As our society ages, there will be a greater demand for rehabilitation complexes that require significantly more square footage per patient than hospitals, according to Joseph Simone, President of Simone Development Companies.
Simone said the expanding need for rehabilitation centers is a question of demographics. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans over the age of 65 will outnumber the amount of youth under 18 by 2034. Longer, more active lifespans will make the need for physical rehabilitation likelier for many seniors over the course of their golden years.
Rehabilitation centers typically offer transitional care for patients released from hospital care but who aren’t ready to function on their own. The patient visits range from a few days to two weeks for orthopedic, cardiovascular, and neurological recovery or up to months for cases of traumatic brain injury.
“Increasing patient choice, high-deductible insurance plans and elective surgeries will require rehabilitation centers to compete for clients by offering greater amenities and services. Patients will seek facilities that offer calming spaces for recovery, not sterile medical suites. Space-consuming amenities include physical therapy gyms, therapy pools and upper extremity training rooms, among others,” said Joe Simone.
Simone Development, which is a leading developer of state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, understands patient and family demands for supportive services, advanced technology, privacy and amenities. “We expect the 21st-century rehabilitation center to include single patient rooms, many common spaces, ample therapeutic space, accessibility to outdoor areas and family participation lounges,” said Simone.