Choosing a Rehab Service Provider
Rehabilitation therapy is important after surgery, illness, accident or to help manage a health condition. Rehabilitation goals focus on maximising independence with your mobility and personal and domestic care activities.
Rehabilitation helps you return to your favourite leisure pursuits whether it is golf or gardening, returning to work and also driving. Rehabilitation is about living your best life possible!
When choosing a rehabilitation provider you may also wish to consider the following:
- Speak to family and friends about their rehabilitation experiences.
- Consult with your surgeon, specialist or GP prior to your surgery and ask for their recommendation.
- Speak with the case manager, nurse and doctors at the hospital where you are having your surgery.
- Does the rehabilitation provider have a multi-disciplinary approach to your recovery? Depending on your needs you may need access to services including medical, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, hydrotherapy, speech therapy, dietetics, psychology, social work and discharge planning?
- A rehabilitation provider that is close to home, whilst being convenient for friends and family is not the main reason you should choose a facility.
- Ask to have a tour of the rehabilitation provider to look at the accommodation and other therapy facilities.
- Does the rehabilitation provider have inpatient services if you require 24 hour nursing and medical care?
- Do they have a day program? A day program allows you to continue working towards your rehabilitation goals once you have returned home.
- Do they have social workers and/or discharge planners who are there to ensure your safe discharge home or to another location and are able to access and organise community resources if you require it?
- Do they have transport available if you are attending day program therapy and are unable to drive?
- If you are choosing a private rehabilitation provider, make sure you have the appropriate health insurance cover.