By Veena Madiraju
For some people, a hospital stay feels routine. You go in, have your procedure and head home. But as we age, recovery from even planned or elective surgery can be more complex than expected.
Our bodies take longer to heal. Strength and balance may be temporarily reduced. Tasks we normally do without thinking can suddenly feel challenging. Without the right support, these changes can increase the risk of complications or even a return trip to the hospital.
• Is It Transitional Care or Rehab? — Transitional care, often referred to as rehab, is short—term care designed to help people safely transition from the hospital back home after surgery or illness. The goal is to rebuild strength, improve mobility and regain independence so you can return to daily life with confidence.
• Why Preplanning Makes a Difference — Some say the best part of rehab is when it is over. But going home too soon or without adequate preparation can slow recovery and increase the risk of setbacks. Preplanning your rehab stay removes uncertainty at discharge and allows your recovery to begin without delay.
By creating a plan, you avoid last minute stress, reliance on busy family members and difficult decisions while you are healing. Instead, you can move directly from the hospital to rehab, knowing what to expect at every step.
• Recovery That Is Planned, Personal and Purposeful — At St. Ann’s Transitional Care Center, recovery does not begin at discharge. It begins the moment you arrive. Rehab discharge planning starts on day one, with a clear focus on understanding your goals and what it will take to get you safely back home.
Care is coordinated by an experienced interdisciplinary team that may include physicians, nurses, physical, occupational and speech language therapists, social workers, dietitians and case managers. Together, they create a personalized rehab plan that outlines therapy goals, tracks progress and prepares you for a safe and successful return home.
In addition to therapy, your plan includes education and training for you and your support network. This may include medication management, self care techniques, fall prevention strategies, nutrition guidance, coping skills, and follow up care. Every element is designed to support long term recovery, not just short term improvement.
• Why Rehab Matters After Surgery — Major surgery can temporarily affect everyday abilities like standing up from a chair, walking across a room or getting in and out of a car. Without the right support, even a small setback can delay healing.
While family and friends may be eager to help, they cannot provide the round the clock skilled nursing care and therapy available in a rehab setting. Transitional care offers a safer, more supportive environment with professional oversight, allowing you to focus fully on recovery.
At St. Ann’s Transitional Care Center, rehab includes 24 hour skilled nursing care along with physical, occupational and speech language therapy, all delivered in a setting designed for healing. Whether you are preparing for a joint replacement, cardiac procedure or another elective surgery, rehab provides the time, care and expertise your body needs to recover properly.
Simply put, rehab is often the best place to heal before returning home.
• Your Choice, Your Recovery — Hospitals will offer transitional care recommendations, but the choice of where to receive rehab is always yours. Choosing a provider that emphasizes personalized care, active partnership with patients and families and proactive planning can make a meaningful difference in recovery outcomes.
Once your surgery is scheduled, take time to explore your rehab options. Contact the admissions team. Ask questions. Preplan your stay.
When it is time to leave the hospital, you will have one less decision to make and one more reason to feel confident about your recovery. With the right plan and the right support, you can return home stronger, safer, and ready to enjoy life again.
• Plan your recovery with confidence. — Today more than ever, individuals and families are choosing to preplan their recovery at St. Ann’s Transitional Care, part of St. Ann’s Community, where the average rehab stay is just 19 days. We are focused on restoring your strength, independence, and helping you stay Full of Life during recovery and long after you return home.
Veena Madiraju is assistant administrator of the Transitional Care Center at St. Ann’s Community. She can be reached at Vmadiraju@mystanns.com. Call 585-697-6565 or visit stannscommunity.com/rehab to learn more about preplanning rehab at St. Ann’s Transitional Care.