Isn’t skilled rehab the same thing as a nursing home with a fancier name?
Skilled rehab and nursing homes are very different. In the past, only the elderly and sick went to facilities other than hospitals. That isn’t the case today because 80% of people leave the hospital to finish their recuperation in a skilled nursing facility that offers inpatient rehabilitation.
The reason for this shift is economic. Due to the enormous cost of healthcare, staying at the hospital for a full recovery isn’t feasible because insurance companies won’t pay for it. Nearly all of our patients come to us for short-term recovery before they return home.
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?
Receiving skilled rehab services means you don’t 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 on track. Some hospitals offer skilled rehab in a separate ward, but the service doesn’t provide as many one-on-one therapy sessions, and it doesn’t include the comfort and amenities of home.
What if I’m already discharged from the hospital? Do I still qualify for skilled rehab?
We do accept patients who were discharged from the hospital. These are people who find a need for skilled rehab and nursing assistance after leaving the hospital.
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 Wauconda Care. Can I do that?
Yes, you can. When you have identified Wauconda 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 Wauconda 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 Wauconda Care?
In addition to skilled rehab and 24/7 nursing care services, Wauconda Care can also provide:
- A nurse to attend to a post-operative wound or to dispense and monitor intravenous medications.
- A physical therapist to work with a patient to rectify strength and balance issues.
- A speech therapist that can assists in reclaiming a patient’s ability to communicate and/or swallow following a stroke.
- An occupational therapist that can help patients become independent again particularly when it comes to dressing, personal hygiene, and eating.
- Pharmaceutical, laboratory and radiology services.
- Social and educational activities.
- Laundry services.
- Limited transportation