Transitioning Home From a Rehab Center

You’ve worked hard to rehabilitate your body after your illness or injury and are now ready to return home. While the hard part of the process is mostly over, returning home may present a few unexpected challenges. While home health services will help with a smoother transition from your rehab center to home, there are many things you can do to ensure you successfully readjust.

EXPECT CHANGES

Chances are that you now have temporary or permanent limitations you didn’t have before. It may be mobility, stamina, or even a need for assistive devices such as a walker, cane, or a wheelchair.

These changes and the new needs you must adjust to may change how you go about your day. If you adjust your expectations accordingly, you’ll find you’re much better prepared when frustrations arise.

PLAN AHEAD

For those who need assistive devices or have mobility limitations after rehabilitation, physical or structural changes may need to be made within the home. This can be anything from installing grab rails in the bathrooms to moving the location of a bedroom to a lower floor.

In some cases, it means that doorways and halls need to be widened to accommodate wheelchairs and/or walkers or that furniture needs to be moved or removed from the home to create extra space. If these changes are made before transitioning home, it will ease a great deal of hesitation or fear.

ARRANGE TO HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK TO

Returning home after rehabilitation is exciting, frightening, and an adjustment. Even if necessary changes are minimal, it can be difficult when you can’t simply step back into the life and the role you had before. You may feel that revealing your frustrations to your spouse, children, or other loved ones would burden them unnecessarily, it’s important to have someone you can trust and talk to about your feelings. Consider talking with a trusted clergy member or seeking counseling to help you deal with the emotional toll your new circumstances may take.

LEARN TO ASK FOR HELP

After a lifetime of doing for and helping others, this may be the most difficult step for you to take. It’s OK to ask for help. In some cases, the only way to get the help you need is to ask for it. You will be much better able to care for your loved ones if you get the assistance you need to do so.

Whether it’s needing help reaching or rearranging items so that they are easier for you to access, or simply help to get started on difficult days, asking for help is not a burden to the people who love you and want to make your life easier while you’re continuing to recover at home.

 

Ohio Living Home Health offers as much or as little help as you need by providing skilled services under your doctor's direction. Our home health is an affordable, comprehensive program that provides the skilled health care services and assistance you need. We pride ourselves for programs and services that meet the needs of adults who wish to age safely and comfortably in the place they call home.