Inpatient Vs Outpatient Rehabilitation: Making A Decision

30 September 2021 by Brent Woods

Physical rehabilitation services are offered in both inpatient rehabilitative facilities, as well as in the comfort of your own home, with outpatient therapy. Both options are effective at helping recovering patients return to their daily activities, including weight-bearing activities and walking, but there is some difference in the delivery of these services. Whether it is you or a loved one that needs therapy, learn more about each option so that you can determine which option is an ideal match.

Therapy Intensity

It is helpful to assess the intensity of therapy that is necessary to reach your goal. Consider cardiac rehabilitation, for example. The physical portion of this type of rehabilitation often relies on good heart-health promoting exercises that rely on monitored, medically approved exercise equipment. Many of the exercises performed on these machines can be altered for in-home treatment, but inpatient treatment in a facility that allows access to this equipment is often encouraged and more effective.

Accessibility

Rehab is a very important part of the recovery process, so it is essential that patients attend each therapy appointment as prescribed. Whenever accessibility to care is an issue, such as a lack of transportation, or another issue, outpatient care is always a good option. With outpatient care, a licensed professional will come to your home and perform your prescribed therapy treatment so that you do not have to worry about getting to and from your appointments if it is a challenge.

Coordinated Care

If your rehabilitative treatments require coordinated care, it is helpful to consider treatment within an inpatient facility. Whether it is recovery from a surgery or an injury, some treatments require a multidisciplinary approach, such as physical therapy, as well as occupational and speech therapy services. In these sorts of scenarios, treatment within an inpatient facility is often ideal, as you will often have access to all your professionals in one convenient location.

Compassionate Care

Whether the therapy is performed in the home or outside the home, the team of professionals will always work to ensure each patient feels safe and comfortable. However, for those individuals who would prefer to move at their own pace and perform their therapy exercises in the privacy of their home, in-home therapy is always a helpful and convenient option. 

It is also helpful to contact any facility you are considering and ask questions about their services, so be sure to reach out and get your questions answered so that you can make the right choice for your needs. For more information about rehabilitative care, contact a local company, like Dominion Physical Therapy.

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