What is an example of a supportive service included in long-term care?

Rehabilitation services are considered a vital supportive service within the context of long-term care due to their focus on helping individuals regain or improve their abilities and overall quality of life after an illness, injury, or the onset of a chronic condition. These services can include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, tailored to meet the individual needs of patients who require ongoing assistance and support to manage their daily activities.

In long-term care settings, rehabilitation services aim to support individuals in achieving maximum independence and functionality. They play a key role in enhancing the quality of life for residents, making them critical to the overall care plan in these environments.

In contrast, options like emergency room treatment, preventive care, and surgical procedures are not aimed at the ongoing supportive needs of long-term care patients. Instead, they focus on immediate medical needs or intervention, which does not align with the supportive, continuous care model characteristic of long-term care environments.