How quickly will I be evaluated after I arrive at Fairmont Care?

You will usually meet your therapist on your day of arrival, and depending on how you are feeling, you may be evaluated at that time. If you arrive late in the day or early evening, you will be greeted by someone from the therapy team, but your evaluation will probably happen the next morning.

 

How does your team determine what kind of therapy I need?

We work right along with your physician to choose the best course of therapy for your needs. We also have a physiatrist (a doctor who specializes in rehabilitation) on staff who will meet with you each week. Dr. Sharma is a beloved member of our team, and he will help ensure you are meeting your goals and getting the best possible results from therapy.

 

How much therapy will I receive each day?

You will receive as much therapy as you are able to tolerate to help you recover faster. Your level of pain will help the therapists determine the best options, and so we encourage our patients to be truthful about how they feel. We can address pain with medications and other therapies but only if you tell us.

 

What happens if therapy is too painful for me?

No activity should cause intense pain. If therapy becomes too painful, we stop until we have provided you with the medication and other therapies needed to make it manageable. Therapy is key to making a full recovery and we believe in making it easy and tolerable.

 

What if I’m too fatigued or achy to participate in my PT session?

If you are too tired to continue, we want you to rest because rest is an important component of recovery. Perhaps you would prefer to try again later in the day after a nap. That’s fine with us; you tell us what you want. We will work with you to control pain, aches and stiffness. Sometimes, even if you feel fatigued, exercise is the best medicine for tightness or for working through a joint replacement.

You also may choose a day of rest and then we can pick up another day further on in your recovery to make up the therapy day lost.

 

Will I work with a consistent team of therapists?

Yes, you will work with the same few therapists every day, and our physiatrist, Dr. Sharma, will see you on a weekly basis. On days he is not here, his nurse practitioner will communicate your progress to him. communicate your progress to Dr. Sharma.

 

How can I continue therapy after I leave Fairmont Care?

If you still need therapy after you go home, we can help arrange for a home health therapist to visit you or you can continue with an outpatient therapy service. Our discharge social worker will support you in making the best choices for your lifestyle.

I visited my grandmother in a rehab facility years ago and hated the sounds and the odors. Can I expect something better?

Most people who have not been in a facility in at least 10 years are surprised at how beautiful and comfortable a rehab setting such as ours actually is. The #1 comment on our Fairmont Care’s satisfaction surveys is how amazed patients and their families are at our facility’s comfort and elegance. Take a tour and see for yourself.

 

What if I don’t want to share a room with someone who is old and sick?

We understand the importance of privacy and the need for peace and quiet. It is difficult if not impossible to heal without uninterrupted rest. That is why we offer private rooms and suites for anyone who calls ahead to reserve a space with us. You can put that fear to rest!

Isn’t skilled rehab the same thing as a nursing home with a fancier name?

Skilled rehab and nursing homes are very different. Here’s why: in the past, only the old and sick went to facilities other than hospitals. Today that just isn’t true: 80% of people coming out of hospitals finish their recuperation in a skilled nursing facility that offers inpatient rehabilitation.

The reason is largely economic. As a result of the enormous cost of healthcare, hospital stays cannot accommodate a full recovery because insurance simply won’t pay for it. Almost 100% of our patients come to us for short- term recovery, which helps prepare them to go home safely.

 

What exactly is skilled rehab care and how will it improve my transition home?

Skilled rehab, also known as post-hospital or post-acute care, is designed as a bridge from your hospital stay to re-engaging with your everyday life again.

A short stint at a skilled rehab facility gives you time to heal in a restorative setting. The main purpose is to provide you with essential “next step” care through a collaborative team therapeutic approach, led by a physiatrist – a physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

 

Why shouldn’t I just opt for skilled rehab in a hospital setting?

If you are ready to receive skilled rehab services, it means you no longer need around-the-clock doctor, surgery, emergency and ICU services.

However, you still can benefit from a high level of clinical and rehabilitation care to keep your recovery progressing on track. Some hospitals do offer skilled rehab in a separate section, but typically, their rehab doesn’t provide as many one-on-one hours of therapy, nor does it offer the comfort and amenities you associate with home.

 

Why shouldn’t I just opt for skilled rehab in a hospital setting?

If you are ready to receive skilled rehab services, it means you no longer need around-the-clock doctor, surgery, emergency and ICU services.

However, you still can benefit from a high level of clinical and rehabilitation care to keep your recovery progressing on track. Some hospitals do offer skilled rehab in a separate section, but typically, their rehab doesn’t provide as many one-on-one hours of therapy, nor does it offer the comfort and amenities you associate with home.

 

What if I’m already discharged from the hospital? Do I still qualify for skilled rehab?

Most of our skilled rehab and nursing patients come directly from the hospital; however, we do accept patients who have been discharged home from the hospital and find they have a need for skilled rehab and nursing within those 30 days.

 

Can’t I just work with a visiting physical therapist at my home?

Today’s shorter hospital stays sometimes result in patients being discharged before they are ready to safely resume their independent lives. The treatment plan ordered by your physician will determine how much therapy you will need and if skilled rehab makes sense for your situation.

 

My physician has referred me to another facility but I’d rather come to Fairmont Care. Can I do that?

Yes, you can. When you have identified Fairmont as your preferred facility, just let the hospital’s discharge planning staff and your physician(s) know.

 

Is there a limit of how long I can receive skilled care?

If Medicare is your primary payer, you are given up to 100 days, so long as your medical condition meets the Medicare-defined guidelines. You must keep showing improvement for Medicare to continue to cover within that 100-day benefit period.

Most people who come to Fairmont Care are discharged home within three to five weeks. Your own recovery will depend upon a number of factors including your overall health and well-being before your recent hospital stay, and the type of condition and surgery you were treated for at the hospital.

 

What types of services will I receive from Fairmont Care?

 

Fairmont Care provides skilled rehab and skilled nursing care 24/7 such as:

• a nurse attending to a post-operative wound or dispensing and monitoring intravenous medications
• a physical therapist working with a patient to rectify strength and balance issues
• a speech therapist assisting a patient in reclaiming his or her ability to communicate and/or swallow following a stroke
• an occupational therapist helping a resident to become independent again, particularly when it comes to dressing, personal hygiene and eating

 

A skilled nursing care facility such as Fairmont Care also provides:

• pharmaceutical, laboratory and radiology services
• social and educational activities
• laundry services
• limited transportation