Not just in Florida, but also in most other cities, the hospitals will start discharge procedures once your loved ones no longer require the level or kind of care being offered so far. Most individuals want to leave the hospital and go right home. Recovery may take longer than anticipated, even if you and your doctor had planned to take them home. Your loved ones might have to be moved to one of the rehabilitation or skilled nursing facilities in Palm Beach County, FL.
Rehabilitation facilities provide short-term care for in-patients. On the other hand, a skilled nursing facility can be chosen if your loved ones need a higher level of medical care. While the former is temporary, the latter can be part of a long-term assisted living option.
Now that you know the key difference between a rehab and skilled nursing facility, this article will help you choose between rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities in Palm Beach County, FL.
Who Requires the Services of a Skilled Nursing or Rehab Facility?
Doctors may conclude that while your loved ones no longer require the level or kind of care that was offered in the hospital, they still require more or a different kind of care than you can handle at home.
Check whether your loved ones are able to do the below things before leaving the hospital and returning home:
- Use a wheelchair, cane, walker, or aids safely.
- Get into and out of a chair or bed without much assistance
- Move between bedroom, toilet, and kitchen in safety.
- Go upstairs and downstairs (recommended only if there are no other options available)
Some might not be able to leave the hospital and go home right away due to additional variables, such as:
- Lack of assistance at home.
- You need to be stronger or more mobile before returning home due to the place you reside.
- Medical issues that are not well-controlled, such as diabetes, lung issues, and cardiac issues.
- Medications that cannot be administered securely at home.
- Surgical incisions that require ongoing attention.
The following are typical health issues that frequently necessitate treatment in a skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility:
- Surgery to replace a joint, such as a knee, hip, or shoulder.
- Long hospital visits for any medical condition.
- A cerebral injury such as a stroke
What Happens During the Stay at the Facility?
A doctor will oversee care given to your loved ones at the skilled nursing facility. They will be assisted by other qualified professionals as they regain health and self-care capabilities:
- Registered nurses will take care of incision, administer the appropriate medications, and keep an eye on any additional health issues.
- Physical therapists will instruct on how to build stronger muscles. They might instruct on how to securely sit or get up from a chair, toilet, or bed. They might also assist in relearning how to balance and climb stairs. Those under care might learn how to use crutches, a wheelchair, or a cane.
- Your loved ones will learn the skills they need to carry out daily chores at home from occupational therapists.
- Problems with swallowing, speaking, and understanding will be assessed and treated by speech and language specialists.
You can choose assisted living in a retirement community if the care needed is for the long-term. If the medical care is only a short-term requirement, then a rehab facility is perfect. Plan ahead and select the ideal facility for your loved ones.