Rehabilitation at MedifitReha
HOW LONG DOES A REHABILITATION PROCESS TAKE?
This depends on the complaints. Usually, after a hip or knee surgery the rehabilitation is 3 weeks long. After a stroke it is usually 8 weeks but can sometimes increase up to 6 months. In other cases, it usually takes between 6 to 8 weeks.
I ONLY WANT MORNING / AFTERNOON REHAB, IS THAT POSSIBLE?
We always take into account the wishes of the patient as much as possible, but we have to look carefully at the availability of the therapists, the treatment rooms and most importantly provide a well-balanced programme for the patient.
I AM FLYING ALONE, IS THAT A PROBLEM?
Absolutely not, in fact, most patients come alone. Airline companies and airports are prepared for wheelchair users, especially the airports in Alicante and Valencia that are specialised in assisting patients with mobility problems. It is important that when you book the tickets, to indicate your mobility problem so that it can be taken into account. On arrival at Alicante or Valencia, one of our staff will be waiting for you. You will then be taken to your accommodation and assisted with everything you need.
Costs and reimbursements
WHICH COSTS MUST BE COVERED BY THE CLIENT?
- Air travel (travel costs in general)
- Medication costs (usually your health insurance company will reimburse you)
- Other personal expenses
Stay
After returning home
Rehabilitation and specialisations
WHAT IS COGNITIVE THERAPY?
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a form of psychotherapy. Our neuropsychologist examines your thinking habits with you. The aim is to change unhelpful thoughts that make you feel bad into helpful thoughts, a different way of thinking.
WHAT IS CLINICAL REHABILITATION?
Clinical rehabilitation is an inpatient program that consists in the patient staying at a rehabilitation centre and receiving the rehabilitation treatment necessary.
WHAT IS OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION?
This means that you will visit the rehabilitation centre regularly to receive your treatment, but you will not stay at the rehabilitation centre. When you have completed your programme, you will return home.
Knee/hip surgery
IS HAVING A PROSTHESIS FITTED THE ONLY OPTION?
If your knee or hip is extremely worn out, unfortunately there are no other options. However, if the wear and tear in your knee or hip is not yet so severe, then in many cases the pain can be controlled with paracetamol or anti-inflammatories. On some occasions, it can help to clean the joint with keyhole surgery. Another option could be to wear a brace (plastic, metal or fabric shell that is tied around the knee), it can prevent abnormal movements and ensures that the knee is protected.
HOW LONG WILL MY KNEE / HIP REMAIN PAINFUL AFTER THE OPERATION?
The actual postoperative pain decreases considerably after only a few days; however, most patients experience the disappearance of the pain caused by the osteoarthritis immediately. Intensive rehabilitation begins three days after the operation. During the following three weeks, the pain will gradually keep reducing, during which time you will take painkillers, according to your individual pain threshold. After the three weeks of intensive rehabilitation, you will be able to carry out your basic daily activities independently.
WHEN CAN I BEGIN TO DRIVE A CAR AGAIN AFTER A HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT?
After approximately six weeks, you should be able to walk easily (without crutches), by which time you should have regained sufficient muscle control to react quickly and appropriately in all situations, resulting in being able to drive again. If you have had surgery to your left knee or hip and you have a car with an automatic gearbox, you may (with the approval of your orthopaedic surgeon) be able to drive your car a little sooner.
WHAT ARE THE WAITING TIMES FOR ADMISSION TO THE REHABILITATION CENTRE?
We do not have waiting times.
WHAT KIND OF REHABILITATION DO YOU OFFER?
We offer medical
specialist rehabilitation, both non-neurological and neurological. We also offer geriatric rehabilitation.
IS REHAB CENTRE MEDIFIT ALWAYS OPEN?
Rehabilitation centre MedifitReha is open from Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 19:00.
The treatments are also given from Monday to Friday, except for a few public holidays.
Enquire about these days.
REFERENCE LETTER
The first contact will be your general practitioner. Please discuss your complaint with him/her. If your GP considers that you need specialist care, he/she will write a referral letter for you and refer you to the specialist. This can be a rehabilitation specialist, for example. If your rehabilitation doctor subsequently gives a medical indication for rehabilitation treatment, we can make you an offer.
HOW MUCH DOES THE REHABILITATION COST?
