Rehabilitation FAQs
How do I get to Swain Community Hospital?
Who will pay for my stay?
Rehabilitation services are fully or partially covered by most health insurance plans. Most managed care insurance plans require a pre-authorization for inpatient rehabilitation services.
Am I at risk for a fall?
- Have you experienced a stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, Parkinson's disease or other neurological problem that has affected your balance?
- Do you take medicine for two or more of the following diseases: heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, anxiety, depression, pain or thyroid?
- Have you fallen more than once in the past year?
- Do you use a walker or a wheelchair, or do you need assistance to get around (including holding on to furniture when indoors)?
- Do you have difficulty sitting down or rising from a seated or lying position?
- Do you feel dizzy or unsteady if you make sudden changes in movement, such as bending over, quickly turning while walking, lying down, looking up or quickly turning your head?
- Due to balancing difficulties, do you restrict or are you fearful of the following activities?
- Taking a walk
- Carrying a full plate across the room
- Getting in and/or out of the car
- Getting on or off the commode
- Stepping off curbs
- Climbing stairs
- Walking on a crowded sidewalk
If you answered YES to any of the above questions, you could benefit from a consultation by a physical therapist who specializes in balance.
How can a physical therapist reduce my risk of falling?
A physical therapist can help you with:
- Exercise: Learn how to improve your range of motion, strength and cardiovascular capabilities
- Education: Learn how to make your environment safe and how to select proper footwear for different surfaces
- Sensory-deficit awareness: Learn how to adjust or compensate for your losses, and learn energy-saving techniques to allow you to perform activities of daily living safely
- Gait training: Improve your ability to walk with or without a device such as a cane, walker or crutches
- Balance re-education: Learn how to compensate for poor balance to make you safer in your home environment
- Postural re-education: Become aware of your posture problems and learn to perform the proper stretches and exercises that will make you safer while moving
- Vestibular rehabilitation: A specialized exercise program designed for the individual with dizziness and poor balance secondary to an inner ear problem
What should I expect from outpatient rehabilitation?
Starting outpatient rehabilitation is a personalized journey tailored to your specific recovery. Whether you're regaining mobility after a stroke, managing carpal tunnel or returning to sport after an injury, we can help you get back to doing what you love. Here is a brief overview of the process.
Phase 1: The Comprehensive Assessment
Your journey begins with a thorough evaluation by our clinical team. This initial visit includes a review of your medical history, physical health and mental well-being. By understanding your lifestyle and unique challenges, we create a customized treatment plan designed to help you reach your specific recovery goals.
Phase 2: Regular Therapy Sessions
While every session is different, your appointments will focus on a mix of hands-on treatment and functional practice. We address a wide range of needs, including:
- Mobility & Balance: Targeted exercises and manual therapy.
- Daily Living Skills: Self-care, cooking and independent living tasks.
- Specialized Recovery: Speech, cognition, swallowing and more
- Education: Understanding your condition and how to manage it at home.