How Long is Short-Term Rehab?

Short-term rehabilitation provides treatment for individuals recovering from a surgery, illness, or injury. It typically involves a combination of physical, occupational, or speech therapy. Each patient’s individual needs will determine the particular methods used.

The ultimate goal of short-term rehabilitation is to help patients achieve their maximum functional capacity and return to independent living in the shortest time possible. The length of time a patient spends in short-term rehabilitation can range from as little as a few days to as long as a few months, depending on a variety of factors, including those listed below.

The type of illness or injury

Recovery from an uncomplicated injury or surgical procedure will typically be shorter than recovery from a severe illness or more complex injury. It is important to note, however, that healing periods can last longer during short-term rehab for elderly patients. Stroke or cardiac and respiratory ailments usually require longer rehab durations, as do injuries such as hip fractures, knee replacements, and spinal cord injuries. In general, if personalized short-term rehab goals are not achieved within 12 weeks or so, the patient might need to transition into long-term rehabilitation.

The severity of a patient’s illness or injury

As mentioned above, severe illnesses and injuries require more time in short-term rehabilitation. Severity is usually measured by how many body parts or systems are affected and how soon the patient can move affected areas after hospitalization. For instance, if a patient can move a fractured limb on command at the start of short-term rehab, the length of treatment may be short. But if there is no initial ability to move the limb, additional time will be required to reach maximum independence.

The patient’s individual goals

A patient-centered approach to short-term rehabilitation means treatment plans are customized to each patient and include input from the patient’s doctor, therapists, care providers, and family members, if desired. Once goals have been established, the rehab team will work together to help the patient achieve those goals and meet regularly to review progress. Individual goals can range from simple transitions between the bed and a chair or toilet, to more advanced tasks such as buttoning up a shirt or climbing/descending stairs safely with minimal assistance.

Short-term rehab vs. long-term rehab

Short-term rehabilitation is often a beneficial solution for patients unable to perform daily tasks such as eating, bathing, and dressing during the healing period after a sudden illness, injury, or surgery. In certain cases, however, patients might still have trouble with daily tasks due to the severity of their condition, or suffer from underlying medical conditions, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, that complicate recovery. In these cases, long-term rehabilitation at a skilled nursing facility might be required, especially if there are concerns about the patient’s safety in living independently.

Short-term rehabilitation at Bella Vista Health Center

At Bella Vista Health Center, the goal of our short-term rehab program is to help each patient achieve optimal physical, cognitive, and emotional health during the transition between hospital and home. We understand that such transitions can be challenging, and we’re committed to providing a pleasant, nurturing environment that supports every patient in their recovery process. If you or a loved one is in need of short-term rehabilitation, contact us today at (619) 644-1000 for more information or a tour of our 5-Star Skilled Nursing Facility. 

Choosing the Right Short-Term Care Facility

When you or someone you love is recovering from surgery, illness, or another medical issue that required hospitalization, sometimes the next step in the healing and rehabilitative process takes place in a professional, caring environment. Short-term care facilities provide physical, occupational, and speech therapy services, along with nursing services and staff available to meet patients’ needs 24 hours a day. There are several health centers in San Diego for short-term care, and choosing the right one is a decision that should take many things into consideration beyond medical needs. Here are a few questions to keep in mind while you search:

Length of stay

Minor health issues, such as an uncomplicated surgery, may only require short-term rehab for a few days or a few weeks. In other cases, a patient with advanced medical issues such as cardiac problems may need rehabilitation services that last several months. Some facilities specialize in either short- or long-term care, while others—like Bella Vista Health Center—offer both. This can often be the best option for patients who aim for rapid rehabilitation but understand that recovery could take longer than anticipated. 

Room preference: private or shared? 

Some patients prefer the privacy of a single room while others value the companionship offered in a shared room. Not all short-term care facilities offer both options, so if you or your loved one feel strongly either way, it’s a good way to narrow down your choices. 

Amenities offered

The most important thing you can do before choosing a skilled nursing facility is to take a tour to evaluate the levels of comfort, privacy, and professionalism. Aside from the patient rooms, take a look at community areas and ask about social events and activities designed to keep residents engaged and entertained during their stay. Also check out the dining area and menus to ensure meal options are varied, healthy, and amenable to accommodation for special dietary needs, if necessary.

