Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) or Sub-acute Rehab Hospitals can be a stressful place to go to. You’re already a bit down from being in the hospital and transitioning between building can be tiring.
If you find yourself feeling blue, angry or overwhelmed just keep in mind ONE THING. —-> It’s just for now.
A Stay at a Rehab Hospital is Short Term
Remember it’s all temporary. Rehab isn’t meant to be forever. It’s the catalyst to get you where you want to be. Whether that place is home or another facility.
If you are the one staying at the facility it can be hard to be away from your home, pets, family, friends, etc… It will be A LOT harder to go home and NOT BE READY to be there.
When you go to a short term rehab facility you get a few perks:
- Meals cooked
- Bed made
- Room cleaned
- Laundry washed
- Medication managed
- Social worker on site for questions and needs
- A whole team of Rehab staff just waiting to help you every day
- Nursing staff always available
- Regular/more frequent in person MD or PA visits
- For most places- Rides to doctor visits
- Assistive and adaptive equipment
These are all things you would have to do on your own if you were to go home.
These are all the things that the entire staff is trying to build you back up to so you aren’t completely overwhelmed when you finally do go home.
The Words to Keep in mind when you’re at a SNF
Yet
For now
Temporary
If you can keep these in the front of your thinking, you’ll be ahead of the game. It sets you up for a positive and more importantly healing mindset so you can progress faster and end up stronger and hopefully healthier before you do discharge back to your home.
Don’t Be Too Quick to Return Home
There are a few things you have to plan for before you go home. If you’re contemplating leaving early or if your discharge date is just around the corner, ask yourself these questions first.
- How will I get food? Will you be ordering groceries or take out? Will you be able to go get it or have it all delivered. When it gets there can you unload it?
- Can I clean myself? This is a very big problem if you can’t yet get into a shower or tub and don’t have the strength or ability to use a washcloth. Hygiene becomes an issue almost immediately.
- Can I go to the bathroom? Another nearly immediate issue. Think of how you (or your loved one) gets to the bathroom now. Will this same way be possible or safe at home?
- How do I pay bills? Is there a way to make sure money issues don’t hinder your safety or comfort?
- Is my home safe? Tripping hazards, light bulbs blowing out, plumbing issues, stairs, pets, doorways or bathrooms too small to use equipment (like walkers or oxygen tanks), etc… There are more hazards in a home than I could ever think of. These hazards can keep you from being able to live there safely at the moment.
Sometimes all of these things are non-issues because of caregivers or friends assisting. It’s always great when we get a helping hand when we’re down, but that isn’t always the available option. If the answer to any one of these things is NO then a little more time and thought needs to go into either more recovery OR speaking with the social worker to gather assisting resources. They don’t mean returning home is out of the question, just that a little more of something is needed before that is safe.
More on this topic from LGM
What to Expect as a Rehab Patient at a Skilled Nursing Facility
North Carolina, USA