According to the World Health Organization, there are 2.4 billion people globally who are living with a health condition that could benefit from physical rehabilitation. Rehabilitation after an injury or illness helps patients return back to their lives as independently as possible and enables participation in their everyday tasks and meaningful life roles.

Throughout the month of September and especially during National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, we celebrate the success stories of patients and families who have benefited from physical rehabilitation. We also recognize and thank the rehabilitation professionals across the country who have dedicated their career to making a difference in the lives of others.

Inpatient rehabilitation, which is offered in a hospital setting, is the highest level of physical rehabilitation that a patient can receive when compared with skilled nursing, home health or outpatient therapy services.

Inpatient rehabilitation has a lower length of stay and discharges more patients home than skilled nursing facilities, and independent studies show that inpatient rehabilitation hospitals are a better setting for stroke, hip fracture, and hip replacement patients. This means patients are able to return to their families, their jobs and their communities more effectively and more quickly following inpatient rehabilitation. Today, rehabilitative services are offered in a large quantity with specializations in various forms such as speech, occupational and physical therapies.

National Rehabilitation Awareness Week was established in 1976 to create awareness of people with disabilities and promote the benefits of rehabilitation. In 1990, a presidential proclamation designated the third week of September as National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, which has grown to include more than 7,000 organizations. This year, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Colorado Springs and other Encompass Health hospitals across the country will celebrate National Rehabilitation Awareness Week during the week of Sept. 18.

At Encompass Health of Colorado, we are honored to serve the local community and beyond with our 64-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital that opened in 1997. Most importantly, our hospital is proud to have discharged 1,144 patients in 2022. These patients have returned back to their local communities in Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas with more independence and the ability to continue doing the daily activities they love. As the area continues to grow and the need for rehabilitation services continues to expand, we have the opportunity — and the responsibility — to continue providing high quality care close to home and identifying new ways to connect with the communities we serve.

As we recognize National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, join us in celebrating our patients who have returned home and cheering on those who are in rehabilitation, as well thanking our local rehabilitation care teams for all they do to help individuals return to fulfilling lives and the families and daily activities they love.