When you have a disability, there are supportive resources and services out there for you that can help you improve your overall quality of life in different ways. There are advocacy organizations, educational programs and specialized doctors, to name a few. Every connection can help you navigate your needs related to your injury or disability and work toward your goals — with rehabilitation being high on that list.
Outpatient medical rehabilitation services refer to treatments and therapies that take place in a clinical facility where patients don’t stay overnight, or at a patient’s home. They help you improve your body’s function and mobility, which may be impaired by a disability. Whether you were born with one, it developed over time, or it was the result of an illness or trauma, you can move along your health and wellness journey with the right rehabilitation services.
In this article, we’ll talk about the benefits of using outpatient medical rehabilitation services for people with disabilities. We’ll also discuss why Ability KC’s outpatient rehabilitation is worth considering.
Benefits that outpatient medical rehabilitation services can provide people with disabilities
Let’s look at what outpatient medical rehabilitation really means. If a person recently developed a disability, or it’s the result of a traumatic event, they were likely diagnosed and initially treated in a hospital, which is also referred to as an inpatient medical facility. If the individual was born with the disability, or if they’ve had it for many years, then they may not need to stay in a hospital. These individuals would benefit from an outpatient facility, which allows them to return home each day. Many people transition from an inpatient to an outpatient facility; it’s the next step once they no longer require 24/7 medical care for their disability.
Rehabilitation can take place in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. However, outpatient rehabilitation services allow the patient to take part in effective therapy with trained experts while gaining independence at home.
All rehabilitation helps the patient improve their physical, cognitive and behavioral health. Here are a few benefits of outpatient rehabilitation services for people with disabilities:
- Personalization — One key characteristic of effective rehabilitation is a personalized treatment plan. Every patient is unique, and their plan should be unique as well. The team of professionals at outpatient medical rehabilitation facilities will collaborate with the patient along with their loved ones as needed. The goal is to figure out which services will best align with the patient. The disability, challenges and rehabilitation goals are all considered.
- Wide variety of treatments — Outpatient medical rehabilitation facilities like Ability KC put a wide variety of services under one roof, covering everything from physical and occupational therapy to speech and specialty therapy. That means you don’t have to go to one specialist to learn proper wheelchair positioning and another for driving evaluations or speech therapy. Outpatient medical rehabilitation allows you to do critical therapies at the same facility, saving time and reducing the frustration of having to go to different places on different dates. You’ll also have a steady support system of experts guiding you who know your goals and personalized plan. At Ability KC, we cover all these bases. In addition to physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, we offer unique services like aquatic therapy, serial casting and neuropsychology, just to name a few.
- Access to specialized equipment — The equipment used at outpatient medical rehabilitation facilities goes beyond what you may find at other medical facilities or what you could purchase to have in your home. The trained staff at these facilities can provide hands-on experience with assistive technology and unique therapy modalities. One example is the Ekso GT, a robotic exoskeleton that improves a patient’s balance, gait mechanics and body position as they move. Outpatient medical rehabilitation facilities train their experts in the newest techniques and on the most innovative tools. They want to ensure that patients are getting the best support possible.
- Long-term results — Every milestone matters. And outpatient medical rehabilitation helps patients with disabilities make improvements now that will benefit them for years down the line. As patients improve during rehabilitation sessions, they’re creating physical, cognitive and behavioral patterns that they can continue practicing in the future. Outpatient medical rehabilitation helps patients with disabilities have sustainable growth. The skills they gain will benefit them long after they finish rehab. Ability KC also welcomes patients back throughout their life as needed and is there for you throughout your journey and important life transitions.
Ability KC helps people with disabilities through outpatient medical rehabilitation
Outpatient medical rehabilitation can help people at any point in their disability journey. Were you recently diagnosed with a disability? Do you feel like your longtime symptoms are worsening? Rehabilitation services can help at all stages of your recovery and throughout your personal journey. The goal is to work with trained experts to get the best results possible.
The many outpatient medical rehabilitation services at Ability KC can help people with disabilities improve their function and motor skills and gain independence. The benefits prove why outpatient medical rehabilitation is a safe and effective option. You can work to move along your wellness journey, and Ability KC will be by your side for every step and milestone.
Ability KC is a designated Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF). We also have a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.