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, but continue to stay in the nursing home. A rehabilitation center has the goal of getting patients rehabilitated to a point where they can live and function on their own, so these facilities offer short-term care focusing on equipping patients to get back to their life at home.

Rehab facilities offer some significant advantages over nursing homes when it comes to rehabilitation after surgery, injury, or illness. Research has shown that patients recover faster and enjoy better outcomes when put in short-term, acute-care facilities that focus on rehab.

Do I Need a Nursing Home or Live-In Rehabilitation?

If you’re choosing a care facility for your loved one, you may be wondering if you need a nursing home Barrington IL or if you need a Barrington rehab center. Here are a few questions to ask:

• Does your loved one require long term care or short term care? – If your loved one only needs short term care as they recover from a surgery or illness, then a rehab facility will be the best option.
• Will your loved one be able to return home? – Nursing homes are a solution for loved ones who will no longer be able to live on their own. However, if your loved one can recover and return home, a rehab facility will work with your loved one to help them achieve that goal.
• Does your loved one require intensive therapy to recover? – Nursing homes provide some therapies, but generally do not offer the intensive therapy offered in a rehab facility. A rehabilitation center will offer multiple types of intensive therapies to help your loved one improve mobility, balance, endurance, and strength so they can resume their life at home.

You want the best facility for your loved one’s need, so it’s important to understand the differences between a nursing home and a rehab facility. If you’re ready to consider a rehab center for your loved one, contact us today to find out how we can help your loved one recover.