If you or a senior loved one has experienced a planned surgery, injury, accident or serious illness, recovery might be a long road. Sometimes a person begins the rehabilitation process while they are still hospitalized. Many times, however, patients are discharged from the hospital before they are fully back on their feet.
As part of a person’s discharge plan, the treating physician might order additional therapy. It could be a stay at a short-term rehab center or an outpatient therapy program. Both of these therapy options have the shared goal of restoring a patient to their highest practical level of functioning.
People often appreciate outpatient therapy as it allows them to continue their recovery at home and travel to the outpatient rehab center for treatment. Most outpatient settings offer both physical and occupational therapy services, and some also provide speech therapy if necessary.
Why Consider Outpatient Therapy?
Every person’s situation and path to recovery is unique, so their treatment plan should be too. That’s why rehabilitation often encompasses two types of services: physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT). These professionals work together on a patient’s behalf. PT focuses on improving a patient’s ability to move their body, and OT is centered on recovering the ability to perform activities of daily living. Both are important for helping people regain strength and reduce pain, enabling them to return to their previous lifestyle and level of activity.
So, why should an adult who needs therapy consider receiving it on an outpatient basis? Here are a few of the reasons it can be beneficial:
- Recovery at home: Outpatient therapy allows the patient to recover in the comfort and privacy of their own home, where most people say they prefer to be after an illness, injury or surgery.
- Minimal disruption: Depending on a person’s situation, being able to utilize outpatient therapy can be less disruptive to daily life. Patients can request appointments at times that are convenient for them. That may allow people to maintain their employment schedule, family needs and social obligations.
- Financial considerations: While this will vary depending on the type of health insurance a person has, outpatient therapy is sometimes less expensive than inpatient care. There may be fewer and lower deductibles and co-pays.
Outpatient Therapy at American Senior Communities
American Senior Communities (ASC) is well-known for providing high quality inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. Those who opt for outpatient treatment will benefit from:
- Clinically proven strategies with a personalized approach. Every outpatient therapy patient will have a unique treatment plan with carefully selected goals.
- Services that combine highly trained and compassionate therapists with the latest technologies. Team members work hard to deliver the highest quality care while also making it fun!
- A therapy team that coordinates goals and plans with your physician. This cooperation helps to ensure patients achieve their best outcomes.
If you or a loved one needs to begin or continue therapy services and would like to do so on an outpatient basis, we invite you to call the ASC rehabilitation location nearest you to talk with an experienced team member. They’ll be happy to answer your questions and set up a time for an in-person visit.
