After-Hospital Care

Outpatient Services Definitions

Outpatient Rehabilitation

The goal of rehabilitation services is to facilitate your best recovery of function. Outpatient Rehabilitation Services include the professional care of physical therapists, occupational therapists and/or speech-language pathologists. If you need the continued care of a rehabilitation professional and are not homebound, then our outpatient services may best serve your needs.

Home Health Care

Home health is health care provided by medical professionals in a patient’s home to maintain or restore health. Its range of skilled services includes nursing care, physical, occupational and speech therapies, and social work services. Medicare defines home health care as intermittent, physician-ordered medical services or treatment. Visit Home Health Care for more information.

Palliative Care 

Beaufort Memorial offers inpatient and outpatient palliative (or supportive) care for patients living with a serious illness. A referral for palliative care services is intended to improve the quality of life for the patient and family. Our interdisciplinary team of experts takes a “whole person” approach to supportive care. Team members focus on you as an individual and on your goals for care, creating a plan that takes into account your unique needs and wishes and those of your family.

Home Care

Home care, sometimes called companion care, offers patients assistance with the activities of daily living, medication management, transportation and errands. Specialty care may be available as well. This type of care is generally not covered by medical insurance and is an out-of-pocket expense. Visit Companion Care for more information.

Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

Medical equipment that is ordered by a doctor for use in a patient’s home. Examples are walkers, crutches, wheelchairs and hospital beds. DME is paid for under Medicare Part B and Part A for home health services. Call the Lending Room at 843-524-2554 for details on borrowing gently used DME.

Assisted Living

Communities that provide older adults with personalized care in a residential setting. They are for seniors whose health or well-being requires a higher level of support, which is determined through a health assessment according to state regulations. These facilities also provide a healthy lifestyle and social engagement. Assisted living is not the same as skilled nursing or nursing home care. Visit Assisted Care for more information.

Nursing Home/Skilled Nursing

A residential facility for people with chronic illness or disability, particularly elderly people who need assistance for most or all of their daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing and toileting. Nursing homes provide 24-hour skilled care and are also called skilled nursing facilities. Many nursing homes provide short-term rehabilitative stays for patients recovering from an injury or illness. Some facilities have a separate unit for residents with memory loss. Visit Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Care for more information.

Hospice

A licensed or certified program that provides care to people who are terminally ill and their families. Hospice care can be provided at home, in a hospice or other freestanding facility, or within a hospital. Hospice care emphasizes the management of pain and discomfort and addresses the physical, spiritual, emotional, psychological, financial and legal needs of the patient and his or her family. Visit Hospice & Palliative Care for more information.