Inpatient Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long will I be here?

The exact time is determined once our multidisciplinary clinical team performs a comprehensive evaluation, considering factors such as your diagnosis, your insurance coverage, your prior and current levels of function, and what kind of help you’ll have at home. A patient’s average length of stay is less than two weeks.

What will my room be like?

Memorial Rehabilitation Institute offers private rooms with telephones, cable television and free Wi-Fi. Our bathrooms and showers are wheelchair-accessible.

What about my meals?

Each day, you will receive meals customized to your medical needs. Kosher meals are also available, and we’ll honor other special dietary cultural requests you may have. You can bring in food from outside the hospital once the medical staff gives you clearance to do so.

What should I bring?

We strongly suggest that you bring clothing that’s comfortable to wear, including sweatpants or slacks, loose shirts or tops, and a sweater or sweatshirt. They should be similar to the clothes you’d wear each day if you weren’t in the hospital. We also highly recommend supportive, comfortable, non-skid shoes and socks.

Our pharmacy department will review all your medications and work with your doctor to create an accurate list of all the drugs that you are taking. So please leave all medications and herbal supplements at home.

Who will take care of me?

At the Memorial Rehabilitation Institute, you will be in the caring hands of a physiatrist — a medical doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This physician will see you daily while you’re in the hospital, and will collaborate with other members of your medical team, including your regular doctor, as needed. Your team consists of:

  • Rehabilitation nurses
  • Physical therapists
  • Occupational therapists
  • Speech language pathologists
  • Recreational therapists
  • Neuropsychologists
  • Dietitians
  • Case managers
  • Social workers
  • Pharmacists
  • and Liz, our therapy dog!

What will my treatment be like?

Our clinicians will develop an individualized plan of care for you, but generally, each patient receives a minimum of three hours of treatment daily, five to six times per week. You’ll receive a daily schedule that’s customized to your needs. (Typically, you won’t have therapy on the day of your discharge since our nurses, case managers, therapy team and your physiatrist will be working hard to get you ready to go home.)

What is a Team Conference?

A weekly conference, led by your doctor, will include all of the members of your team including the therapists, nurses, case manager or social worker. You and your family will hear your progress first hand and the details or your discharge plan will be discussed. If your family is unable to be present, we encourage them to join us remotely by phone.

How will my discharge work?

Since most of our patients need help at home after they leave us — and have continued therapy needs that are done at home or on an outpatient basis — we actually begin planning for your discharge as soon as you arrive! You’ll be assigned a case manager, who will work with you to develop a comprehensive discharge plan and help arrange for equipment and other resources such as outpatient therapy, home health care, or hiring a private caregiver. Your planned discharge will occur in the morning on the day it’s scheduled.