A Quick Guide to Acute vs. Subacute Rehab Programs

After a serious injury or chronic condition occurs, doctors often prescribe various care programs — such as acute or subacute rehabilitation programs — for healing. But what is sub acute rehab and acute care? We get it: understanding each type of care  — let alone choosing the right level of care — can be challenging. Especially when you’re trying to heal, making that decision is that much harder. Although many hospital members can help lay out options for acute and sub-acute rehabilitation programs, you know what’s best for you. When it comes to making your decision, you’re not alone. We’re here to help. Village Walk here. Our team of medical and assisted living professionals has more than 30 years of experience caring for seniors who live with chronic and acute physical and memory-related conditions. We’re here to help you make your decision a little bit easier. In this article, we’ll describe the differences between these sub-acute and acute care. We’ll also discuss the role skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities play in the process. Let’s dive in! Defining acute rehabilitation services Acute rehabilitation aims to deliver high-intensity, caring, in-patient therapy. With acute rehab, patients regain basic functionality and independence with daily life. In most cases, acute care involves three or more hours a day of therapy, five to seven days a week. Most therapy sessions include a combination of physical, occupational, and speech-therapy-related treatments. Many elderly patients living with physical ailments and memory-related issues — such Lewy body dementia — receive medical management with acute care. Many times, acute care treatments involve several health professionals. Let’s take for example a senior who’s taken a fall. This senior may receive physical therapy and rehabilitation from physical therapists, physiatrists, and occupational therapists. With acute care, medical professionals work together to help a patient recover and move forward.Acute care is for people who’ve experienced, for example, the following conditions: For patients who can’t withstand the intensity of acute care, sub-acute programs can help. Defining sub-acute rehabilitation services Sub-acute rehabilitation tends to provide less vigorous therapy schedules. This type of rehabilitation helps patients who are transitioning from an acute rehabilitation facility or who can’t tolerate the intensity of the schedules for acute care. Some subacute care patients opt to stay with an enhanced assisted living facility as part of their healing process. At Village Walk, we accommodate these patients. At our facility, patients have access to: With subacute rehab, patients receive therapy for about one to two hours each day. Subacute care is for: Conditions that might warrant subacute care include: If subacute care sounds all-encompassing, it is! It’s meant to help patients return to daily life with as high a level of strength, comfort, and functionality. You’re invited! Did you know we teach a community college class in the local Patchogue, NY, community? Contact us today, or check out our Facebook events page to learn more! Table: The difference between acute and subacute rehab Acute rehabilitation Subacute rehabilitation Summary Acute therapy lasts three or more hours and involves almost daily therapy sessions. Subacute therapy is for people who need long-term care to help maintain a quality of life. Therapy lasts about one to two hours per day. It’s for patients who need a less intense version of acute therapy. Length of sessions 3 or more hours of therapy per day 1-2 hours of therapy a day Type of therapy A combination of physical, occupational, speech, psychological, and physiotherapy with a multidisciplinary team A combination of physical, occupational, speech, psychological, and physiotherapy with a multidisciplinary team Applicable medical conditions Serious medical issues warranting short-term intervention, such as:1. Brain injuries2. Amputations3. Heart attacks4. Debilitating pneumonia5. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease6. Intensive orthopedic surgeries7. Strokes8. Spinal cord injuries9. Failed out-patient treatments10. And more Medical issues that involve long-term care, such as: 1. Dementia2. Spinal cord injuries3. Terminal illnesses4. Persistent health Conditions related to strokes5. Neuromuscular conditions6. And more Recover strength and vitality at Village Walk’s assisted living facility To recap, acute care is an intensive form of rehabilitation for people who’ve completed a hospital stay but need more help with their condition. Subacute care is for people who can use a less intensive form of acute therapy — or have already completed acute therapy — to regain full functionality. When it comes to recovery, we understand how important making the best decision possible for your loved one and your family can be. If you or a loved one have experienced a serious illness or injury, why not give us a call? Our senior living concierge staff are here to help you make the best possible decisions for the journey ahead. Our “Meet Me Where I Am” program is based on understanding your needs and adapting to the moment. We join individuals in their current reality and help them chart the course of their condition with clear, compassionate, and personalized health programs that enhance quality of life. To learn more about what our Village can do for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our knowledgeable and caring senior concierge staff. We’d be happy to see you through the healing process ahead. Frequently asked questions about acute and subacute care What’s the difference between hospital, acute, and subacute care? The difference between an inpatient/outpatient hospital stay, acute rehabilitation, and subacute care lies in the intensity and frequency of care. With a short-term hospital stay and acute rehab, patients engage in a vigorous and intense therapy schedule. In contrast, subacute rehab tends to be for patients who are moving from an acute rehab facility or hospital to a skilled nursing home facility, memory care facility, assisted living facility, or their home. Subacute care patients may be getting better or need less intense rehab services. Who qualifies for subacute care? Patients who qualify for sub-acute rehab and care may have experienced the following: What are the benefits of choosing an assisted living facility for subacute care? As hospitals continue to surge with new patients, the market for post-acute