How to Know If You Need a Short-Term Rehab Stay

Woman with leg brace being pushed in wheelchair by physical therapist

For those recovering from a recent illness, injury, or surgery, the thought of returning home from your hospital stay can feel a bit overwhelming. You are still regaining your strength while your body heals, and the stress of everyday life can be a lot to handle.

If this sounds like you, your doctor may recommend a short-term rehab stay in a skilled nursing facility like the Methodist Home for Nursing and Rehabilitation before returning home. This can be a great way for you to rest while you recover. But, how do you know if you need a short-term rehab stay?

What is a Short-Term Rehab Stay?

Short-term rehabilitation helps patients recover and regain strength following a health event. Patients needing short-term rehabilitation are usually discharged from their inpatient hospital stay to a skilled nursing facility for a stay that usually lasts anywhere from 20 to 100 days.

Upon admission, the team of specialists at the skilled nursing facility will work together to create a customized care plan for each patient. With clear coordination of care between therapists, nurses, social services, dining, and administration teams, the goal is to help each patient restore their prior level of function and help them return safely to their home environment.

Who Will Benefit from Short-Term Rehab?

Short-term rehab can benefit patients of varying ages in recovery from an accident, illness, surgery, or other unforeseen medical events. Patients may receive a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy during their rehabilitation stay.

Skilled nursing services are also available for vitals monitoring, medication administration, IV therapy, wound care, coordination with physicians and other providers, and more. We are also a proud partner of the Rogosin Institute, offering a state-of-the-art hemodialysis center right here at the Methodist Home that serves both inpatients and outpatients.

Areas of specialty in many short-term rehab facilities include (but aren’t limited to): orthopedic and joint replacement rehabilitation, spinal surgery recovery, stroke recovery, cardiac rehabilitation, and amputee rehabilitation.

Patients recovering from these health events in preparation to return to their home environment often have a variety of medical diagnoses. An inpatient stay at a rehab center provides a variety of necessary services within one building, saving patients time and stress from traveling around the city. It also gives patients a much-needed break from activities of daily living like cleaning, cooking, lawn care, laundry, and grocery shopping. All of these things combine to jumpstart the healing process by creating a caring and productive environment for restoring mobility and strength.

About the Methodist Home

The Methodist Home for Nursing and Rehabilitation is a five-star rated skilled nursing facility in Riverdale, New York. We specialize in short-term rehabilitation stays and would be happy to discuss your needs.

What to Expect When Visiting Methodist Home for Nursing and Rehabilitation