Short-term rehabilitation facilities provide a customized level of nurturing and care for seniors and others as they work to regain their independence after an injury or illness. But not all short-term rehabilitation facilities are created equal: There are clear differences ranging from the services offered and the quality of staff to the emphasis of the organizational mission. Choosing whether short-term rehabilitation is for you—and identifying the best facility to meet your needs—comes down to evaluating some key criteria. Why People Choose Short-term Rehabilitation Facilities People turn to short-term rehabilitation facilities to help them recover from a surgery, hospitalization, or other serious medical problem. There are multiple benefits to selecting this path, including lower costs than hospitals or medical centers, a warmer, more nurturing environment, and numerous comforts and amenities. The licensed professionals at short-term rehabilitation facilities are uniquely focused on advancing patients' immediate objective: recovering sufficiently so they are ready to go home. How to Find the Right Short-term Rehabilitation Facility The goal of short-term rehabilitation is to ease the transition between hospital and home—but finding the right short-term rehabilitation center can make all the difference. There are a number of important considerations to keep in mind when evaluating your options. Reputation is at the top of the list: Is the short-term rehabilitation facility well reviewed by seniors (and their families) who have utilized its services? Is the staff qualified—and are staff members welcoming, compassionate, and eager to help? How is the physical environment? Does it feel clean and modern, and is there a positive, upbeat atmosphere? Does the staff work as your advocate and ally, both in terms of restoring physical and emotional health and also in working with your insurance provider? Short-term Rehabilitation Facility Checklist Additional questions to consider when determining whether a short-term rehabilitation facility is right for you include: Does the short-term rehabilitation facility specialize in treating seniors?Are family members and private caregivers welcome at the facility, and are they encouraged to play a role in the patient's care plan?Does the facility make use of state-of-the-art technologies to speed and improve your recovery?Are the dining options appealing and nutritious?Are the rooms shared or private—and which one works better for you?Are there outlets for socializing with other patients in the facility?

When seniors begin searching for the best fit in rehabilitation care, it pays to focus on facilities that specialize in short-term rehab for the elderly. Finding caregivers with the right expertise helps ensure a fuller, quicker recovery. Short-term rehab for the elderly offers other key benefits, as well, including a peer group of like-minded patients all working toward the same ultimate goal. Why Experience Matters in Providing Short-term Rehab for Elderly Short-term rehab for the elderly is most effective when it is provided by experienced professionals who understand the unique set of medical challenges seniors face. Those challenges include strain on aging bodies and minds, which necessitates prioritizing physical and emotional health as seniors work to regain their independence after an injury, illness or hospital stay. Natural loss of physical strength, feelings of powerlessness and isolation, difficulty reaching out for critical assistance—these can characterize seniors' physical and psychological profiles even before they confront an acute medical problem, and seasoned providers of short-term rehab for the elderly are skilled at helping them confront and cope with these issues in a positive and productive way. Characteristics of High-quality Short-term Rehab for Elderly It is important to take a methodical approach to evaluating short-term rehab for the elderly. Seniors and their caregivers should look at their options with an eye toward determining which one will provide them with the best: Individualized care24-hour skilled nursing servicesWellness and enrichmentSubacute careFamily and discharge planning services Choosing Short-term Rehab for Elderly that Meets Specific Needs Also essential in selecting short-term rehab for the elderly is making sure it can accommodate seniors' specific needs for services such as: Orthopedic rehabilitationOccupational therapyPhysical therapySpeech and language therapyNeurological rehabilitation

