A large number of people assume that healthcare involves only the dispensing of medication for specific illnesses. Although this is a significant part of healthcare, it is only a fraction of the care services offered. There are different levels of care to suit the needs of patients at different stages of an illness. Transitional or subacute care, for instance, is designed for those with an acute injury or illness or exacerbation of a condition.
It is a goal-oriented treatment offered by licensed nursing homes in Worcester, Massachusetts after hospitalization. It can also be rendered to patients with long-term conditions who need complicated treatments. Subacute care is meant to transition a patient to their previous level of independence and functioning after recovering from an illness. It needs the coordination of an interdisciplinary team that will handle various services to get a patient back to picture-perfect health. Here are the services included in transition care:
Physical, Speech, and Occupational Therapies
Physical, speech, and occupational therapies are essential to get patients back to their highest level of functioning following the rigors of a disease process. Physical therapy, for instance, is designed to boost your balance and improve safety when walking after surgery. It also improves your cardio fitness after a cardiac arrest and maintains your independence to handle activities of daily living after a stroke. Many centers offer these therapies nowadays, but they might not be safe. The professionals in nursing homes are well-placed to assess how much stress your body can handle and tailor your treatment appropriately.
Intravenous Therapy
There are instances when you might need intravenous fluids and medications for some time after your discharge from a hospital. Nursing homes can offer intravenous treatment on an outpatient basis to reduce the chances of contracting new infections with prolonged hospital admission. Other centers can send skilled staff to offer therapy in your home.
Pain Management
Getting discharged from the hospital will not necessarily mean an end to your pain and discomfort, more so after a surgical procedure. While you might get some oral medications to manage your pain at home, some of the most effective drugs might be controlled and should thus only be used under skilled supervision. Other than medications, professionals in nursing homes might recommend exercise, massage, and psychological distractions for pain management.
Wound Management
This is essential for post-surgical patients and those with mobility issues who often develop pressure sores. Wound management comprises cleansing, debridement, and sometimes stitching. There are also instances when compression therapy will be used to increase blood flow to a wound and strengthen the area to boost healing. Antibiotics will also be prescribed if the wound is in a place where there is a high risk of contamination.
When most people hear of nursing homes, they assume that they are a place where the elderly live their final days out. Although nursing homes cater to the medical care needs of the elderly and guarantee their comfort when faced with various age-related issues, they also handle several forms of care. The services mentioned above for those who need transition care are essential to guarantee your quick recovery and a return to a healthy state.