Rehabilitation

Types of Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation services, determined by the medical team in consultation with the patient’s family, include both inpatient and outpatient options. The choice depends on the patient’s location and insurance coverage, and multiple types may be utilized during recovery.

Sub-acute Rehabilitation

For patients who cannot tolerate or do not need intensive rehabilitation, sub-acute programs offer less intensive services, often in skilled nursing facilities or nursing homes. These programs also benefit patients who have completed acute rehabilitation but continue to make progress.

Day Treatment

Day treatment, also known as Day Rehab or a Day Hospital, is for patients who can live at home and travel for rehabilitation services. It typically follows sub-acute rehabilitation and includes occupational, speech, and physical therapy.

Outpatient Therapies

Outpatient rehabilitation therapies offer long-term maintenance for patients after acute or sub-acute rehabilitation and for those with less severe brain aneurysms who didn’t need hospitalization. Patients transition to outpatient care when ready to resume daily activities like driving, shopping, and working.

Choosing a Rehab

Choosing the right rehabilitation facility significantly impacts recovery after a ruptured brain aneurysm. Guided by the medical team, patients and caregivers should seek the best resources for optimal outcomes and coping strategies.

Family members should feel confident and informed about available services. Rehabilitation options depend on individual circumstances, such as location and insurance. Comparing several programs can help make the best decision.

Questions to Ask About Rehab Facilities

By asking these questions, you can ensure that you choose a rehabilitation facility that best meets your needs, offers high-quality care, and provides the support necessary for a successful recovery.

Click here for list of questions

Rehabilitation at Home

Returning home after treatment and rehabilitation for a ruptured aneurysm is both uplifting and challenging. Patients must adjust to a less structured environment, while family members may face stress from changes in their loved one’s personality, memory, and judgment.

Here are some adjustments to aid both patients and family members:

  • Attending support group meetings offers insights and strategies from others who have faced similar challenges.
  • Establishing consistent daily routines, including meals, rest times, and therapies, helps patients maintain structure.
  • Allowing patients choices and recognizing their strengths can empower them in decision-making.
  • Developing strategies like using day planners, alarms on phones and watches, and medication dispensers helps maintain schedules and boost patient confidence.
  • Making physical changes at home, such as installing ramps, widening doors, and adding accessible showers, ensures a safe environment for the returning family member.

Returning to Work or School

Returning to work or school post-treatment is a feasible goal, though your definition of work may evolve. Part-time options may be preferable.

Before returning, you’ll have questions: When can I return? What tasks can I manage? What about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?

It’s crucial to be assessed by a neuropsychologist to identify cognitive deficits like memory or concentration issues. Therapy can help regain function and provide coping strategies.

SSDI allows a nine-month trial work period without losing benefits. Vocational rehabilitation services assist with job placement and accommodations. Contact your local Social Security office for details.

Relationships

Brain injuries can strain relationships, leaving patients and families feeling disconnected from friends, coworkers, and extended family. Patients may withdraw and struggle with newfound deficits, affecting their ability to interact.

Comparing aneurysms to hurricanes, families can gradually rebuild relationships as they would homes after a storm. Progress may seem slow, but each step matters.

Aneurysms also reshape family dynamics and intimate relationships. Changes in responsibilities and roles can disrupt daily life, impacting intimacy. Physical and emotional changes, like hormone shifts and self-image issues, can further complicate sexual relationships. Seeking medical guidance is crucial for addressing these challenges.