Many seniors are able to use Medicare to access high-quality, short-term rehab. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease. Short-term rehab falls under Medicare Part A, and seniors can work with short-term rehab administrators to determine whether the government-provided insurance covers the services they need. What to Know About Short-term Rehab and Medicare Medicare Part A covers short-term rehab under certain conditions—and for a limited amount of time— in a skilled nursing facility. Among the short-term rehab services allowed under Medicare are: Skilled nursing carePhysical and occupational therapyMedicationSpeech-language pathology servicesMealsSemi-private roomMedical supplies and equipment used in the facility Short-term Rehab and Medicare: How Patients Qualify Medicare will cover short-term rehab if patients meet specific criteria—and assuming the skilled nursing facility in question is Medicare-certified. Those criteria include: Patients must have Medicare Part A and have days remaining to use in their benefit period.There must be a qualifying hospital stay—an inpatient stay of three consecutive days or more.The services needed at a skilled nursing facility must be ordered by a physician.Patients must require the care on a daily basis, and the services provided must require inpatient residence at a skilled nursing facility.The care required must be for a medical condition that was treated during a qualifying three-day hospital stay—or that began while the patient was receiving skilled nursing care for a medical condition that was treated during a qualifying three-day hospital stay.The services must be deemed reasonable and necessary. Making the Most of Short-term Rehab and Medicare Seniors should feel comfortable engaging with the staff of their short-term rehab of choice to discuss Medicare and a host of related issues such as how their care is planned and their rights and protections under the law.

Finding a good short-term rehabilitation definition can help seniors determine whether short-term rehab is right for them. Understanding the range of options available makes it easier to achieve the best fit. There are many short-term rehabilitation definitions out there, but they all boil down to the same basic points. What Is the Right Definition of Short-term Rehabilitation? Recovering from an injury, illness, medical procedure, or acute hospital stay can take time. The definition of short-term rehabilitation is a suite of inpatient services designed to help seniors and others recoup their strength and prepare to regain their independence and resume their former lives. Patients in short-term rehab benefit from rehabilitative and skilled nursing care, typically offered in a warm, nurturing, technologically state-of-the-art environment that focuses on physical, occupational, and speech therapies, as well as addressing other critical needs. Expanding Short-term Rehabilitation Definitions Some providers of short-term rehab are better equipped—and more experienced—than others. Their expertise expands the definition of short-term rehabilitation to include addressing seniors' emotional well-being; catering to their unique nutritional needs; and enabling them to have a positive outlet for socializing and staying intellectually engaged. Identifying these providers takes asking pointed questions and talking to others who have utilized the service. The Limitations of Short-term Rehabilitation Definitions Sometimes, what people understand as the definition of short-term rehabilitation does not translate well in practice. Promotional literature can be helpful in evaluating a short-term rehab, but there is no substitute for seeing it in person and getting a first-hand sense of how rhetoric matches up with reality. Consider touring a facility to build your own definition of short-term rehabilitation and ensure you are making an informed choice of care providers.

November is National Family Caregivers Month. It's a time for us all to thank the caregivers who do so much. Did you know this about caregivers? Today, over 90 million Americans are caregivers for their loved ones. Many provide care 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.The average family caregiver is a working mother of school-aged children.Up to 70% of the time, the family caregiver—not the patient—manages medications.Six out of 10 family caregivers work full- or part-time. Most say they have to cut back on working hours, take a leave of absence, or quit their job entirely to give care. Although caregiving can be a rewarding experience, it can lead to stress, poor health, and burnout. Here are a few ways you can show your appreciation to the caregivers in your lives: Tell them how much you appreciate all their efforts. And tell them you love themEncourage them to make time for themselves in order to protect their own healthSend them a card or bouquet of flowersGo online and purchase a gift card to a bookstore, coffee shop, or museumWho doesn't like a nice meal? Send them a gift certificate for their favorite restaurantOffer a bit of respite care for your busy caregivers. Volunteer a few hours of your time a week to help them out—and to allow them some free time for themselves These and other actions can help ensure that the caregivers in your life maintain their strength, energy, stamina, and positive attitude. So, this November, let's all take the time to show our appreciation for the caregivers in our lives—the ones who do so much to improve our quality of life.