Questions to ask the staff

When you tour a prospective short-term care facility, don’t hesitate to ask the staff challenging questions to ensure all your concerns are addressed. Here are some subjects to ask about:

• Availability of specialized staff for specific medical needs
• Details of the facility’s personalized care plans
• Staff-to-patient ratios
• Expected transition from hospital to rehab
• Outpatient therapy options
• Frequency of care planning meetings

You’ll want to pay close attention not just to the answers but also to the general attitude of the staff members you speak to.  If they don’t know the answer to your question, do they brush it off as unimportant, or do they make it a point to find someone who can answer? Do they seem interested in making you feel comfortable or at rushing you through so they can get on to other things? Trust your instincts and take notes about how you feel in each facility as well as the answers provided. 

Questions to ask other residents

In addition to talking with the staff at a prospective short-term care facility, it’s a good idea to talk to current residents or past clients to learn about their experiences. Do they find the staff friendly or impersonal? Do they feel they’re making the most progress possible based on therapy programs offered? Another way to evaluate resident experiences is to ask the staff for recent satisfaction survey results and statistics on benchmarked outcomes.

Looking for the best short-term rehab in San Diego?

At Bella Vista Health Center, our rehabilitation services are based on a high level of compassionate care and innovative programming that empowers our patients to reach their recovery goals and regain their quality of life. If you or someone you love needs short-term care following surgery or illness, we encourage you to tour our recently remodeled 5-star skilled nursing facility. Give us a call at (619) 644-1000 or fill out our contact form today.

Difference Between Short-Term Care and Long-Term Care

Despite portrayals in popular entertainment, skilled nursing facilities are not exclusively designed for senior citizens needing long-term care. Skilled nursing services cater to diverse medical needs and a variety of patients: active senior citizens recovering from knee replacement, older seniors with chronic medical conditions, or anyone (of any age) in need of physical therapy or wound care after a car accident, for example. 
For more information on the differences between short-term care and long-term care, as well as the skilled nursing services you can expect at Bella Vista Health Center, take a look below:

 

Difference Between Short Term Care & Long Term Care

Short-term care is temporary

As its name suggests, short-term care is temporary medical aftercare following a surgery, injury, illness, or other medical condition that is expected to improve. Services typically last several weeks or a few months, or sometimes longer depending on the severity of the condition being treated.

Short-term care is goal-oriented
 

For patients in need of rehabilitation services, short-term care aims to return them home as soon as medically possible. Physical therapy is designed to relieve pain, restore function and enhance health, while providing individualized treatment programs that can be continued at home. Occupational therapy strives to equip patients with the necessary skills—and often, customized tools—for proper self-care, such as dressing, personal hygiene, and cooking.

Short-term care provides medical and custodial services

In addition to wound care, the dispensing of medication, and rehab services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy (in the case of stroke), skilled nursing facilities also offer custodial care. Skilled nursing professionals help patients with dressing, bathing, using the restroom, eating, and mobility until the patient recovers their independence.

Long-term care provides skilled nursing services indefinitely

Long-term care is ideal for seniors or others with chronic or progressive medical conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, permanent disabilities, dementia, or a debilitating stroke, especially when the level of care exceeds what loved ones can provide on their own. Skilled nursing facilities are staffed 24/7 by medical professionals trained to deal with any health issues that might arise, giving loved ones and patients peace of mind.

Long-term care offers comprehensive treatment

Long-term care involves medical, therapeutic, and personal care services for those with physical or mental conditions that limit their ability to function independently. In addition to addressing medical needs, skilled nursing facility staff can assist with custodial care such as personal hygiene, eating, and getting in and out of beds and chairs. While rehabilitation services such as physical and occupational therapy are the cornerstones of short-term care, they are also offered to patients receiving long-term care in order to relieve pain and discomfort, and improve mobility and functionality as much as possible.

Long-term care includes a variety of amenities

Because long-term patients may spend years in skilled nursing facilities, many places offer a variety of amenities to make the facility a “home away from home.” Such amenities include fun social activities, salon services, local transportation services, financial management, and supportive services to address the psychological and emotional needs of patients and their loved ones.
 

5-star care in a 5-star facility
 

If you or a loved one is in need of short-term care or long-term care at a skilled nursing facility in San Diego, Bella Vista Health Center can help. Our 5-star rated facility offers the highest standard of care and the most comprehensive amenities, including free concierge service for our residents and daily activities that focus on the mind, body, and soul. If you have more questions about our services, call us at (619) 644-1000  or fill out our contact form to set up a tour of our beautifully remodeled Lemon Grove facility.