Why Short-Term Rehab at Pitman?

 

Many people don’t realize that short-term rehabilitation can take place in a reputable senior living community. We’ve come to find that until you’re the one searching for short-term rehab for your elderly parent who has just suffered from a bad fall, that’s when you figure out that this is a viable option. This type of rehabilitative care is offered within hospitals, physical therapy centers, and senior living communities that can provide skilled nursing, like UMC at Pitman. Even though this care is offered elsewhere, here’s why it’s more beneficial to receive short-term rehab at our senior living community in Gloucester County.

More Cost Effective

If your mom or dad needs more time to recover from a bad fall, stroke, or surgery, short-term rehab is the best option to move forward. However, staying at a hospital may not be the most ideal option, as multiple overnight hospital stays can be very pricey. So, where should they go? UMC at Pitman has a full-time rehabilitation team specializing in physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapy for our residents. Fortunately, this type of care offered in a community like ours is typically paid for by Medicare. Medicare is a federal program that people pay into as they work over the years. However, financial coverage varies depending on the plan your parents have chosen to pay into. With that said, we recommend giving us a call with your loved one present to get a better understanding of their coverage.

Designed to Regain Independence

The short-term rehab program at Pitman is not a quick fix. Our core philosophy is to empower all seniors’ independence so they have the opportunity to live abundantly in our community or at home with support! As we briefly touched on before, the initial hospital stay is short and if the mom chooses to stay longer – the bills pile up. And while the hospital may deem your senior parent “well” enough to leave, they may be leaving with a new issue. For example, mom’s initial bruising may have healed after her fall, but now she needs more help regaining and strengthening her mobility. That’s where short-term rehab comes in. When your mom enters short-term rehabilitation at Pitman, our team will thoroughly evaluate her needs and develop a personalized plan to help her regain mobility where possible – thus restoring a little bit of her independence. Every little bit counts and our physical and occupational therapists will do everything in their power to help short-term rehab residents restore what once was.

More Intensive Care

Our short-term rehabilitation wing is understandably smaller than a hospital, which means we don’t sacrifice care. Seniors who choose Pitman to receive 24-hour comprehensive care and supervision, more than they would receive at a hospital. As we mentioned above, rehab begins with a warm welcome and a thorough evaluation upon arrival. In conjunction with our core philosophy, our team believes in making an immediate connection with each new resident to ensure their comfort. Each member of the rehabilitation staff welcomes feedback and any questions as this is usually a new experience for the resident. Whether it be further clarification on the treatment or extra assistance with a daily task, our team wants to ensure your senior parent is comfortable enough to ask for anything.

More Room for Fun!

After the initial consultation, our team develops customized rehabilitative care plans. These plans include establishing the types of therapy, medical treatments, and dietary requirements necessary for your loved one’s recovery. Another major aspect that is often overlooked in other rehab settings is enjoyment. Who says this experience has to be boring or depressing? With their customized care plan, our team also considers the types of activities that would be safe for your loved one to take part in while at our senior living community. As long as it’s deemed safe, short-term residents enjoy the same access that full-time residents have to monthly activities and classes on site. Some of our residents’ favorite classes include Zumba, meditation, knitting, and crafting – just to name a few.

Common reasons seniors choose short-term rehab at UMC at Pitman:

• Recovering from surgery that requires medical supervision and occupational therapy before returning home
• Restoring and strengthening mobility, often after a fall
• Recovering from a stroke or heart attack
• Diagnosed with diabetes, thyroid disease, or another condition affecting dietary and medical needs
• Partial or full speech paralysis due to Bell’s Palsy, stroke, or other conditions
• Treatment for a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema, which causes difficulty breathing

To find out whether or not your loved one is eligible for our short-term rehab care in Gloucester County, or if you have questions about any of our other senior living services, please contact United Methodist Communities at Pitman today or visit our website at: https://umcommunities.org/pitman

This blog was originally published at https://umcommunities.org/pitman/blog/why-short-term-rehab-at-pitman/

How Seniors Can Recover From a Stroke

During the stroke recovery process, your senior loved one will focus on restoring motor skills and overcoming other side effects to the maximum extent possible. This process is really all about remaining as independent as possible while adapting to the new capabilities of their body. Recovery may also require finding additional emotional, social, and physical means of support for your senior loved one. With that said, here are some helpful ways seniors can recover from a stroke from our short-term rehab team in Pitman, NJ

Set achievable goals. The key to setting recovery goals is to remain realistic. Have your loved one first focus on simple physical tasks like bending down to put on socks or walking 40 ft. without becoming out of breath. If you’re not sure what goals are achievable for your senior parent, work with their primary care physician or physical therapist to narrow down what’s possible after their stroke?

Stick to the prescribed exercise routine. After your senior loved one has experienced a stroke, it is likely that they met with a physical therapist in the hospital or in a short-term rehab setting. The physical therapist is able to evaluate mom or dad’s physical state and prescribe exercises that will help strengthen and recover the afflicted areas. These exercises are crucial for recovery because they will not only help build up muscle but will also help teach the brain new ways to move. Sticking to the prescribed routine will support your loved one’s journey to regaining independence with daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and bathing.

Stay positive and prioritize mental health. Mom or dad’s recovery depends not only on regaining physical strength but focusing on mental strength as well. Unfortunately, after a stroke, it’s common for the person to experience discouragement and even depression. If these feelings aren’t addressed and tackled head-on, the road to recovery becomes more difficult. That’s why it’s important to always encourage your loved ones to stay positive and to keep working towards their goals. If you are having trouble addressing their mental health, you should consult a professional for evaluation, treatment options, and added support.

Make lifestyle changes to reduce future stroke risk. While your loved one focuses on their physical therapy and mental health, it’s also important for them to incorporate healthier lifestyle changes to avoid having another stroke in the future. For example, if mom or dad doesn’t have the best diet (along with high blood pressure and cholesterol), now is the time to engage them in a low fat, low cholesterol diet incorporating heart-healthy foods such as leafy green vegetables, wholegrain, and fatty fish instead of processed meats. Your loved one should also cut out unhealthy habits like smoking and avoid succumbing to a sedentary lifestyle. Never underestimate the power of a good diet and exercise program!

Stroke Recovery at UMC at Pitman

Seniors who choose to recover at UMC at Pitman receive 24-hour comprehensive care and supervision. Rehabilitation represents the perfect intersection of healthcare, technology, and human connection. Complemented by our environment and professional associates, we can successfully treat those with complex health conditions like stroke recovery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, surgical recovery, and more.

For more information about short-term rehab in Gloucester County, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://pitman.umcommunities.org/

Original content posted on https://pitman.umcommunities.org/2021/10/04/how-seniors-can-recover-from-a-stroke/