Last week former President George W. Bush warned against the "casual cruelty" in our nation's discourse these days. He was warning against caustic language and damaging words. Words have been on my mind all month because at this time of year, the Torah focuses upon their power. Take the opening passages of the Torah itself, in which the world is created via language: "Yehi Or!" "Let there be light!" Yes, in our telling of the creation story, the universe comes into existence by way of verbal utterance. Our "Big Bang" is a big pronouncement. This is not to refute science. It is to teach us that words are so powerful that they can create worlds. We also know that words are powerful enough to destroy. Consider how on the playground children will defend themselves against mean spirited language by saying, "Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never harm me." It is a clever response but completely untrue. Few adults remember the physical pain from a scratch or scrape the way that they remember the sting of mean words hurled at them. The second Torah portion, Noah, tells yet another story about speech. The Tower of Babel is built by people ambitious to reach the heavens. In an effort to explain why the earth is filled with so many different languages, the story goes that God adds languages to humanity to deter people from communicating well enough to grab too much power. But my favorite Jewish text on the subject of speech is found in our prayer book. After the Amida, an extremely long prayer that is said both to oneself as well as aloud during Jewish prayer services, we come upon the following text: "My God. Guard my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking guile. And to those who slander me, let me give no heed. May my soul be humble and forgiving to all. Open my heart, O Eternal, to Your sacred law, that Your statues I may know and all Your truth pursue…May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to You, O Eternal, my Rock and my Redeemer." In this prayer, known as the "Elohai," we seek to avoid misusing our tongues and mouths to speak bad words about others. Is this just a prayer for avoiding gossip? Or is it more? How do we wish to use our "air time" with people, especially those closest to us? Do we want to waste a lot of time venting about others, speaking negatively to or about people, or do we want to use our "air time" elevating those around us with words of praise, gratitude and encouragement? I have always believed that the reason that religious prayers offer praise of God and words of thanksgiving and awe is not because God needs to get a compliment. These prayers are designed to have us practice saying beautiful and kind things—for ourselves and each other. Rabbi Karen BenderSkirball Director of Spiritual [email protected]

As we recover from an illness, injury, medical procedure or acute hospital stay, short-term rehab can be a crucial ally in putting us on the road to wellness. For seniors, this is especially true: The support short-term rehab provides is often a key factor in helping them regain self-sufficiency and return to their own homes or communities as quickly as possible. The Advantages of Short-term Rehab. Seniors working to get back on their feet can reap enormous benefits from short-term rehab. A surgery, illness or medical episode can leave seniors lacking the vital strength they need to care for themselves, and working with medical professionals who specialize in short-term rehab can help them rebuild that strength, restore their confidence, and prepare to reclaim their former independence. How Short-term Rehab Helps Short-term rehab serves as a bridge for seniors – facilitating their transition between hospital and home. It is geared to treat a broad range of conditions including: Joint replacement rehabilitationOrthopedic post-hospitalization careStroke and neurological rehabilitationPost-medical and post-surgical recoveryAdaptive equipment instruction and conditioning In short-term rehab, seniors focus on regaining critical function and recovering their physical, sensory and mental capabilities. They receive a wide variety of therapies and nursing services as they heal and make progress toward their ultimate goal: getting home as quickly as possible. A number of things to keep in mind while evaluating potential options for short-term rehab are: Defining short-term rehabKnowing what to look for in a short-term rehab facilityHoming in on short-term rehab that specializes in serving the elderlyFinding a short-term rehab that accepts Medicare Short-term Rehab at the Jewish Home When it comes to effective short-term rehab, the Jewish Home offers unparalleled expertise. Seniors in the Home’s Transitional Care Unit (TCU) are cared for by physicians and geriatric specialists in physical, occupational, and speech therapy. They also enjoy full access to all of the Home’s cutting-edge clinical and support services. The Jewish Home short-term rehab team integrates state-of-the-art medical care and prescribed therapies with personal coaching, counseling, and nutritional guidance. Seniors spend an average of two to six weeks in the TCU, though the unit accommodates stays of up to 90 days. For more information about short-term rehabilitative care and physical therapy at the Jewish Home, please contact our Connections to Care® hotline at (855) 227-3745.

