Types of care
Rehabilitation care
Rehabilitation care is therapy that helps a person regain strength, movement, speech, or daily skills after an illness, injury, or surgery. Physical, occupational, and speech therapists provide it. It can take place at home, in a facility, or in an outpatient clinic, usually under a doctor's orders.
Why it matters for your family
Rehab sets goals, such as walking to the kitchen or dressing without help. Therapists teach exercises and safe ways to move, and families can learn them too. Progress depends on practice between visits. A common mistake is stopping exercises once therapy ends. Medicare can cover therapy in a skilled nursing facility after a qualifying hospital stay, and therapy through home health for eligible people. A non-medical caregiver can encourage the exercises and keep the home safe, but does not replace the therapist. Ask the doctor which setting fits best. Keep notes on what the therapist teaches, so the family and caregivers repeat the same safe methods.
Source: medicare.gov
Related terms
- Skilled nursing facility (SNF)A skilled nursing facility (SNF) is a Medicare-certified facility that provides nursing and therapy that only professionals can safely give.
- Home health careHome health care is medical care given at home for an illness or injury, such as skilled nursing and therapy.
- Mobility assistanceMobility assistance is help with moving around, such as standing up, walking, using stairs, and getting in and out of a bed, chair, or car.
- Post-surgery home carePost-surgery home care is help at home during recovery from an operation.
- Fall preventionFall prevention is the set of steps that lower the chance an older adult will fall.
- AmbulationAmbulation means walking from place to place, with or without a cane, walker, or help from another person.
