Inpatient Rehabilitation for Elderly Patients
Table of Contents
Why elderly patients need inpatient care
When a person aged 65 or older has a fall or develops acute pain that limits mobility, even outpatient visits become a significant burden. In many cases it is also difficult for a caregiver to accompany them every time. In a private inpatient room, regular daily treatment can be carried out in a safe environment along with rehabilitation, which gives both the elderly patient and the family peace of mind.
Managing complex injuries after a fall
Falls in the elderly often do not end as simple bruises. Imaging studies are used to check for accompanying fractures of the pelvis, hip, or wrist, and even without fractures, extensive contusion (eohyeol, blood stasis, 瘀血) and ligament injury frequently occur at the same time. During the inpatient stay, blood-activating, stasis-removing (活血祛瘀) herbal prescriptions — such as Doinseunggi-tang (桃仁承氣湯) or Danggwisusan (當歸鬚散) — are administered to clear blood stasis quickly.
Gait rehabilitation and maintaining muscle strength
During the inpatient stay, gradual gait training is conducted together with a physical therapist. The level of difficulty is increased step by step: walker use within the room → walking in the corridor → going up and down stairs. To strengthen the lower extremities, electroacupuncture (jeon-chim, 電鍼) is applied at Zusanli (ST36, 足三里), Yanglingquan (GB34, 陽陵泉), and Xuanzhong (GB39, 懸鐘) to prevent muscle atrophy.
Combined stamina restoration
For elderly patients, overall stamina recovery is essential alongside pain treatment. Bojungikgi-tang (補中益氣湯) is used to boost spleen-stomach (脾胃) function, and Hyangsayukgunja-tang (香砂六君子湯) is prescribed when appetite is reduced. Nutritional status is monitored during the stay, and Gyeongokgo (瓊玉膏) is administered as a supportive tonic when needed.
Family peace of mind — 24-hour care
For elderly patients at high risk of falling again when going to the bathroom at night, the safety handles in the inpatient room and the constant presence of nursing staff are very important. Daily rounds keep the family informed of changes in condition, and guidance on creating a safe home environment after discharge is also provided.
- For: Patients aged 65 or older who have fallen, and elderly people with mobility difficulties
- Key prescriptions: Doinseunggi-tang, Bojungikgi-tang, Gyeongokgo
- Rehabilitation goal: Recovery of independent walking and self-sufficient daily living
- Length of stay: 10 to 21 days