What are "rehabilitation services" designed to do in a nursing home?

Rehabilitation services in a nursing home are specifically designed to help residents recover skills that may have been lost due to injury, illness, or age-related decline. These services typically include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, aimed at improving mobility, daily living skills, and communication abilities. The focus is on restoring function and enhancing the residents’ quality of life by enabling them to perform tasks they need and want to do independently. This process is essential for promoting independence and reducing the need for continuous assistance, which is a primary goal in the care provided by nursing homes.

In contrast, while entertainment, routine health checks, and family outings can contribute positively to a resident's overall well-being, they do not address the rehabilitation goal of skill recovery and functional improvement, making them distinct from the main purpose of rehabilitation services.