Short term rehabilitation helps people who are recovering from surgery, illness, or injury continue the healing process so they can resume independent living as quickly as possible. It’s important that the transition back into the home environment is well-planned and customized to each patient to ensure maximum success. If you or a loved one will be going home after short term rehab soon, here are some tips to increase the chances of a smooth transition. 

1. Arrange a care conference

A care conference is a meeting between the patient and the short term rehab medical director, along with family members and additional staff as needed, to outline the discharge goals. Many patients need extended home care services once they leave the program, and most facilities have recommendations for reputable home health care agencies. Representatives from home health providers can attend the care conference as well and take an active role in planning the patient’s discharge. Ideally, care conferences are scheduled soon after admission to the rehab facility.

2. Schedule a discharge plan conference

A discharge plan conference should be scheduled to take place approximately three days before discharge, and doctors, nurses, therapists, and family members should be invited to participate. This conference will detail the health and mobility goals that have been met during rehab and which goals the patient is still working to reach. The meeting will also discuss home health care plans in place if applicable, and confirm that home medical equipment is ready to go.

3. Request a home evaluation

About one week prior to discharge, patients should ask the short term rehab facility to perform a home evaluation to catalogue potential safety issues and determine whether they will need any durable medical equipment or other assistive devices. If the patient cannot attend the evaluation, a friend, family member, or neighbor can attend in their place. 

4. Plan a follow-up doctor appointment

After the short term rehab program is complete, it’s important for patients to schedule a follow-up appointment with their primary care physician to ensure their ongoing recovery is successful. The appointment should ideally happen around a week after discharge. The rehab facility can forward records and rehabilitation reports to doctors directly. 

5. Inquire about medications

Most short term rehab facilities can provide up to two weeks of medication supplies to last after discharge, but patients will be responsible for refilling prescriptions afterward. That’s why it’s important to obtain a full list of medications before discharge, which patients should also share with their primary care physician at the follow-up appointment. 

Short term rehab at Bella Vista Health Center

If you or a loved one needs continuous care and extended recovery time after an illness, injury or surgery, Bella Vista Health Center provides a nurturing, safe environment to transition from hospital to home. Our short term rehab programs are customized to each patient and designed to help patients achieve optimal physical, cognitive, and emotional health. For more information about short term rehab or to schedule a tour of our 5-Star Skilled Nursing Facility, call us at (619) 399-7920 today.