How To Finance Your Rehabilitation And Recovery
The recovery and rehabilitation process is vital after any medical procedure. Whether you suffered a stroke, had a hip replacement or had any type of orthopaedic surgery, the right rehab can help you regain strength, mobility, and independence. In this guide, we discuss why the rehabilitation and recovery process is so important, some of the benefits, the different types and how to get the financing if your medical aid does not provide sufficient cover.
Why You Need Rehabilitation After Surgery
After having surgery, you may be looking forward to going home and resuming life as usual but it’s always that easy. To fully recover, it is important to take part in a rehabilitation program involving therapies and exercises – with the help of medications if necessary.
Even though this process can sometimes seem like too much work or unnecessary hassle, skipping out on a sound rehabilitation and recovery programme could lead to injury or further illness which will only add more pain for longer periods of time!
The outcome of any surgery hinges on how diligently you take care of yourself during your recovery time – and this is especially pertinent for older adults. It’s often too easy to overexert yourself or reach atrophy from inactivity; both of which must be avoided for optimal results.
How Does Rehabilitation Help Patients Recover?
Rehabilitation is designed to help patients recover from physical, mental or emotional trauma. During rehab, you’ll have access to medical care and therapy staff who are able to guide you through the recovery process. The process may take time and some extra effort but it’s well worth it. Here are some of the key objectives of a good rehab programme:
- Enhance mobility and flexibility in the area of the body that had surgery – allowing you to move freely again.
- Help strengthen muscles
- Reduce pain and prevent further injury
- Gets you back on your feet one step at a time with the help of crutches or a walker at first
- Teach simple tasks, including climbing stairs, getting in and out of a car, up from a chair or bed, getting dressed and bathing
Benefits Of Recovering At A Wellness Centre
To ensure a successful and safe recovery, many patients choose to stay at an after-surgery rehab clinic or day hospital. Not only can this keep you from pushing yourself too hard but there are several other benefits of choosing a residential health clinic to complete their rehab programme.
Since patients are surrounded by a host of healthcare providers in a comfortable and safe environment, there’s no need to worry about performing routine daily tasks. This helps patients avoid over-exerting themselves which reduces the risk of injury.
At short-term rehab facilities, registered nurses are always on standby to help patients with whatever they need. They will watch out for any new symptoms that may arise and dispense medication if needed.
Rehabilitation clinics also often have registered dieticians. They can help prepare meal plans that are not only delicious but also nutritious. Remember, hydration, nutrition and rest are vital for a speedy recovery.
Types Of Rehabilitation After Surgery
Rehabilitation for surgical procedures can be divided into two categories: physical and occupational therapy. Physical therapy focuses on restoring movement, strength and balance while occupational therapy works to improve daily activities such as dressing, bathing and household tasks. Here are some of the most commonly-used postoperative rehab plans:
Post-Op Physical Therapy
By engaging in rehabilitation exercises, mobility drills and therapeutic treatments after a knee or hip replacement operation, you can strengthen the muscles around your joint while alleviating pain and swelling. A physical therapist is an invaluable asset who will not only improve your range of motion but also coach you through each step of recovery to ensure that you get back on track as quickly as possible.
Occupational therapy
After surgery, certain tasks can feel overwhelming — from walking and climbing stairs to caring for pets and doing simple housework like cleaning. Occupational therapy offers a solution as you will be taught how to make modifications in your environment as well as adjustments in daily activity that allow you to more comfortably resume typical daily routines.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation And Recovery
Patients recovering from lung surgery may require pulmonary rehabilitation to restore their breathing and lung capacity. Certified respiratory therapists can guide you in developing new breathing techniques, as well as adapting exercises that will help enhance your oxygen levels and endurance.
Speech Therapy After Surgery
If you’ve had neck or head surgery, it can profoundly affect your communication abilities. However, with thorough speech and language therapy sessions, you may be able to effectively solve problems related to speaking, understanding, voice control and swallowing. Speech therapy can give you the confidence to get your life back on track with improved communication skills.
Financing For Rehabilitation And Recovery
Rehabilitation typically takes place at a rehabilitation clinic or day hospital/wellness centre. Patients who have had a hip replacement, for example, may need physiotherapy and additional medical care, but medical aid may only cover a few sessions. In this case, patients can apply to MediFin for the shortfall of the account, or private patients can apply for the full amount.
In addition to physiotherapy, there are also occupational therapists, speech therapists, and dieticians who can help patients recover after surgery. If the hospital does not have available beds, patients can go to Intercare Rehabilitation Day Hospitals or Spescare Hospitals. Through MediFin, patients can apply for a medical loan to cover rehabilitation and recovery costs, whatever they may be.
