will be a growing need for long term nursing care.
When an elderly individual suffers a serious injury or medical trauma, they may need to live at a long term care facility for some extended period of time. Skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehab facilities offer service to elderly people in a residential setting, rather than having patients commute to a clinic for appointments.
These facilities are called Inpatient Physical Rehabilitation Centers and are also commonly referred to as skilled nursing facilities. These facilities are sometimes located inside of hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, they are not one and the same. There are many stand alone facilities that offer these medical services. The goal of a senior rehab facility is to help elderly patients heal and return to their maximum functional potential after suffering a life-altering event or injury such as:
- Fractured or broken hip
- Joint injury or replacement
- Parkinson’s disease
- Neurological conditions or brain injuries such as stroke and aneurysm
- Arthritis
- Multiple Sclerosis, etc.
Senior rehab facilities are equipped to conduct various therapies conducted by various different health care professionals, including:
- Rehab physicians
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech therapists
- Rehab nurses
- Social workers
These therapies usually fall under one of three categories:
Physical Therapy (PT) – The treatment of disease, injury, or deformity through physical methods including massage, heat treatment, and exercise rather than by drugs or surgery.
Occupational Therapy (OT) – A form of therapy for individuals recuperating from physical or mental illness that encourages rehabilitation through the performance of activities required in daily life.
Speech Language Pathology (SLP) – This type of therapy specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of speech and language disorders, cognitive-communication disorders, voice disorders, and swallowing disorders.
A typical day for patients in senior rehab facilities is quite structured. One part of any given day is typically devoted to follow-up medical care to address ongoing physical ailments or injuries during recovery. Another part of the day involves physical and occupational therapy to help the patient build their strength and re-learn day to day skills.
The duration of these treatments can vary depending upon the severity of the injury or event, and the expected potential for improvement. In some cases, positive results can be achieved in just a few weeks. Conversely, results from long term inpatient care can take months in a rehab facility. This depends greatly upon on the condition being treated and the patient’s own involvement in their rehabilitation program.
To find an inpatient rehabilitation center in your local area, search google for “rehab facilities near me”. This will provide a good starting point for finding the best inpatient rehabilitation care for your elderly loved one.
