New Year’s is just four days away, which means you probably have already been thinking of what your resolutions are going to be. If you’ve recently been discharged from the hospital and plan on enrolling in a rehabilitation program next year, why wait? Getting started on your road to recovery as soon as possible can lead to better results.
As one of the leading post-acute care facilities in Southern California, South Coast Post Acute closely monitors the increase in demand and secures our spot as the go-to for quality services. We embrace innovation, not just because we have to, but because it secures an effective treatment plan for our patients, significantly reducing their chance of rehospitalization. Read our article below and learn why you should start your rehabilitation goals early.
Set SMART Goals for Your Rehabilitation
No, we’re not talking about mentally smart goals. SMART is an acronym business managers use to measure the success of a specific business initiative. But, this approach can be used to promote personal development.
- Specific: Clearly defining what you want to accomplish is the first step towards reaching your goals. For example, instead of saying you want to be able to walk again, think about the quality of your walk or how far you want to be able to walk.
- Measurable: How will you determine if you’ve reached the milestones of your goal? Some goals are more obvious like being able to walk again, but rehabilitation like speech therapy can be more difficult to define. In this case, a measurable goal might be to talk to a certain number of people every day to share the progress you’ve made in your recovery efforts.
- Achievable: Recovery can be a long and challenging process. Expecting that you’ll be able to accomplish all your goals with no setbacks or mistakes isn’t realistic. Be patient and celebrate the steps you are taking towards building a better life for yourself. Creating achievable goals with your practitioner will ensure that you are on the right path towards better health.
- Timely: Open-ended goals encourage procrastination. Setting specific timeframes, such as one week or one month, keeps you focused on what you’re trying to achieve.
Hold Yourself Accountable for Your Rehabilitation
Accountability is a powerful motivator in helping people achieve their goals. It’s one of the biggest reasons why people drop out of their New Year’s resolutions as people tend to give up before ever really starting.
With rehabilitation, there’s a lot more on the line. This means it’s vital that you stay on top of your recovery in order to return to some sense of normalcy. Sharing your New Year’s rehab resolution with your practitioner is a great way to promote accountability. You can also ask your friends and family to help hold you to your word that you’ll take the necessary steps to reach your recovery goals.
Your Rehabilitation Goals Should Change as You Progress
Your journey is unique, and as you continue on this path towards recovery the better and easier it will be. But, you’re not entirely out of the clear. Work with your rehabilitation provider in coming up with new goals along the way to ensure you reach that end goal you’re striving for. It’s also important to remember that it’s okay to adjust your goals if you’re having trouble reaching your milestones. Don’t get hung up on the obstacles, you and your provider will find a way to leap over them.
South Coast Post Acute is Southern California’s Premier Post-Acute Provider
At South Coast Post Acute, we are committed to providing excellent services for our clients to ensure an effective recovery with a low chance of rehospitalization. We are passionately dedicated to providing the quality of service and care you come to expect from southern California’s leading post-acute care provider.
Through our innovative care and dedicated, experienced staff, we strive to provide the best patient care with a focus on reducing your length of stay when possible and preventing 30-day rehospitalizations. Contact us today to learn how we can help you on your journey back to full health.