Choosing the Right Stroke Rehab Facility
Rehabilitation actually starts in the hospital as soon as possible following a stroke. In patients who are stable, rehabilitation may begin within two days after the stroke has occurred, and should be continued as necessary after release from the hospital.
The long-term goal of rehabilitation is to improve function so that the stroke survivor can become as independent as possible. This must be accomplished in a way that preserves dignity and motivates the survivor to relearn basic skills that the stroke may have impaired.
Stroke rehabilitation often requires healthcare professionals from several disciplines because a stroke can affect many different functions:
- MD = medical doctor
- RN = nurse
- LPN = licensed practical or vocational nurse
- NA = nurse assistant
- OT = occupational therapist (e.g, feeding, grooming, bathing, toileting, and dressing)
- PT = physical therapist (e.g., mobility such as transferring, walking, or self-propelling a wheelchair)
- ST = speech therapist (e.g., speech, memory, problem solving, and swallowing)
- SW = social worker
The average hospital stay is between 4 (for ischemic strokes) and 7 days (hemorrhagic strokes). Most stroke patients are then transferred to an inpatient rehabilitation facility, a skilled nursing facility, or a long-term acute care hospital. Those discharged to home may have home health or outpatient therapy.
* Inpatient Rehab Facilities are usually the most effective. You can look for and compare IRFs in your area by going to https://www.medicare.gov/inpatientrehabilitationfacilitycompare.
See also:
Place
|
Admission
|
Stay
|
Primary Professionals
|
Hospital
|
ASAP
|
4-7 days
|
MD, RN
|
Inpatient Rehab*
|
5-7 days
|
15-30 days
|
MD, RN, OT, PT, ST, SW
|
Skilled Nursing
|
5-7 days
|
varies up to 100 days
|
LPN, NA, OT, PT, ST, SW
|
Nursing Home
|
varies
|
varies and prolonged
|
LPN, NA
|
Long-term Hospital
|
varies
|
25 days
|
MD, RN
|
Home Healthcare
|
5-30 days
|
60 days max
|
NA, RN
|
Outpatient Office
|
5-30 days
|
varies
|
OT, PT, ST
|
See also:
- Making the Best Decisions at Discharge After Stroke
- Find an inpatient rehabilitation facility
- Patient Guide to Making Rehab Decisions
- Patient Quick sheet to Rehab Planning
- The Stroke Recovery Process