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What are the Different Types of Rehabilitation Programs?

Erin Oxendine
Erin Oxendine

Rehabilitation programs are doctor-supervised programs designed to assist individuals with a physical or mental condition that they may not be able to deal with on their own. The therapists who work in these programs treat a variety of conditions including physical conditions, occupational limitations and narcotic abuse. Patients participate in rehabilitation either by going to inpatient sessions for a certain amount of time or visiting the facility on a daily basis for visits until he or she no longer needs the therapy. There are many different types of programs and are administered in medical facilities and by local or county agencies.

One of the many different types of programs is physical therapy that helps people regain use of a body part that was injured or that sustained deterioration from a medical condition. During physical therapy, a physical therapist tries to decrease the amount of pain the person has as well as improve function and mobility. The therapist also develops a treatment plan consisting of exercise, hot and cold massages and nerve stimulation therapy. Some individuals require extensive physical therapy for many months such as those who have hurt several body parts from being in an accident.

Massage therapy may be offered during rehabilitation programs.
Massage therapy may be offered during rehabilitation programs.

Some rehabilitation programs assist individuals who have suffered brain injuries caused by an accident, a blow to the head or severe health condition such as a stroke. The treatment for these types of injuries varies depending on the severity of the brain injury and consists of physical therapy and other activities that will help the person to re-learn cognitive and physical abilities. In extreme cases, patients may need to learn how to read and write again and perform simple things like brushing their teeth. Individuals who have suffered brain injuries often have both short-term and long-term memory loss and the therapist will have to use memory techniques to help the person recognize family members and remember how to do tasks. Unfortunately, some brain defects are permanent and the person may have to live in an assisted living facility that can provide a high level of medical care and therapy.

People may learn how to write again in certain rehabilitation programs.
People may learn how to write again in certain rehabilitation programs.

Drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs provide rehabilitation to people who have a chemical dependency. These types of programs have trained psychologists and therapists who help the patient address the mental reasons why the individual became addicted to the toxic substances. Drug and alcohol treatment centers also have the patient participate in a detoxification plan to get the toxins out of the person’s system so that the person can start to recover physically as well as mentally.

Rehabilitation programs may teach people how to perform basic tasks, like brushing their teeth.
Rehabilitation programs may teach people how to perform basic tasks, like brushing their teeth.

When considering rehabilitation programs, it is important that the patient get the best treatment that is suitable to the mental or physical condition. Make sure that the staff of the facility is licensed and the doctors are board certified in their profession.

Individuals with health insurance should check with their plan provider to make sure the program is covered. If admitting a family member, visit the facility if possible before admitting the individual to see how the staff and patients interact with each other so that you can feel comfortable knowing the staff will be giving your family member the best care.

Discussion Comments

sunshine31

Suntan12 - I just wanted to say that substance abuse rehabilitation programs are really important for the addict to deal with their addiction.

Most offer in patient care because the treatment is so intense and the patient has to be totally focused and free of distractions.

Some of these treatments involve receiving medication for the withdrawal symptoms suffered and it also includes psychotherapy and group therapy to address the reasons for the addiction.

Through cognitive behavioral therapy an addict can begin to understand the underlying patterns of why they make the choices that they make and what drives them to reach for their drug.

Once they undercover the reasons the therapist will be able to recondition the addict to reach for a different stimulus when developing feelings for the drug.

They say that it takes at least three weeks for a habit to be cemented which is why most of these programs require inpatient stays.

Once the addict has received treatment they can move on to a group therapy format like an alcoholics anonymous or narcotics anonymous in order to be held accountable for their actions outside of rehab program.

These groups are very effective because addicts start to realize that they are not alone in their addiction and they also begin to understand how destructive the addiction is.

suntan12

I just want to say that outpatient rehabilitation programs are available in many hospitals. HealthSouth offers therapy lasting from 30 minutes to one hour for patients that are well enough to be able to receive outpatient care.

They will usually receive an evaluation and then treatment options with a doctor. They offer orthopedic therapy, water therapy, hand therapy, occupational therapy, pain therapy, speech therapy, and sleep disorder therapy.

Some patients go to the outpatient program after receiving inpatient therapy and successfully moving on to this phase.

Medicare usually covers the first 20 days for seniors at full coverage and will offer provisions for outpatient or at home therapy.

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    • Massage therapy may be offered during rehabilitation programs.
      By: alexp3
      Massage therapy may be offered during rehabilitation programs.
    • People may learn how to write again in certain rehabilitation programs.
      By: anyaberkut
      People may learn how to write again in certain rehabilitation programs.
    • Rehabilitation programs may teach people how to perform basic tasks, like brushing their teeth.
      By: Gang
      Rehabilitation programs may teach people how to perform basic tasks, like brushing their teeth.
    • Physical therapy is one kind of rehabilitation program.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Physical therapy is one kind of rehabilitation program.
    • Rehabilitation programs can benefit wounded soldiers.
      By: joyb0218
      Rehabilitation programs can benefit wounded soldiers.
    • Outpatient drug rehab sessions typically include individual therapy.
      By: Monkey Business
      Outpatient drug rehab sessions typically include individual therapy.
    • Rehabilitation programs may help people following surgery.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Rehabilitation programs may help people following surgery.