October 31, 2017
Author lancaster
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 +
September 10, 2017
Author lancaster
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 +
August 14, 2017
Author lancaster
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 +
July 28, 2017
Author lancaster
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 +
May 17, 2017
Author lancaster
After surgery, patients receive a lengthy list of instructions along with a series of scheduled follow-up visits with the surgeon and probably some form of therapy. While it can be overwhelming initially, this packet of information will prove valuable for safe and speedy recovery. We’ve taken some of the more common elements you’ll find on a recovery packet and distilled it down to 5 key tips, or areas, to be aware of during recovery. Follow the Doctor’s Advice: Put That Down Patients are often eager to return to normal life after a hospital visit, however jumping back into a normal routine right away can quickly cause pain, inflammation, open up incisions, or even more damage. Lifting heavy objects (or children) is a common way to re-injureRead More +
March 16, 2017
Author lancaster
After spending days, weeks, or more in the hospital, it’s pretty normal to be anxious to get back to your normal routine at home or work. You vaguely recall the doctor mentioning the process of getting back to the routine, but you were fixated on the routine—not the journey. The discharge nurse will likely hand you a stack of papers, among which are your prescribed therapies and nearby rehabilitation centers offering the prescribed services, but it may not be until you or your caregiver is sifting through the paperwork do you see this information. Is it really that important to follow the doctor’s guidelines? In a word: Yes. 1: Faster Recovery The simplest answer is that properly-guided therapies including physical therapy and occupational therapy, among others,Read More +
February 18, 2017
Author lancaster
With an increasing dependency on technology in the home, it was only a matter of time before we had a solid means to ensure medications are taken on time. Everything from ‘Net-connected thermostats and toasters to refrigerators that can be accessed from the grocery store if you’re just not sure if you have enough broccoli for dinner, wireless technology has crossed from convenience to dependence. While the repercussions of slightly-over-toasted bread won’t have long-term impact, missing doses of critical medications can impact pain management, lengthen recovery time, or significantly impair one’s ability to function. Pill Tracking – The Methods Since the earliest forms of prescription, people have relied on tools such as calendars, lists, and other people in order to track dosage and consumption. WithRead More +