This depends on various factors, such as the duration and intensity of the treatment. Each patient receives a personally made rehabilitation programme. This is normally partly
compensated by the health insurers.
WILL MY HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY REIMBURSE ME FOR REHABILITATION?
Due to the new situation off GB it is unsure if the following still is correct. We are investigating the situation at the moment. Sorry for the inconvenience.
If you have a prescription for rehabilitation by a specialist or rehabilitation doctor, you can apply for this through the European treatment abroad scheme and you will need forms E112/S2 completed by our treating consultant for reimbursement by the British Health insurance. We will help you with all the administration.
A contribution is required if you have a companion coming with you.
ARE TRAVEL COSTS INCLUDED IN THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME?
No, you must pay for them yourself.
HOW IS THE ACCOMMODATION ARRANGED?
We offer 2 possibilities:
- You can stay with or without a partner in one of our fully equipped luxury apartments with 1 or 2 bedrooms. These flats are indicated for people who can manage independently. There is no 24-hour nursing service, but there is a 24-hour on-call service by our general practitioner, and we offer nursing care at agreed times if necessary. All apartments have WIFI and Dutch television.
- If a patient comes without a partner or companion and cannot stay in an apartment independently, we offer the possibility of staying in a room within the rehabilitation complex with 24-hour medical and nursing care. However, a partner or companion is also welcomed to stay here, an extra bed will be put in the room. In occasions, patients stay here for the first few weeks and then, when the patient improves and is more independent due to the rehabilitation, they can “move” to an apartment.
CAN A PARTNER OR COMPANION COME AND STAY WITH ME?
Absolutely, in that case a small contribution is applicable. A free rental car is provided, so you and your partner or companion can enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Please note that in this case, your partner/carer must transport you to the clinic and that you cannot use our MedifitReha transport.
WHAT DOES A REHABILITATION DOCTOR DO?
A rehabilitation specialist is a doctor who specialises in supporting patients who have one or more restrictions in their daily life activities due to a disease or an accident. This specialist is integrally involved in the entire rehabilitation process.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY REHABILITATION COMES TO AN END?
When you have finished your rehabilitation with us, you will be taken to the airport, assisted with your luggage, and checked in. You will also be accompanied to the arrival hall of your destination. If you would prefer to be taken home by professional patient transport, we can arrange it for you, if not, you will have to arrange for someone to pick you up.
In order to promote further recovery, in most cases it is important that you continue receiving therapy in your own country with a therapist or in a centre close to you, usually on an outpatient basis. We will write a treatment report with recommendations on how you should continue the therapy at home. The doctors and therapists can always – with given permission – contact us with any questions. We will then discuss the further course of treatment with the therapists concerned.
WHAT IS NEUROLOGICAL REHABILITATION?
Neurological rehabilitation focuses on the rehabilitation of patients after suffering a stroke (
CVA), having a muscular disease (e.g.
MS), Parkinson’s etc.
WHAT IS GERIATRIC REHABILITATION?
At
geriatric rehabilitation we focus on elderly patients who must recover after an injury, for instance a broken hip or knee due to a fall. You will stay in our rehabilitation centre MedifitReha. With the help of our multidisciplinary team, we ensure that you can function independently again and recover from the incident in question.
WHAT SPECIALISATIONS DOES MEDIFIT OFFER?
Our multidisciplinary team consists of various therapists/doctors, that offer the following disciplines:
Acupuncture,
ergotherapy,
physiotherapy,
lymph drainage, relaxation therapy, neuropsychotherapy,
osteopathy,
manual-therapie,
chiropractic,
hydrotherapy, exercise therapy,
podology, electrostimulation or treatment with Botox to induce muscle relaxation, rehabilitation doctor.
WHEN AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A KNEE OR HIP REPLACEMENT?
You are eligible for joint replacement surgery if your orthopaedist in the Netherlands (or elsewhere) makes this diagnosis. Your orthopaedist will usually have had X-rays taken of the painful joint and analysed them. Based on this information, the specialist will inform you about the different possibilities. If a knee or hip replacement is suggested, the procedure will most likely be the best solution for your problem. You can have the operation in Benidorm. The subsequent rehabilitation takes place at the MedifitReha centre in Moraira, Costa Blanca.
For more information please
contact us.
