20 tips to keep in mind when a loved one is referred to a physical therapy rehabilitation center
IRFs are free-standing rehabilitation hospitals and acute care hospital rehabilitation units. Incoming patients must be able to tolerate three hours a day of intense rehabilitation services. Common diagnoses for patients requiring intensive inpatient acute rehabilitation therapy include: stroke, brain injury, spinal cord dysfunction, cardiac surgery, amputation, neuromuscular conditions, arthritic conditions, joint replacement, and other conditions. Their primary focus is providing rehabilitation services to help patients become as independent as possible in their activities of daily living so that they can return home and re-enter the community. Below are twenty tips to keep in mind when your parent/loved one is sent to inpatient physical therapy rehab.
MEDICINES:
1. Provide a list of all current medications to the rehab center so no doses are missed.
2. Do not bring or give the patient any unauthorized medications/supplements from home without the knowledge of the treatment team.
COMMUNICATIONS:
3. Inform the patient’s primary care physician (PCP) that the person has been admitted to the rehabilitation center to allow coordination of care.
4. Provide contact information, including name and phone numbers of current providers, including PCP, cardiologist, podiatrist, etc.
5. Be sure to designate one person as your point of contact for care coordination and treatment planning.
6. List at least two additional people as emergency contacts with home/work and cell phone numbers.
7. Visit regularly and consider rotating family members to avoid potential caregiver burnout.
TREATMENT PROGRAM:
8. Discuss the described plan of care with the treating physician and feel free to ask questions about the course of care.
9. Bring a copy of the prepared advance directives to include in the patient’s chart. If advance directives were not completed, consider completing one at the rehab center.
10. Tell medical personnel right away about any physical, mental, or emotional changes you notice.
11. Meet with the dietitian to discuss and review any dietary restrictions or preferences.
PERSONAL ITEMS:
12. Leave valuables at home. Consider having the patient wear only a wedding ring and an inexpensive watch.
13. Be sure to inventory your dentures and hearing aids. Request and keep a copy of the completed and signed inventory sheet.
14. Label all personal clothing and blankets with a typed label or permanent marker.
15. Decide if the clothes will be washed at home or at the facility. If the clothes will be washed at home, please bring a bag to store them.
16. Buy shiny plastic holders/containers for dentures, glasses, hearing aids, etc.
17. For patients with limited physical mobility, consider a long gown to sleep in at bedtime to minimize potential fall hazards.
18. Avoid flip-flops or slippers, as they can increase the risk of falls due to unsteady gait or muscle weakness.
19. Provide the patient with slippers with velcro straps that allow for an adjustable fit and minimize tripping hazards from untied laces.
20. Wear clothing without buttons on the zippers to the patient. This will help minimize frustrations that may arise due to mobility/skill limitations.