How to Choose the Right Inpatient Physical Rehabilitation Provider for Your Loved One

If your loved one has experienced a stroke, spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury, it’s important to make a plan and quickly assess options for their strongest recovery. Immediate care in the hospital is just the beginning. After their discharge, your loved one will likely need to rebuild strength and function through inpatient physical rehabilitation — and you may be tasked with selecting their rehabilitation provider in what feels like an intense situation. 

This decision can feel overwhelming, especially during what is already an emotional time for your family. Not only are there many providers to choose from, but you may not have a long window of time to make your selection. Yet because these types of injuries demand specialized rehabilitation care, it’s critical to do your research into the right provider for a successful road to recovery. You should never feel pressured in your decision. 

Fortunately, you do have a choice and can select a physical rehabilitation provider by name to make sure your loved one gets the highest quality care.  

Key Factors in Selecting a Rehabilitation Provider 

So, what should you be looking for when evaluating providers? Your loved one’s current healthcare team can provide insight into the type of physical rehabilitation required based on the injury. From there, keep the following factors in mind as you consider options: 

Specialized Care and Expertise 

For complex injuries such as strokes, spinal cord injuries, and brain injuries, specialized care is essential. Each type of injury comes with unique challenges, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Personalized, expert care will be key to restoring your loved one to their fullest potential and ability. 

At Good Shepherd, we offer specialized programs by injury type — each led by an interdisciplinary team of physicians, therapists, and nurses who are experts in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Our specialists will be by your loved one’s side every step of the way, tailoring treatment plans to meet their individual needs. 

Accreditations and Reputation 

Look for providers with rehabilitation programs that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), the gold standard for quality in rehabilitation care. If a provider is accredited, it means they have met rigorous criteria for patient care and outcomes. Good Shepherd has six CARF-accredited inpatient rehabilitation programs, including stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury and amputee rehabilitation. 

In addition to accreditation, consider the provider’s reputation in the community and beyond. Reach out to friends and family for word-of-mouth referrals or research online. A solid reputation, backed by experienced staff and positive patient reviews, can reassure you that you are entrusting your loved one’s recovery to a reliable and trusted provider. Good Shepherd has been operating in the Lehigh Valley for more than 100 years, focusing solely on this type of specialized care. We welcome patients from all over the world, taking even the most critical and complex cases.  

Healing, Person-Centered Environment 

A welcoming space can make a world of difference in recovery. Your loved one may spend several hours a day in therapy, so a well-designed and thoughtful environment is vital to both their comfort and their motivation. Consider facilities with private rooms that promote comfort and convenience for patients and family members, calm surroundings and dedicated areas for family visits, all of which help patients rest and recharge between therapy sessions. Many families attest to the power of simply getting their loved one out of the hospital where they received acute injury treatment, to an invigorating new setting that jumpstarted their recovery. 

Good Shepherd’s newly built inpatient rehabilitation hospital, conveniently located in Center Valley, PA, is specifically designed to optimize your loved one’s recovery and comfort — because we understand that recovery goes beyond medical care. Our hospital offers spacious private suites with natural, ambient light, activity areas, peaceful outdoor gardens and indoor lounge areas for relaxation, and specialized therapy spaces designed for privacy and focus. Every detail is meant to promote healing and recovery. 

Technology and Innovation 

Advanced rehabilitation technology can make therapy more effective and engaging for your loved one. Innovations such as 3D movement analysis and specialized gait-training equipment are examples of advanced tools that many high-quality rehabilitation providers, including Good Shepherd, now incorporate into their programs. 

At Good Shepherd, we integrate state-of-the-art technology to support our patients’ rehabilitation goals and help them return home feeling confident. From robotics to wearable devices, our cutting-edge tools can help your loved one recover faster and regain their independence. 

Schedule a Tour 

Choosing where your loved one will continue their recovery after a complex injury is a huge step, and seeing the facility firsthand can give you much-needed reassurance that you’re making the right decision. If you have time, schedule a tour to see the space and meet members of the rehabilitation team. 

If you are interested in scheduling a tour of Good Shepherd’s inpatient rehabilitation hospital, call 1-888-44-REHAB or fill out the form below. We’re here to help you make an informed choice that supports your loved one’s journey. 

No matter what provider you choose, taking the time to evaluate your options and ask questions will help you feel confident that you’re guiding your loved toward their best possible recovery. 

See why families go to Good Shepherd. Fill out the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital tour request form: