If you or a loved one are considering long-term care options, you may be wondering whether a nursing home or rehabilitation center is the right fit. Both provide important services, but it’s important to understand the difference between the two before making a decision.
This blog post will explore the key differences between nursing homes and rehabilitation centers so that you can make an informed decision.
What Care Do You Need?
Long-term care encompasses a broad range of services and intensities of care, depending on the specific needs of the person requiring it. This can include support with daily living activities like bathing, dressing, and grocery shopping, plus medical monitoring at home or in a special facility.
Planning ahead before an individual in need of long-term care can help families become familiar with what options are available to them and help them make informed decisions about the best plan for their particular needs. Doing research can provide a clearer understanding of available resources that could make the process smoother down the line.
Taking proactive steps now will help ensure loved ones receive the type of care they need when it’s required most.
24-hours skilled nursing care
Nursing homes provide a unique environment for seniors and those with disabilities to receive specialized care and guidance. They can provide 24-hour skilled nursing, including medication management and wound monitoring, as well as social services like meal preparation and housekeeping.
Residents of nursing homes also have access to rehab services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and even recreational activities. Nursing homes are designed to give residents the necessary tools to focus on their health and quality of life while receiving round-the-clock medical attention in a familiar atmosphere.
An intensive level of therapy in short-term rehab
Short-term rehabilitation centers offer patients a unique solution to post-injury or illness recovery.
Typically reserved for individuals who need a more intensive level of therapy, these centers provide comprehensive care plans tailored specifically to the individual patient’s needs. Through physical, occupational, and speech therapies, as well as supervised exercise sessions, nurses and therapists work together to help those in rehabilitation regain their strength, mobility and independence as safely and quickly as possible.
That said, it is important to remember that rehab isn’t just about getting better during treatment; it is also about integrating lessons learned at the center back into daily life afterward. Make sure you talk honestly with your doctor about whether a short-term rehabilitation facility is right for you or your loved one’s needs.
Each of them offer a unique set of benefits
When looking for places of care for a loved one, deciding between a nursing home and a short-term rehab center can be difficult. On one hand, nursing homes can provide long-term care for more severe medical conditions whereas short-term rehab centers provide intensive therapy with the aim of returning patients to their regular activities in a shorter amount of time.
No matter what your needs are, it is important to understand that each place has its own set of benefits and careful consideration is needed to determine the best path forward. Nursing homes may specialize in Alzheimer’s and dementia care, offer traditional assisted living services such as meal preparation and housekeeping, or have onsite physical, occupational, or speech therapists.
Short-term rehab centers may specialize in joint replacement rehabilitation with extensive physical therapy programming or fall prevention strategies tailored specifically to elderly individuals. Ultimately, either option has many services available but it is important to carefully consider the individual’s needs before making a decision.
Determine the right type of facility with your doctor
Bridge Care Suites provides a strong option for those in need of tailored care. Bridge Care Suites, founded on the premise that one size does not fit all and every person benefits from personalized treatment plans, have become an increasingly popular choice. Working together, Bridge Care Suites health care professionals strive to make sure each individual receives the care they deserve and can effectively manage their health needs.
There are a variety of options available to best suit your individual needs. Nursing homes provide around-the-clock skilled nursing care as well as rehabilitation services. However, if you or your loved one is in need of a more intensive level of therapy to regain strength and mobility after an injury or illness, a short-term rehabilitation center may be a better option.
These types of facilities offer their own unique set of benefits. Consulting with your doctor or healthcare provider is the best way to determine which type of care facility is right for you or your loved one.
Take the next step on your journey back to health by contacting us today to learn more about Bridge Care Suite!
