IRFs are independent rehabilitation hospitals and rehabilitation units in intensive care hospitals. Admitting patients must be able to tolerate three hours of intense rehabilitation services per day. Common diagnoses for patients requiring intensive inpatient acute rehabilitation therapy include: stroke, brain injury, spinal cord dysfunction, heart surgery, amputation, neuromuscular conditions, arthritic conditions, joint replacement, and other conditions. Its main focus is to provide 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. Here are twenty tips to consider when sending your parent / loved one for inpatient physical therapy rehab.

MEDICINES:

1. Provide a list of all current medications to the rehab center so that 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, and so on.

5. Be sure to designate a person as the point of contact for coordinating care and treatment planning.

6. List at least two additional people as emergency contacts with home / work and mobile phone numbers.

7. Visit regularly and consider alternating family members to avoid potential caregiver burnout.

TREATMENT PLANNING:

8. Talk to the treating physician / treating physician about the care plan outlined and feel free to ask questions about the course of care.

9. Bring a copy of the advance directive ready to place in the patient’s chart. If no advance directive was completed, consider completing one at the rehab center.

10. Discuss any physical, mental, or emotional changes that you notice immediately with medical staff.

11. Meet with the dietitian to discuss and review any dietary restrictions or preferences.

PERSONAL ITEMS:

12. Leave valid at home. Allow the patient to wear only an inexpensive wedding band and watch.

13. Be sure to take an inventory of 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 tag or permanent marker.

15. Decide if the clothes will be washed at home or on the premises. If the clothes are to be washed at home, bring a basket bag to store them.

16. Buy shiny plastic holders / containers for dentures, glasses, hearing aids, etc.

17. For patients with limited mobility, consider a long nightgown at bedtime to minimize potential fall risks.

18. Avoid flip-flops or slippers, as they can increase the risk of falls due to an unsteady gait or muscle weakness.

19. Provide the patient with sneakers with velcro straps that allow an adjustable fit and minimize tripping hazards due to untied laces.

20. Bring the patient clothing without zippers. This will help minimize frustrations that may arise due to mobility / dexterity limitations.