Planning for Life After Physical Rehab for Elderly Parents

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Many young and middle-aged adults find themselves seeking general guidance on how to approach planning for the future when an elderly parent has experienced a fall and broken bones or in other ways shown signs of needing more help and supervision. It’s important to consult with medical professionals and specialists who can provide personalized advice based on your parents’ specific condition. Here are some steps you can consider:

1. Immediately following a fall or other medical emergency, seek immediate medical attention: The first priority is to ensure your parent receives prompt medical care immediately. Call emergency services or take them to the nearest hospital. Depending on the severity of the situation a hospital stay to deal with injuries may be required.
2. Understand the extent of the injuries: Consult with the healthcare professionals treating your parent to get a clear understanding of the injuries, their severity, and the expected recovery process. This will help you anticipate the level of care, rehab services and support your parent may require in the near future.
3. Coordinate with healthcare providers: Establish open lines of communication with your parent’s doctors, nurses, and therapists. Ask questions, seek clarification, and stay informed about the treatment plan, medications, and any rehabilitation exercises or therapy your parent may need. Some of the required services might be physical occupational and speech therapy, inpatient rehabilitation or other rehabilitation services.
4. Assess the home environment: Once your parent is ready to be discharged from the hospital, assess their living environment for safety. Consider modifications like installing grab bars, ramps, or removing tripping hazards to reduce the risk of future accidents. You may also explore assistive devices such as walkers or canes to aid mobility.
5. Support with daily activities: Determine if your parent will need home health assistance with daily tasks during their recovery period. This could involve helping with meal preparation, personal hygiene, medication management, help with activities of daily living or transportation to medical appointments.
6. Consider professional care services: If your parent’s recovery requires more support than you can provide alone, consider hiring professional caregivers or exploring home healthcare services. These professionals can assist with medical needs, physical therapy and post surgery rehabilitation exercises, and overall well-being.
7. Financial and legal matters: Review your parent’s financial situation and ensure important legal documents, such as wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, are in order. If necessary, consult an attorney or financial advisor to help navigate these matters.
8. Emotional support: Remember to take care of your own emotional well-being, as caregiving can be challenging. Seek support from family, friends, or support groups to help manage stress and ensure you have the necessary support system in place.
9. Plan for ongoing care: Depending on your parent’s recovery progress and long-term needs, discuss and plan for their ongoing care. This could involve considering various living communities, coordinating with healthcare professionals, exploring assisted living or nursing home options for older adults, or hiring additional caregivers.

It’s important to note that every situation is unique, and your parent’s healthcare team will provide the most accurate guidance tailored to their specific condition.

Getting Started at Mercy Rehabilitation in Swansea, IL

If you are someone you know is interested in learning more Mercy Rehab, contact us in one of the following ways:

• If the patient is still in the hospital, ask the patient’s social worker to send a medical referral to Mercy Rehab.
• If the person in need of services is at home, contact your physician and request that medical records be sent to Mercy Rehab.
• If the patient is in another nursing facility, request that facility to send a medical referral to Mercy Rehab.
• You are always welcome to stop by for a tour and ask additional questions regarding the admissions process.
• You can always call us at: 618-236-1391