What kind of patients are admitted for inpatient rehabilitation?
Please read our Guidelines for Admission and Referral page.
Most of the patients we treat are recovering from:
- Amputation
- Arthritis
- Brain injury
- Multi-trauma
- Neurological disorder
- Orthopaedic injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Stroke
- Surgery
We also offer programs for patients with cancer, heart or lung conditions, and congenital deformities.
How is a referral made?
Referrals are usually made by a discharge planner or social worker at the referring medical facility. Home health agency staff, concerned family members, or patients themselves, may refer if a patient is having trouble managing at home.
If you are making a referral, please read our Guidelines for Admission and Referral page.
What happens after a referral is made?
Our admissions staff works closely with the referring facility to gather your medical information. Within a few hours of the referral, our admission team reviews this information, verifies your insurance, and determines if our facility is the right fit for your needs.
Then the referring facility usually arranges for an ambulance to bring you to our medical center. If you are coming from home, your family or caregiver may provide transportation instead.
What does insurance cover?
Our rehabilitation liaison verifies your insurance coverage when you are referred. Medicare usually covers physical rehabilitation if it is ordered by a physician and you continue to make progress.
Commercial insurance rehabilitation coverage varies from policy to policy. We notify you if your insurance is likely to cover less than 100% of the proposed length of stay. Financial assistance or payment plans may be available.
What clothing and supplies do I need?
Please pack as if going on a three-day excursion. Include essential toiletries and any appropriate personal communication devices, but don’t bring medications. We provide any necessary medications during your stay.
Please choose loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. Include underclothes, socks and low-heeled shoes or sneakers, nightgowns or pajamas, and robes. We recommend labeling all belongings to help avoid the loss of personal items.
What should I do about laundry?
Your family or caretaker is responsible for your laundry. The washer and dryer in our Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit are for patient education only, so please do not use.
What are visiting hours for the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit?
Weekdays: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm*
Weekends and Holidays: Noon to 6:00 pm*
*Please refer to our current Visitor Policy during COVID-19
We encourage family members, significant others and/or caregivers who take part in your care to observe and participate in your therapy. Their support in promoting your active involvement in therapies is important. They should check your schedule and talk to your therapist about when it is best for them to take part.
Does the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit accept visits from pets?
We believe that pet visitation can be therapeutic for patients. Your pet may be able to visit during your stay in our Inpatient Rehabilitation unit. Please call 603-354-6631 to discuss our full policy.
What should my family and I do about meals at Cheshire Medical Center?
Our Nutrition Services offers a large daily menu of room service meals for inpatients to order the night before delivery. Your guests may also order meals through this service for a fee, or buy meals and snacks at the Art Nichols Cafe on the lower level. For rehabilitation patients who need physical support and supervision during meals, trained staff assist you in our Activities of Daily Living Room.
What happens if a rehabilitation patient becomes acutely ill?
Each patient is provided with 24-hour physician coverage and nursing care. Specialists within our medical center are ready to help and diagnostic services and laboratory are available within the same building. Our medical center is Joint Commission Accredited and offers you high-quality medical care on-site. Cheshire is also a member of Dartmouth Health, allowing seamless access to care provided by specialists at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
To learn more:
Download our Inpatient Rehabilitation Overview Booklet (PDF)
Call our Rehabilitation Liaison at 603-354-6633.