A hospital discharge can feel like good news and a new source of uncertainty at the same time. For many older adults in Chicago, going home is not yet the safest option. A short term rehabilitation stay may provide the nursing support and physical, occupational or speech therapy needed to regain strength and independence before the next transition.
Chicago families have access to several types of rehabilitation settings. Well known options include Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, which provides intensive inpatient rehabilitation for patients recovering from conditions such as strokes, brain injuries and other complex medical events. Schwab Rehabilitation also provides inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, while Rush Inpatient Rehabilitation offers hospital based inpatient rehabilitation through Rush University Medical Center. For older adults who need skilled nursing alongside short term rehabilitation, Chicago also has facilities such as The Selfhelp Home Senior Living Community, which combines rehabilitation with other levels of senior care.
Rehabilitation Is Often a Transition, Not the Final Destination
One of the most important questions families can ask is not simply, “Where will Mom or Dad go for rehab?” It is, “What happens when rehab is finished?”
An older adult may make significant progress but still have difficulty bathing, dressing, managing medications, preparing meals or moving safely without assistance. Others may experience cognitive changes or simply reach a point where returning to their previous living arrangement no longer makes sense. Rehabilitation teams routinely plan for a patient’s next level of care, which can include returning home or transitioning elsewhere.
That is where involving Senior Living Specialists Chicago early can make the transition considerably easier.
Planning for Life After Rehab
Senior Living Specialists Chicago can work alongside the rehabilitation facility, discharge planner and family to understand an older adult’s needs and begin evaluating appropriate senior living options before the discharge date arrives. Their local placement specialists consider the level of assistance needed, cognitive health, preferred location, budget and other factors when identifying potential communities.
For one person, the right next step may be returning home with additional support. For another, it could mean assisted living, memory care or a setting capable of providing more extensive nursing services. The goal is to build a realistic care plan around the person your loved one is now, rather than assuming they will return to exactly the same level of independence they had before hospitalization.
Hospitalization and rehabilitation can change quickly, and families sometimes have only a short window to make decisions. Starting the conversation with Senior Living Specialists Chicago during rehabilitation provides time to understand the choices, explore appropriate communities and prepare for a safer, more thoughtful transition when your loved one is ready to leave rehab.
