Isn’t skilled rehab the same thing as a nursing home with a fancier name?
Skilled rehab and nursing homes are very different. Here’s why: in the past, only the old and sick went to facilities other than hospitals. Today that just isn’t true: 80% of people coming out of hospitals finish their recuperation in a skilled nursing facility that offers inpatient rehabilitation.
The reason is largely economic. As a result of the enormous cost of healthcare, hospital stays cannot accommodate a full recovery because insurance simply won’t pay for it. Almost 100% of our patients come to us for short- term recovery, which helps prepare them to go home safely.
What exactly is skilled rehab care and how will it improve my transition home?
Skilled rehab, also known as post-hospital or post-acute care, is designed as a bridge from your hospital stay to re-engaging with your everyday life again.
A short stint at a skilled rehab facility gives you time to heal in a restorative setting. The main purpose is to provide you with essential “next step” care through a collaborative team therapeutic approach, led by a physiatrist – a physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Why shouldn’t I just opt for skilled rehab in a hospital setting?
If you are ready to receive skilled rehab services, it means you no longer need around-the-clock doctor, surgery, emergency, and ICU services.
However, you still can benefit from a high level of clinical and rehabilitation care to keep your recovery progressing on track. Some hospitals do offer skilled rehab in a separate section, but typically their rehab doesn’t provide as many one-on-one hours of therapy or offer the comfort and amenities you associate with home.
What if I’m already discharged from the hospital? Do I still qualify for skilled rehab?
Most of our skilled rehab and nursing patients come directly from the hospital; however, we do accept patients who have been discharged home from the hospital and find they have a need for skilled rehab and nursing within those 30 days.
Can’t I just work with a visiting physical therapist at my home?
Today’s shorter hospital stays sometimes result in patients being discharged before they are ready to safely resume their independent lives. The treatment plan ordered by your physician will determine how much therapy you will need and if skilled rehab makes sense for your situation.
My physician has referred me to another facility but I’d rather come to Oak Brook Care. Can I do that?
Yes, you can. When you have identified Oak Brook Care as your preferred facility, just let the hospital’s discharge planning staff and your physician(s) know.
Is there a limit of how long I can receive skilled care?
If Medicare is your primary payer, you are given up to 100 days, so long as your medical condition meets the Medicare-defined guidelines. You must keep showing improvement for Medicare to continue to cover within that 100-day benefit period.
Most people who come to Oak Brook Care are discharged home within three to five weeks. Your own recovery will depend upon a number of factors including your overall health and well-being before your recent hospital stay, and the type of condition and surgery you were treated for at the hospital.
What types of services will I receive from Oak Brook Care?
Oak Brook Care provides skilled rehab and skilled nursing care 24/7 such as:
- a nurse attending to a post-operative wound or dispensing and monitoring intravenous medications
- a physical therapist working with a patient to rectify strength and balance issues
- a speech therapist assisting a patient in reclaiming his or her ability to communicate and/or swallow following a stroke
- an occupational therapist helping a resident to become independent again, particularly when it comes to dressing, personal hygiene and eating
A skilled nursing care facility such as Oak Brook Care also provides:
- pharmaceutical, laboratory and radiology services
- social and educational activities
- laundry services
- limited transportation