What to look for when choosing post-hospital rehabilitation

Once you and your doctor have decided that short-term care is the best recovery option after your pending hospital stay, it is time to choose a rehabilitation center where you will feel comfortable and get the highest level of care. The hospital or the doctor’s office may recommend an option but the final decision is yours. It is best to begin by selecting two or three possibilities that are Medicare approved and properly licensed so you can be sure proper standards are being met. Then arrange a tour and rate each short-term care program. Here are five criteria to consider during the tour. It is helpful to write down your findings after each tour.

Appearance
The short-term care center should be attractive from the outside with well-maintained grounds and adequate parking. Location should also be considered since family may want to come visit. When you step inside, the hallways and public areas should be clean with an attractive decor. Ask to see a room and note amenities like television and WiFi connections.

Personal care
Ask about help with personal care as well as shower accessibility. If you will need help dressing or with other daily tasks after your procedure, make sure there is staff present to help. Check for assistive devices like grab bars in the showers.

Professional care
Check on whether nursing care is offered around the clock. Ask about wound care and other special needs you might have. Find out how medications are administered and how emergency situations are handled. You need to feel safe with people around you who can address everything from discomfort to unexpected medical events.

Therapy
This is an important part of recovery so be sure to ask about availability of therapists and tour the rehabilitation gyms. Equipment should be well-maintained and updated. Be sure all of your therapy needs can be met including physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapy. Ask if therapists deliver therapy in one-on-one sessions.

Meals
Be sure there is a dietician on staff who can help with any special food needs you might have. Ask for a sample menu and note if there are selections that are appealing. Ask about the opportunity to take meals in your room. Tour the dining room to make sure it is attractive.

An option to consider
When touring facilities, be sure to include Whitehall of Deerfield, the North Shore’s premier rehabilitation center. Whitehall of Deerfield has  consistently received Medicare’s highest rating in Medicare’s five-star rating system of nursing and rehabilitation centers, as well as receiving U.S. News & World Report’s highest “Top Performing” rating, making it one of the best options for short-term care in the area. The quality is apparent the moment you see the beautifully landscaped grounds, which include an exquisite garden patio. The rooms are spacious with large windows adorned with attractive draperies. An attentive concierge is present to fill special requests, including bringing coffee and the newspaper to your room each morning.

When it comes to care, few can match Whitehall of Deerfield’s outstanding full range of therapies targeted to meet each guest’s individual needs. A clinical nurse liaison completes an assessment to discover areas that need attention. Then physical, occupational and speech therapists work one-on-one with guests seven days a week. There is also a respiratory therapist on staff who also works with guests one-on-one and helps manage care to avoid re-hospitalization. State-of-the-art rehabilitation gyms provide all the equipment needed to reach your highest level of independence and functioning. Discharge planners help the transition back to your home go smoothly and quickly. Care is consistent, compassionate and skilled at every level.

Extra attention is given to meals at Whitehall of Deerfield. Guests can choose to dine in their room or join others in beautiful dining rooms that feature full-length windows. The solarium dining room offers a view of a classic fountain that is sure to please. The on-staff registered dietitian ensures that each dish is as nutritious as it is appetizing. There are also delicious extras like  gourmet coffees, ice cream refreshments and fresh baked goods offered throughout the day.

Whitehall of Deerfield is filled with luxurious features from valet parking for visitors to a Wellness Spa for guests. To see all that is offered, arrange a tour by calling 847-945-4600. For more information, visit whitehallofdeerfield.com.

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