What if you had an unexpected accident and needed health care? Have you investigated your options? In today's health care environment we are fortunate to have more and more options for anything and everything...

We might go to one store for a specialty food item and another location for your coffee of choice. Our families even know where we like to go to get our preferred food, drinks, etc. So what if you unexpectedly had an accident and needed to go out and get health care? Do you know what your options are? Have you investigated your options?

As a Director of Rehabilitation at one of the many facilities that provides support services to Kootenai Health and the other regional hospitals, I frequently find that many individuals and their families feel lost in the health care process. They often feel caught up, as if riding along the perpetual wave.

If you wait until you need it, it's too late to start comparison shopping and understanding what services and benefits you are eligible for.

1. It's important to have a plan should you need hospitalization

2. Take the opportunity to contact or visit in person the services available in the community

3. Be confident that your case manager or social worker at the hospital is very skilled, and will work as your personal advocate in guiding you toward your most appropriate discharge location based on the medical needs that you may have.

In Kootenai County, we are fortunate to have an extensive support system to our Acute Care Hospitals. So if you happen to find yourself in need of continued care after a hospitalization, here are a couple of your discharge options:

* Rehab Hospital: This is generally a continued in-patient stay at a specialty facility that requires review and qualification based on one's medical condition and ability to perform daily physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech therapy (ST) at a specific intensity. Treatment focus is on progressive rehab with a definitive discharge plan in sight.

* Skilled Nursing / Post Acute Care Center: This is generally a continued in-patient stay for short-term rehab before returning home. You will have 24 hour nursing care, PT, OT and ST services to provide extensive therapy to assist in your recovery. Your care will continue to be directed by a physician.

* Home Health Services: These are services provided to you in your home while you are homebound or leaving for only very short periods of time. These services include nursing care, PT, OT and ST services. They may also have bath aides or caregiving assist.

* Assisted Living: These are residential environments that generally provide a tiered level of care based on what your individual needs are (i.e. - dressing, bathing, transferring or toileting assistance). There is nursing care available at each facility, generally daily, but not 24 hours a day. They offer a safe location when home may not be appropriate anymore. They offer a home-like environment and assistance as needed for individuals that could benefit from additional support services.

* In Home Caregiving: These services are generally provided by non-skilled caregivers. They assist with things including transporting a patient to doctors' offices, assisting with basic cares, doing housekeeping chores such as laundry, cooking, etc.

Remember, you are your best advocate and knowledge is power. If you have any questions, you may contact Janelle at Life Care Centers of North Idaho by phone at (208) 772-1052, or by email at [email protected].