October is Long-Term Care Planning Month. If you're a senior and haven't started planning, it's time to begin! Plan now while you have time to choose how and where you receive care, if needed, in the future. That's something your family will also appreciate. What exactly is long-term care? Long-term care refers to services and support you may need to meet your personal care needs. Most long-term care is not medical care, but rather assistance with the basic personal tasks of everyday life, sometimes called Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). These include bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring (walking), eating, and maintaining continence. Who needs long-term care? 70% of people age 65+ can expect to use some form of long-term care during their lives. Women are more likely to need long-term care than men because they outlive men by an average of five years. Who provides long-term care? Many people receive long-term care from family or friends in the comfort of their home. Also, services are offered by public and private organizations, such as home care agencies: home-delivered meals, supervised adult day programs, plus the assistance of visiting nurses, therapists, or home care aides. Some people decide to move to a long-term care facility, including: Continuing care retirement communities, which typically offer services such as housekeeping and diningAssisted living, for people who need help with personal care like bathing or getting dressedAround-the-clock care at a nursing home for people with greater health-related needsWho pays for long-term care? Long-term care can be costly, and most health insurance plans, Medicare, and even Medicaid don't cover many fees. Planning on planning long-term care? Make the Los Angeles Jewish Home part of your long-term care plan. Our senior-focused Connections to Care® program can connect you to the type of long-term care you may need: residential care, independent living, assisted living, Alzheimer's disease and dementia care, and skilled nursing. Even though October is Long-Term Care Planning Month, in reality, every month should be. Because the best time to plan for long-term care is before you need it. The best time is now! To learn more about long-term care at the Jewish Home, click here or call our Connections to Care® hotline at (855) 227-3745.

Healthy eating should be a priority throughout our lives. As we age, it becomes an important factor in staying active and independent. Planning our meals with a focus on getting the right nutrients and maintaining a healthy weight will give our immune system a boost. Plan your meals to maximize nutrients by including lean protein, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. Seniors may become more susceptible to foodborne illnesses as their immune system weakens and stomach acid decreases, leaving bodies unable to fully fight the bacteria or virus causing the illness. For older adults age 65+, the results can be dangerous, even fatal. If you have ever experienced a foodborne illness, commonly known as food poisoning, you know it is extremely unpleasant, to say the least. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, even body aches, fever and headaches combine to create quite the memorable experience. This takes a toll on the human body at any age, often resulting in dehydration and an overall feeling of weakness. The good news is we can take action to prevent contracting foodborne illnesses by following 4 basic food safety rules: CLEAN. Washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water throughout the food preparation process. Be sure to wash them again if you sneeze or cough. Also keep all surfaces clean, including counters, cutting boards, and tables as well as utensils.SEPARATE. Be sure to keep raw and cooked foods separate. While in the refrigerator, raw fruits, vegetables and ready-to-eat foods should be kept away from raw meats. During prep, clean surfaces and wash your hands after handling raw foods.COOK. Always cook foods to their proper temperatures. A food thermometercan ensure your food is cooked thoroughly all the way through. When preparing food in a microwave, make sure there aren't any cold spots that may contain bacteria.CHILL. Refrigerate foods promptly. Follow the 2 Hour Rule: Don't allow perishable foods to sit on the counter for more than 2 hours. Do not thaw meat on the counter! Toss any food not stored at the appropriate temperature for more than 2 hours. There are also some foods that seniors should avoid or consider carefully before eating: raw fishhot dogs and lunch meat unless heated to the appropriate temperatureraw or unpasteurized milk or fruit and vegetable juicesrefrigerated pates or smoked fishraw or lightly cooked eggsraw meat or poultryraw sprouts So be careful about storing, preparing and eating food. By cleaning, separating, cooking, and chilling you can help prevent contracting a foodborne illness… at any age!