How to Choose the Best Senior Rehabilitation Facility?
Finding the best care is crucial when dealing with a health issue, especially in the later years. You may consider a senior rehabilitation center to recover safely and effectively after a stroke, surgery, acute illness, or other conditions. Doing so will help you get the necessary support for your recovery. However, choosing a suitable facility can take time and effort. Read on to understand the benefits of rehab to find the right place for your needs.
12 Tips for Choosing a Senior Rehabilitation Centre
Do Your Research
It is best to list the rehab centers that meet your needs by considering their reputation, location, reviews and ratings, and amenities. Check their website and ask your friends and family to learn the details. This way, you will know which factors matter in choosing the right option. It is beneficial to visit them so you can talk to the staff and residents.
Consider What the Rehab Facility Offers
Some rehabilitation facilities are known for post-surgical support, some focus on long-term skilled nursing, and others provide all the options. Think of your specific needs when choosing a center and consider whether they offer multiple levels of care or are a stand-alone facility.
Ask Yourself If You Would Stay at the Facility
Imagine how it would be to live in a particular senior rehab for a few days or weeks. Check if the accommodation and surroundings are comfortable and whether they provide the required amenities. Some communities offer additional facilities, such as a salon, regular entertainment activities, daily dining, and more, to ensure your stay is stress-free and comfortable. Moreover, it is wise to go with your gut after researching the facilities when there are many options. Speak with your loved ones, consider the pros and cons, reflect on your feelings, and see if it feels right to you.
Consider Privacy
When looking at senior rehabilitation centers, ask what the living arrangement for the residents is to see if it suits your needs. Also, enquire about the different options, such as private apartments, fully-shared suites, and semi-private rooms. When choosing one, consider your medical condition and the support required to ensure quick and complete recovery.
Facility Reputation and Accreditation
The concerned commission and authorities regularly visit a senior rehab center to conduct a complete evaluation. When choosing a facility, ensure that your preferred place is reputable and accredited. This way, you can rest assured of the quality of services, staff, and infrastructure.
Staff Qualifications
Depending on your condition, you can ask the rehabilitation center whether their staff is qualified and experienced. In addition to this, ask about the support staff to ensure good services, especially if you need rehab nursing. You may also ask them if your preferred facility offers the following:
- Critical services and resources – to manage emergencies effectively.
- Acute care – to help improve your health within a short period and prevent chronic conditions.
- The staff should be friendly, understand the residents’ unique needs, and help provide a holistic examination.
Suitable Rehab Programs
The common reasons for rehabilitation in later years of life are fractures, strokes, surgeries, and other severe medical circumstances. It is best to ensure whether a facility offers programs that suit your needs by checking your physician’s prescription for suitable therapy. Doing so will help you narrow down your search.
Treatment Plans
Rehab facilities typically provide a well-developed treatment plan involving various medical professionals, including nurses, physicians, nutritionists, and therapists. They will identify what specific treatment you need and help you acquire suitable services to ensure a full recovery. You can also check how many patients with the same condition as yours were previously treated in the facility. Doing so will help you understand the treatment, ascertain the average length of stay, and check the quality of service. However, it helps to know that the number of days will also depend on the severity of your condition, insurance type, and rehab goals.
Therapy and Care Frequency
Rehabilitation facilities require patients to receive therapy regularly. They will determine the frequency depending on your health condition and recovery pace. Ask if a facility can provide the level of observation and care you need. Doing so will help you find the right senior rehab.
Additional Services
In addition to medical care, consider other non-medical services offered by a particular senior rehab facility, including special programs for socialization and services that promote healing and quick recovery. Doing this will help take your mind off your condition and help you adapt to the new environment quickly.
Family Participation
It helps to know whether a senior rehabilitation center allows family participation and to what extent. This is because treatment plans that involve your loved ones can help maximize your recovery opportunity. They can help you with the following tasks:
- Observing therapy sessions and progress
- Medication management
- Learning how to assist you in the best possible way
Discharge and Insurance Assistance
You may need medical assistance during and after the rehabilitation for many reasons, such as settling bills, understanding if your insurance covers the treatment, and more. In addition, you may need continuous assistance post-discharge. You may consider assisted living facilities that can help take care of you and ask the rehabilitation facility to help you choose the right one.
Difference Between Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Facility
Most people do not realize the difference between a senior rehab center and a nursing facility. Keep the following in mind to choose the best one for your needs:
Length of Stay
The average stay at a rehab center is a few weeks to a month. However, the same for skilled nursing facilities can last as long as two months.
Frequency of Therapy and Doctor Visits
Depending on your health condition and the required professional support, you may see a doctor daily when living in a rehabilitation center. But they may visit you once a week in a nursing facility.
Amount of Therapy
Rehabilitation facilities offer 3 hours of therapy daily, while skilled nursing centers provide 1-2 hours of required treatment.
Resources On-Site
Depending on the specialties, rehabilitation centers for seniors typically have radiology centers, laboratories, and other facilities. In addition, they have doctors and other medical professionals available daily. However, nursing facilities are more likely to have limited services available.
Facility Function
Rehab centers usually offer a more complex level of care than skilled nursing facilities. They will educate you about your condition and the necessary measures for quick recovery. However, skilled nursing homes focus more on plans and programs to support you at the facility.
We Offer the Best Senior Rehab Center in Rhode Island
If you are looking for a top-notch rehabilitation facility for seniors and a skilled nursing home in Rhode Island, The Holiday Retirement is an ideal choice. We have qualified staff and patient-friendly infrastructure to help you recover from your illness or surgery. In addition to short-term rehab, we also offer long-term stays to meet your needs. We provide complete care, help with daily living, host entertaining activities, and have excellent dining arrangements to ensure you are healthy, happy and comfortable when staying in our center. We also care for patients with memory loss and ensure they have everything they need for a stress-free life in their later years.
Whether you want respite care, a skilled nursing home, or senior rehab in Rhode Island, call us at 1-401-765-1440. You may also take a tour of The Holiday Retirement rehabilitation facility by filling out our online form. We will clear your doubts and ensure you have the information to make an informed decision.