For patients with inpatient rehabilitation needs, U-M Health has partnered with Chelsea Hospital to provide stroke rehabilitation care in the most appropriate setting. Patients will have continued access to our high level of medical expertise along with the dedicated, interdisciplinary team of skilled professionals to maximize functionality.

In an inpatient setting, we provide nursing care, management of medical needs, and work on skills for daily living. We provide neurological re-education for balance, along with visual and cognitive processing. We also use advanced technology to help patients having trouble walking. We offer a technology called unweighting, which incorporates a support system from the ceiling to hold up patients so the therapist can assist them in taking steps without any fear of falling or injury. This allows them to work on their walking skills at a higher level.  We also have one of the few Lokomat robotic gait-training systems in the state that moves the legs and feet for patients.

From day 1 following a stroke, our board certified clinical specialists and teams of therapists work in the dedicated acute stroke unit to educate patients and families how to minimize learned non-use from occurring in the first place and begin the rehabilitation process.

Inpatient rehabilitation has a minimum of three hours of intensive therapy every day seven days a week. If patients can’t tolerate that pace, they can go to an extended care facility where they can work at a slower pace for a longer duration. Inpatient therapy generally lasts 1-3 weeks.

Before Admission: 

Patients are evaluated by a Rehabilitation Physician and typically by an Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist and/or Speech-Language Pathologist to determine if inpatient stroke rehabilitation is needed. If inpatient stroke rehabilitation is recommended, then the Admission’s Coordinator verifies insurance authorization and medical clearance from the rehabilitation physician. Once these are verified, then admission can occur. 

Once Admitted:        

A comprehensive initial evaluation with an individualized plan of care will be completed by the rehabilitation team. This includes the rehabilitation physician, nurse, occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech-language pathologist, therapeutic recreation specialist, social worker, and a rehabilitation psychologist. 

1. The team will complete a medical and functional evaluation including your ability to care for yourself, get in and out of bed, walk and get up and down stairs.
2. We will also assess for any changes in the way you think, communicate and swallow.
3. It’s also important for us to learn about your needs for social and emotional support, emergency financial issues and spiritual or religious needs to help maintain a sense of well-being, hope and strength.
4. After this evaluation, the team will determine an anticipated discharge date with you. 

During your stay, you and the stroke rehabilitation team coordinate your care plan, education, activities, exercises, programs, technologies and durable medical equipment to address your rehabilitation goals. Additional providers and services will be consulted as appropriate to meet your continued medical and recovery needs.  

Interdisciplinary Team Meetings: During your rehabilitation stay, the team will meet at least weekly to discuss your progress and address any changes to your plan of care.  

Stroke-Specific Patient and Family Education: You will be provided with a patient and family education pathway to guide your education and training with your providers. It gives you and your caregivers an opportunity to plan your education with your team and to have a way to ask follow up questions later.  

Outpatient rehabilitation mostly focuses on progressing mobility and advancing strength, endurance and speed of walking, helping you to be as independent as possible. In addition, we utilize constraint-induced therapy to help patients improve their weaker side by what is known as forced use. This therapy encourages strength training and activities for the weaker side.

We also work with you on preventing a future stroke, ensuring you are taking your medications and making the necessary lifestyle changes. Dietitians are available to help you make better nutritional choices.

Everyone recovers to different levels at different paces. One person can be completely recovered in two to three months, while some could take a year and still have things to work on, such as strength and endurance. For many, rehabilitation is a lifelong process.