Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Care

After an illness or surgery—like a stroke or joint replacement—you may be well enough to leave a hospital or medical center. But you may not be able to take care of yourself at home. Your doctor may recommend you get skilled nursing or rehab care.

At a skilled nursing or rehab care facility, a doctor and other health specialists will help you regain your strength so you can return home. These specialists may:

care for wounds
give you medicine
monitor medical problems
offer therapy (physical, speech, language, etc.)
teach you to use a walker, cane or crutches

Choosing a Facility

If possible, decide on which center you would like to go to in advance. Make sure you have multiple options in case there is no room at your first choice. Before choosing a facility, be sure to ask questions including:

Where is the facility located? Is it nearby?
What does the inside look like? Does it look well-maintained?
What are the meals like?
Do they take care of a lot of people with your medical problem? Is there a plan in place to get you back home as soon as possible?
Do physical therapists work at the facility? How often will you see them?
Who is in charge of your care? Is it your primary doctor or an on-site physician?

Additional Resources:

Medicare: www.medicare.gov

MedlinePlus: www.medlineplus.gov