Protecting an Elderly Loved One

Benefits of Rehab Care After Illness, Injury, or Surgery

by Margie Adams

Injuries, illnesses, and surgeries can take quite a toll on the human body. Some of them require extensive rehabilitation to help people return to normal activities from before the event. In some cases, rehab care is required to teach people to live with new limitations. These are a few benefits of investing in rehab care.

Access to Medical Professional to Monitor Progress and Setbacks

Rehab care is conducted by qualified medical professionals. These individuals are trained in how the body works and know what to look for, medically and physiologically speaking, to indicate potential problems or regression. Physical therapists and rehab therapists can also see if the patient is struggling to move forward or experiencing some type of medical setback that needs to be addressed by a physician far better than a more casual and untrained observer.

Faster Recovery and Return to Independence

Whether the physician anticipates a full return to functionality after an injury, illness, or surgery, the ultimate goal of rehab care is to provide a path by which the patient can achieve as much independence as is possible in light of the specific condition. Whether it is full functionality or relearning key things, like how to walk correctly, how to use your hand, or even how to speak after a stroke, rehab care allows patients to achieve this new level of independence faster than going it alone, without the safety net that rehab care provides.

Reduces Risks of Reinjury

The primary injury, illness, or condition is often traumatic enough. However, patients who return to their "ordinary" lives too soon and without the benefit of rehabilitative care to strengthen and re-train them, often reinjure themselves. As a result, they find themselves in need of more invasive and extensive care and treatment. This alone is a major reason to at least consider rehab care upon leaving the hospital and before returning to routine activities.

Helps Patients Increase Endurance or Stamina Before Returning Home

It takes a lot of effort and energy to get through seemingly effortless activities while your body recovers from illnesses, injuries, and surgeries. Normal activities take longer to accomplish and require longer recovery periods before moving on to the next activity. Rehab care can help patients build stamina and endurance so they can push through and meet their goals.

Rehab care is an important part of the recovery process for patients of every stripe. Those who dedicate themselves to their rehabilitative care and exercises often experience greater success in their recovery efforts than those who ignore this important step.

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