A spinal cord injury can lead to lifelong changes to how you function on a daily basis. When your injury has left you paralyzed or having to learn how to carry out basic tasks again, you might need to move from the hospital into a rehabilitation facility before you go home.
A rehabilitation facility has the staff members and tools to help you during your recovery, but not all facilities are created equally. Trying to determine which one best fits your needs can be one of the more stressful things you’ll have to do. Even if your family members handle most of these tasks, you may find that they are still challenging.
Location of the facility
The location of the facility is one of the primary considerations for many people. While some individuals might not mind having to travel far from home, others want to stick by the security of being near their family members and friends for support.
It might not be ideal to have to travel too far, but remember that geographic limitations mean that you might not have as many options available to you. You may realize that you need to expand your search if you want a facility that can meet your needs that’s very close to home.
Specialized services available
Rehabilitation facilities often specialize in specific types of injuries. Find out what type of experience the rehab has with your specific injury. Sometimes, basic services are all you’ll need, but try to be realistic about what to expect once you’re at the facility. Be sure you ask questions about the effectiveness of their program, as well as the satisfaction of prior patients.
Insurance and financial considerations
Insurance policies and other financial considerations might come into the picture. There might be options that you didn’t think about at first so find out if there is a person with the facility who can help you determine whether you have options that you haven’t considered yet.
If your injury was caused by the negligence of another party, you might opt to pursue compensation for the damages you’ve incurred. This can include the rehabilitation costs. Make sure you think about the expenses you already know about, but don’t forget to add in the costs you’re likely going to incur in the future. Once your case is settled or an award is issued, you won’t be able to come back to claim an increase in the financial damages.