Returning Home after Hospital Stay in Barrington, IL

Go Home, Stay Home!

| Comments (0)

After a hospital stay most patients are eager to return home as soon as possible. This desire is no less true for the elderly and with some planning the return to home is not only possible but achievable. Depending on the patient and the need for the hospitalization, making the home safe and efficient for an individual can be done by family members and friends with some minor changes to the home. First, if the patient is recovering from a complicated surgery (like a joint replacement surgery or stomach surgery) then issues like stairs will need to be addressed. If there is no access to same floor bedroom and bathroom then perhaps a dining room or living room can be converted to into a recoveryRead More +

Hearing Aids for Seniors

You Should Hear This!

| Comments (0)

As we age our senses gradually diminish; hearing loss is an ailment that affects many seniors. The loss of hearing can be attributed to many other problems, such as an increase in falls and loss of balance. There can be many reasons that a senior is experiencing an increase in falls or is losing balance. Medications, illness, dementia can all lead to balance related issues. However, the inner ear should never be ignored and may be a very curable place to start. The inner ear houses the system that controls the balance center. When the balance center is disturbed then problems result. Such disturbances can include fluid in the ear, ear infections and Vertigo. Additionally, falls can result because the senior did not hear anRead More +

Complete Knee Replacement Recovery

What To Expect: Knee Replacement Recovery

| Comments (0)

Even if you’ve been living with knee pain for years, a total knee replacement (TKR) surgery can be an overwhelming thought.  “How long will recovery take?” and “will my insurance cover it?” to “will it work?” are common questions you may have also asked.  While we can’t address all nuances of insurance coverage, we can discuss the recovery process—it’s what we do. Rehabilitation Begins Immediately With many soft tissue surgeries, doctors may ask that you stay immobilized or at least minimize movement for the affected region or muscle group, however with joint replacement surgery, doctors often recommend beginning physical therapy immediately.  Of course, this will not include running a 5K or deep lunges or squats, but likely will include getting you up and out ofRead More +

Rehab Center vs. Nursing Home

Not Your Grandma’s Nursing Home: Why Going Home Is A Big Deal

| Comments (0)

As you may have guessed, a significant difference between a rehabilitation facility and nursing home is the former is a facility designed to send the vast majority of patients back home after a period of time of live-in therapies.  Well, that’s the simple answer.  Read on for a more in-depth analysis of the difference beyond length of stay. We’re On Your Schedule We’ve all heard horror stories of nursing homes waking patients at all hours of the night to administer medication, bathe, or feed them.  While this certainly isn’t ideal, and most good nursing facilities prefer not work this way, the reality is they have limited staff availability over the long haul, so alternative scheduling methods must be employed to ensure all patients receive whatRead More +

Stroke Recovery: How long does it take?

How Long Does Stroke Recovery Take?

| Comments (0)

A common question people ask when a loved one survives a stroke is, “how long until they recover?”  This can be difficult to answer, since so many variables come into play, such as what brain functions were affected, what is the age of the patient, and what health were they in when the stroke event occurred?  Even with all of these questions answered there is no simple answer, however through extensive research, scientists have a better understanding of the typical recovery process and timeline. So…How Long? While full recovery may or may not be in the cards, typically one can expect to see the most aggressive improvement in the first 3 to 4 months of meaningful stroke rehabilitation.  This may involve a variety of therapiesRead More +

Guided Imagery Therapy in Wauconda, IL

What is Guided Imagery?

| Comments (0)

When you think of guided imagery you may be thinking of those new, nifty 3D goggles you’ve seen advertised on TV, or possibly sessions with your eyes closed with a coach helping you imagine certain activities or experiences, and you’d be right. Partially.  Guided imagery relies heavily on one’s mental focus and ability to process and accept new stimulants, but it’s not limited to mind games.  A simple way to articulate the scope of guided imagery is to be coached through a series of mental exercises which include sensory elements designed to enhance the vividness of the experience. As part of a rehabilitation plan, guided imagery can help alleviate stress through breaking down mental blocks about exercises, coordination, and anxiety about performance or predicted pain.Read More +

Occupational Therapy Center in Wauconda, IL

Questions To Ask When Choosing An Occupational Therapy Facility

| Comments (0)

Usually when patients or loved ones hear require occupational therapy will be required, they don’t fully grasp the definition or goals of such therapy. And often they are still reeling from the traumatic event that created this need—be it accident, illness, or complicated surgery. Many jump straight to a Web search to gain a basic understanding of occupational therapy, however few go so far as to learn how the type of facility and therapist can impact their recovery. Healthy patient recovery is of paramount importance at Wauconda Care, so we’ve outlined a few questions to ask any therapists or facilities you’re considering for your in-patient (or outpatient) occupational therapy. Do you have specialists in my need? Seems reasonable, right? Often in that whirlwind of dramaRead More +

Rehabilitation Services in Wauconda, IL and Surrounding Areas

6 Benefits of Physical Therapy

| Comments (0)

Heading to a physical therapy center offers improved recovery times for patients recovering from injuries or surgery, but daily physical therapy offers far more than just aid in recovery. More primary care physicians are referring patients for short-term PT at the first sign of problems, since PT has been proven to be an effective and conservative approach to managing many medical problems. Here’s a closer look at some of the benefits physical therapy offers patients. Benefit #1 – Reduce Pain Levels Manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercises, including soft tissue mobilization, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and joint mobilization treatments have the ability to help restore joint and muscle function, which can help reduce pain. Therapies offered at a physical therapy center also have the ability toRead More +

Rehab Center near Barrington, IL

Nursing Home vs Rehabilitation Center: Benefits of Choosing a Rehab Center

| Comments (0)

If your loved one is recovering from an illness, surgery, or an injury, you may be looking for a good nursing home where they can recover. However, many patients actually need the care provided at a rehab center instead of a nursing home. What’s the difference between a nursing home and a rehabilitation center? Here’s a closer look at their differences and some helpful information to help you decide which type of facility your loved one will benefit from the most. Nursing Home vs. Rehab Center: Different Goals When comparing a nursing home with a local rehab center, you’ll find that these facilities have different goals. A nursing home usually offers long-term care, and in most cases, patients do not return to their homes, butRead More +

Nursing Home Mental Health

Positive Thinking in Recovery: Tips for Helping Loved Ones Stay Positive During Rehabilitation

| Comments (0)

Studies on patients recovering from heart attacks, strokes, and other physical ailments show that positive thinking in recovery is essential to positive outcomes. However, nursing home mental health is often overlooked by medical professionals and the family members of patients as they go through recovery. Family members play a crucial role in helping patients stay positive during rehabilitation, and the following tips can be used by family members to help loved ones keep a positive mindset throughout the recovery process. Tip #1 – Help Identify Negative Thinking To take advantage of all the benefits of positive thinking in recovery, patients need to first identify negative thinking. Examples of negative thinking include: Filtering – Focusing on only the negative aspects of the situation. Catastrophizing – Expecting negativeRead More +