If you have a loved one who is going through short term rehab for physical therapy, there is a good chance that he or she is going to become discouraged at the rate of his or her recovery. This is because it takes the body a long time to heal in many cases and time will seem to slow down due to a loss of freedom and independence. This discouragement can result in your loved one's recovery taking even longer. Here are some tips for making sure that your loved one stays motivated during his or her short term rehab.
1. Make a Light at the End of the Tunnel
The first thing that you want to do is make sure that your loved one sees a light at the end of the tunnel by giving him or her something to look forward to when he or she is out of short term rehab. This could be a weekend getaway, a chance to go hiking or some other fun outdoor activity, or even just being able to stroll around the mall and pick out something new to wear. Try to tie the reward directly with the enhanced mobility that your loved one will emerge from the short term rehab with. Talk to your loved one's doctors about the strength that your loved one will have in order to ensure that you are choosing an appropriate activity that will not be too challenging.
2. Visit Often
Another good way to keep your loved one motivated is to visit on a regular basis. Whenever you visit, essentially ask for progress reports about your loved one's progress through the physical therapy program. Emphasize that you want to see strength gains whenever you come and be excited whenever your loved one meets a minor goal. This will help you hold your loved one accountable to the program and allow him or her to have a reason to do well: so that he or she can brag to you.
3. Have Your Loved One Teach You the Exercises
Do the exercises with your loved one and have him or her teach you how to do them. This will allow you to make sure that you loved one knows how to do the exercises and will allow your loved one to feel more supported.
For more information, talk to a local short term rehab facility such as Valley View Retirement Community.
