Rehab After a Hospital Stay – Why You Might Need It

When you’re ready to leave the hospital, your doctor will evaluate how well you’re recovering from your hospital stay. The outcome of the evaluation will determine the care you’ll require once you leave the hospital. Part of this will be a recovery plan that could involve nursing care.

Your doctor may also suggest some restorative rehab therapies. The type of rehab you’ll need after a hospital stay will be tailored to your medical condition and recovery needs. There may be more than one rehab therapy offered, depending on the reason for your hospital stay.

One of the main reasons for rehab is to help you regain your strength. Regardless of your previous health status, hospital stays can take a toll on your body. Regaining your strength is the first step to a speedy recovery.

Of course, there are a few different ways that rehab therapies can do this, depending on the type of therapy. Let’s take a look at the three main options for rehab after a hospital stay.

Physical therapy is one of the most important options for regaining your strength after a stay at the hospital. It also has a variety of other benefits as part of your inpatient nursing care. These exercises can improve your mobility, flexibility, and balance over time. It can even reduce pain to increase your comfort while you recover.

Since every hospital stay is different, your nursing care team will determine the best exercises for your specific needs. This will ensure that you reach your goals safely without resulting in another hospital visit.

Occupational therapy is another form of rehab that may be needed after a hospital stay. The main focus of this type of therapy is to help you regain your fine motor skills. These can include daily tasks like using the restroom, feeding yourself, bathing, writing, or dressing. Occupational therapy ensures that you’re able to perform those regular tasks on your own once you go back home.

Speech therapy is another possible rehab option after a hospital stay. It is recommended for those with medical conditions that affect communication or swallowing. There are also cognitive issues, such as memory or attention problems, that could require speech therapy. Speech therapy can improve these issues for better communication and ensure that you can maintain a healthy diet.