What Are the Benefits of Short-Term Rehabilitation?

A therapist assisting a patient at a short-term rehabilitation.

After an injury-causing accident or surgical procedure, short-term rehabilitation can be recommended as part of recovery. Short-term rehab in Salt Lake City is also beneficial for people learning how to manage a chronic condition more effectively without the excess use of medications. As such, the primary benefit of short-term rehab is making recovery more successful.

Contact Monument Health Group for short-term rehab in Salt Lake City.

What Is Short-Term Rehabilitation?

Short-term rehabilitation is comprehensive treatment tailored to each individual’s recovery needs, which includes: 

How Does Short-Term Rehabilitation Differ From Long-Term Care?

The main difference between short-term rehab and long-term care is short-term rehab at a skilled nursing Salt Lake City facility prepares people to return home. One key objective is to help people recover and regain their independence. 

Who Can Benefit From Short-Term Rehabilitation?

Short-term rehab can benefit people of all ages, including:

  • People recovering from serious injuries 
  • People recovering from a stroke
  • Seniors recovering from hip replacement surgery
  • People recovering from surgical procedures 

What Types of Therapies Are Offered in Short-Term Rehabilitation?

  • Physical therapy: Physical therapy helps restore strength and mobility to affected areas of the body. 
  • Occupational therapy: Occupational therapy focuses on helping people recover lost motor skills, range of motion, and dexterity to make it possible to live independently. 
  • Speech therapy: Speech therapy helps people improve their speech, communication, reading, and problem-solving skills and relearn how to swallow. 

Related: What is the Difference Between Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy?

How Long Does Short-Term Rehabilitation Typically Last?

The duration of short-term rehab will vary from one person to the next. It depends on the extent of injuries, the surgical procedure they had performed, or their chronic condition. Generally, short-term rehab can range from a few weeks to a few months. 

How Can Short-Term Rehabilitation Improve Recovery Outcomes?

Short-term rehab can improve recovery outcomes because of the intensive forms of therapy provided at a skilled nursing facility. They have access to the necessary medical support for faster healing and recovery. 

What Should I Expect During a Short-Term Rehabilitation Stay?

Upon admission to a short-term rehab stay, you can expect a complete evaluation to determine your specific therapeutic needs. You have access to specialized equipment needed to target specific areas of the body to promote faster healing. Additionally, you have constant supervision during therapy to avoid the risk of re-injury or setbacks. There are even opportunities for social interactions with other clients during your stay. 

How Do I Choose the Right Short-Term Rehabilitation Facility?

Choosing the right short-term rehab facility depends on your specific recovery needs and answering the following questions:

  • Are you having mobility issues?
  • Do you need assistance with daily tasks?
  • Do you find it difficult to move your arms or grip things?
  • Are you having cognitive difficulties from a brain injury?
  • Were you recently hospitalized after an accident or had surgery?
  • Do you have a chronic medical condition that makes it challenging to take care of your needs?
  • What forms of therapy do you need to help with your recovery?

Once you answer these questions, you should look for a skilled nursing facility that offers the therapies and services you require. 

Are There Any Potential Risks or Downsides To Short-Term Rehabilitation?

While short-term rehab has numerous benefits, there can be some potential downsides you should be aware of, including:

  • Not spending enough time in rehab: You need to ensure you are confident in taking care of yourself without assistance before returning home. Some people rush through rehab only to find they still need ongoing care and support. 
  • Risk of re-injury by rushing too fast: You should work at a rehab pace that works best for you and take your time to reduce the risk of re-injury. 
  • Being away from home: Some people find it difficult to be away from family, friends, and even their pets. However, skilled nursing facilities do allow family and friends to visit. You can also use technology to have virtual visits with your pets to keep your spirits up. 
  • Preparing for changes at home: After completing short-term rehab, some people will require home modifications to accommodate their needs. Ensuring these are completed before returning home will make the transition easier. 

What Role Does Skilled Nursing Staff Play in Short-Term Rehabilitation?

Skilled nursing staff play a vital role in short-term rehab for seniors and people of all ages:

  • Promote a healing environment while providing emotional and physical support
  • Ensure people’s social well-being while remaining compassionate
  • Offer a patient-centered approach
  • Uses evidence-based and holistic therapies to heal the body physically, mentally, and emotionally 

What Are the Benefits of Short-Term Rehabilitation for Post-Surgical Recovery?

Some of the benefits of short-term rehab for post-surgical recovery with post-acute care in Salt Lake City include:

  • Personalized care: Individuals receive customized treatment plans tailored to their specific recovery needs and objectives.  
  • Improved recovery time: Short-term rehab therapies help people recover faster from surgery, properly heal, and reduce re-injury risk. 
  • Restores self-confidence: Having surgery can lower one’s self-confidence, especially when they were active and independent beforehand. Short-term rehab provides the motivation and encouragement needed and, in the process, also restores one’s self-confidence. 
  • Alleviates stress and anxiety: Recovering from surgery can create added stress and anxiety when you attempt to recover at home. It is easy to get frustrated when you cannot do things you did before your surgery. Recovering at a skilled nursing facility gives you the assistance you need until you can do these things yourself. 

How Can Short-Term Rehabilitation Help With Pain Management?

Short-term rehab helps people learn their physical limitations to manage their pain effectively. Various therapies help increase flexibility and range of motion while reducing pain. Short-term rehab also includes educational sessions to help people develop relaxation techniques and coping skills for effective chronic pain management. 

What Is the Process of Transitioning From a Hospital To Short-Term Rehabilitation?

Transitioning from hospital to short-term rehab involves selecting a skilled nursing facility once you know you will be discharged. Your hospital care team will provide details about your rehab needs to the facility. Upon admission at the skilled nursing facility, a detailed evaluation is performed to confirm your specific care needs and develop your personalized treatment plan. 

How Does Short-Term Rehabilitation Support Cognitive Recovery?

When someone is recovering from a brain illness or injury, it often affects their cognitive abilities. Cognitive rehab therapy helps restore lost cognitive functions and promotes brain healing. It also helps people learn new skills and techniques to compensate for lost cognitive functions that cannot be fully healed. 

Find Short-Term Rehabilitation in Salt Lake City Today

It is easy to find short-term rehab in Bountiful and Salt Lake City at Monument Health Group. We offer comprehensive rehab services customized to your specific needs at our skilled nursing facility in Bountiful and Millcreek. Let us help you recover from your accident or surgery or develop effective coping skills for managing chronic conditions. 

Contact Monument Health Group to start the admissions process today. 

Sources:

Goyer, A. (2023). Managing the Transition From Hospital to Rehab to Home. 

In Brief: What Is Speech Therapy? (2020).What Is Occupational Therapy? (2024).