What Are The Types of Post-Acute Care?

Years ago, people suffering from illness, injury, or major surgery were able to recover in the hospital as long as they needed, but modern health insurance policies have trended toward reducing time spent in the hospital. In place of extended hospital care, post acute care has become an essential health service offered by nursing homes, home healthcare aides, and skilled nursing facilities.

Post-acute care blends well with existing services offered at skilled nursing facilities, with treatments customize*d to each patient’s need. Here are some of the types of post-acute care available:

Wound care and other medical services

Many severe wounds require frequent monitoring and bandage changes to prevent infection and ensure the healing process is proceeding properly. Patients recovering from amputations, burns, and other major injuries benefit from treatment at post-acute care facilities, which also provide medical services, such as changing IVs and administering medications.

Physical therapy

After a major injury, surgery, or extended illness, many patients require physical therapy to increase mobility, strength, and range of motion. With the goal of returning patients to their pre-injury or pre-illness abilities, physical therapy is beneficial for those recovering from hip fractures, cerebrovascular accidents, and a wide range of orthopedic conditions. Physical therapy is also helpful for patients with chronic conditions such as arthritis, and patients recovering from a stroke or spinal cord injury. Rehabilitative methods include stretching, active resistance exercises, biofeedback, and manual therapy.

Occupational therapy

Occupational therapy helps improve a patient’s ability to perform daily routines such as eating, bathing, dressing, housework, and meal preparation after suffering from major fractures, amputations, burns, spinal cord injury, and stroke. Occupational therapy can also help improve strength, mobility, and cognitive limitations such as memory loss and problem-solving difficulties for patients with neurological disorders. Rehabilitation often involves adaptive equipment training with special devices that help patients perform daily living activities and ease mobility.

Speech therapy

Speech therapy is often associated with children learning to pronounce sounds correctly, but it is an incredibly useful and successful treatment for patients recovering from a brain injury, stroke, or neurological disorder that has affected communication skills. Patients learn how to speak concisely, find the right words, and exercise volume control. Speech therapy also helps with cognition, memory, and reading and writing, and is useful for patients suffering from dementia. Another unique benefit of speech therapy is dysphagia retraining, which strengthens throat muscles for patients having trouble swallowing after a stroke, brain injury, or other damage to the central nervous system.

A compassionate continuum of care

Bella Vista Health Center provides a patient-centered continuum of care, offering short-term rehabilitation or long-term care after hospitalization. Stroke therapy in San Diego. We understand that transitions can be challenging, and we offer customized treatment programs that address both the physical and emotional needs of each patient. Our professional and compassionate team of physicians, nurses, therapists, psychologists, and social workers ensure the transition from hospital to home will be as smooth as possible in our calm and nurturing atmosphere. If you or a loved one is in need of post-acute care, we can help. Call us at (619) 644-1000 or fill out our contact form to schedule a tour of our 5-Star Skilled Nursing Facility.