If your parent or loved one has a surgery planned or they have been recently hospitalized, it is likely that they will be referred to an in-patient rehabilitation facility to help them recover. You may be curious about what their stay will be like and how their days will be structured. Whether they will be in the facility for a few days or a few months, each day will be filled with physical therapy, speech therapy, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy and other medical treatments tailored to help them regain their ability to be as independent as possible.
While the focus of this stay is rehabilitation, which requires a great deal of determination and dedication, the services provided by a skilled nursing facility (SNF) are not limited to therapy. There is actually plenty of time for activities and socializing during these stays. When healing, both the body and the mind need conditioning and stimulation, and these facilities focus on providing both. Here is a little glimpse of what you can expect during a loved one’s time in a senior rehab center.
Morning
Each morning, the nurses will complete their rounds. They will visit patients and assist those who need help with bathing, dressing, grooming and other personal care tasks. At an in-patient facility, the staff tries to simulate a home environment as much as possible. Residents can wear their own clothes, and if they have a private room, they will have their own personal living space. Also, there isn’t usually a set waking schedule; everything happens on the patient’s own time within reason.
After breakfast, patients will head to the “gym” to do their prescribed physical therapy exercises. These gyms feature specialized equipment and technology that will help them recover and minimize pain. Depending on their needs, these exercises will vary in nature and intensity. Each patient works with a therapist on a daily basis to build skills like strength, coordination and balance in order to regain their independence.
Noon
During lunchtime, patients will recuperate from therapy and have a chance to socialize with one another while they eat. Although dining options vary from facility to facility, a variety of lunch options are usually available, and a dietitian is on staff to help plan menu choices and accommodate special dietary needs and restrictions.
Patients will have their choice of menu options, and they will also meet with the dietitian regularly to talk about their food preferences. If dining with other residents is not something they are interested in, they can always eat in their room or with family and friends who come to visit.
Afternoon
In many cases, therapy sessions will continue after lunch. Sessions can include working with a speech-language pathologist to improve communication and swallowing skills or an occupational therapist to learn how to engage in normal daily activities.
However, depending on their personal situation and the level of recovery they require, they may be involved in activities such as shopping, counseling or education, or other community activities. Most rehabilitation facilities have a robust activity and excursion schedule to promote socialization and mental wellbeing.
“Activities are posted on a large monthly activity board, to show upcoming events each day and week of the month,” says Mike Henckel, marketing director at Park Manor Rehabilitation Center in Walla Walla, Washington. “Smaller calendars are available for guest rooms. Many different options are provided throughout the month, such as bread making, sensory activities, puzzles, coloring, reading time, musical performances, church services, bingo, cards, books on tape, as well as outings into the community. Our therapists will even take guests back home to help them prepare for their return.”
Evening
Dinnertime and evenings are often devoted to spending time visiting with family and relaxing. Even though family members generally visit in the evening, most facilities welcome visitors to come during physical therapy sessions as well to help with motivation. Their bodies need to recuperate after various therapy sessions, so this time is typically low-key. Whether they enjoy reading, puzzles or art, the staff can help customize an activity plan that will ensure they are not only recovering physically, but they are also mentally stimulated and enjoying their time at the facility.
“Residents are free to move about the facility during evening hours,” Henckel says. “On various days of the week in the evenings, there are activities available for patients to engage in. We encourage family visits and welcome pet visits as well, as long as the family can show proof of recent shots etc.”
The time spent at an in-patient therapy facility following an accident or illness is crucial to recovery and reintegration to daily life. The staff will try as much as possible to preserve original routines and personalize treatments to make sure residents and their families are prepared for a safe and successful return home. Once treatments have concluded, they will have achieved their maximum functional ability and hopefully had a pleasant and fun experience as well.