Preparing to Return Home after Inpatient Short-Term Rehab

When recovering from a major surgery, an injury, or an illness, you may require a stay in short-term rehab to help you on your journey to wellness. Inpatient short-term rehab provides care after a hospitalization so that you can regain your strength and return home healthy as ever.

To make your transition home after your short-term rehab stay as smooth, stress-free, and painless as possible, it’s important to properly plan and ensure your home is prepared so that you enjoy a full and successful recovery.

Practice Daily Tasks

One of the most important parts of transitioning to life at home and your regular routine is getting used to performing your activities of daily living, also known as ADLs. These include tasks like preparing meals, bathing and grooming, and doing laundry.

At Christian Health’s Bolger Short-Term Rehab, we provide our patients with access to our on-site transitional care suite to help them prepare for their return home. A fully operational apartment setup complete with washer and dryer, dishwasher, stove, microwave, tub, and stall shower, the transitional care suite allows patients to practice performing their ADLs as well as using any assistive equipment they may need during their recovery.

“Clients benefit from managing self-care and home tasks prior to going home so that they return to their own living environments with increased confidence and comfort,” said Erica LaGruth, Program Director ofOutpatient Rehabilitation Services at Christian Health. “It helps us strategize with patients on safety considerations, make recommendations for assistive devices and adaptive equipment, and provide guidance on hiring additional help at home.”

Make Sure Your Home is Safe

Making sure your living space is properly prepared for your return home is an essential step in a successful transition and recovery. If you require any special equipment, services, or changes made to the layout of your home, planning ahead will make the adjustment easier when you leave rehab.

After your rehab stay, your physical and occupational therapists will provide you with the information you need for necessary home modifications or equipment so that you are safe and comfortable as you continue to heal. At our Bolger Short-Term Rehab, we also provide patients with a comprehensive home safety checklist to ensure their home is properly prepared for their return.

Some important considerations when ensuring your home’s safety include the following.

• Walkways to the home are free from cracks and holes.
• There is adequate lighting in all areas of the home and light switches are easily accessible.
• Doors are in good repair and easy to open and close.
• Regularly used items can be reached without climbing to reach them.
• Stove controls are easy to see and use.
• Stairs are in good repair and are not broken, missing, loose, or worn.
• Outdoor stairs are protected from the rain by a roof, awning, or other protection or there are nonskid strips/safety treads.
• Handrails or banisters run the full length of the stairway on both sides and are in good repair.
• Stairwell lighting is adequate to prevent shadows on the stairs.
• Stairs are free from clutter or other obstacles.
• There is a clear and lighted path from the bed to the bathroom and room to easily move around.
• Getting in and out of the bathtub/shower is no trouble.
• Getting on and off the toilet is not difficult.
• Knobs to regulate water temperature are accessible.
• Bathtub and shower floors have nonskid mat, abrasive strips, or nonslip surface.
• Bathtub and shower areas have properly located and secured grab bars that are sturdy and in good repair.
• Grab bars are secured by the side of the toilet for support if you have trouble getting up and/or down.
• Furniture is steady and without sharp edges.
• Furniture is arranged so you are able to move around easily and not too crowded.
• Loose area rugs and runners are removed, secured to the floor, or have slip-resistant backing or pads.
• Flooring or carpeting throughout the house, including stairs, is in good repair and free from holes.
• Thresholds are level with the floor or no more than a half inch in height.
• Exits, walkways, and stairwells are free from clutter.
• Floor surfaces are nonslippery.
• Electrical cords are placed so they are not under furniture or carpeting.
• Loose wires and all electrical cords are kept out of the way of traffic.

Learn More about Bolger Short-Term Rehab

Get back to wellness and the life you love today. If you would like to learn more about our physical, occupational, or speech therapy at our Bolger Short-Term Rehab, please give us a call or visit ChristianHealthNJ.org/Communities-Services/Short-Term-Rehab/.

Whether you need full inpatient treatment or outpatient therapy, our state-of-the-art technology and innovative methods ensure your successful and seamless recovery.

Inpatient treatment: (201) 848-5855

Outpatient treatment: (201) 848-5518