Discharge

Discharge planning should begin at the first visit and be reviewed frequently with the patient and their family throughout the course of therapy.  Discharge should never be a surprise.    Start preparing the patient for discharge several visits in advance, including written home programs, ptMantra, and assisting with DME needs (let Elisha know what the patient needs).   

 Reasons for discharge may include:

• Patient has achieved the goals established from the Plan of Care (congrats!) 

• Patient has achieved the maximum benefit from skilled rehabilitation.

• Patient has failed to respond to the therapy.

• Patient does not desire to continue with rehabilitation services.

• Patient can no longer participate (i.e., hospitalization).

LifeCare strives to care for people (not conditions), and there are options after discharge for patients, including:

• Additional therapy disciplines

• Fitness Plus (private pay)  

• Maintenance Therapy Services (see below for introduction)

Discharge Reports are to be written by the supervisory therapist and are due within 24 hours of date of discharge.

Fitness Plus (Private Pay)

The Fitness Plus Program offered by LifeCare of Florida is an individualized senior-fitness program that is available to clients upon completion of a skilled therapy program.    Because the program is private pay, it does not need to meet the medical necessity guidelines required for Medicare or other secondary insurance carriers to reimburse therapy. The program is ideal for patients who have:

• Low motivation for (independent) follow-through with a home exercise program;

• A diagnosis or disability for which routine physical activity is indicated;

• Need ongoing support that falls short of the definition for skilled care.    

The Fitness Plus Program can be offered as a single session or, if a package is purchased, the per-visit cost can be reduced.  Questions regarding cost should be directed to Elisha, who can arrange the best fit for the potential client.    

 

Maintenance Therapy

Maintenance therapy is skilled therapy services for patients who are not expected to substantially improve their functional level with ongoing skilled care. To qualify, the therapy must (1) help prevent or slow a decline in function and (2) be so inherently complex that it can only be performed by a therapist, OR the patient's safety would be placed at risk if performed by a non-skilled person.  Maintenance therapy follows all the rules of "traditional" therapy in terms of certification and supervisory visits.   

LifeCare provides a CEU-accredited course that explains maintenance therapy in detail.