When people can’t go home from a hospital, they are often sent to a skilled nursing facility. Why can’t they go home? It’s not safe.
In health terms, being safe means being able to do everyday things without help with no harm being done. Everyday things, called Activities of Daily Living (ADL), are things like showering, using the bathroom, and preparing food.
While there, patients are given:
Physical therapy to increase strength
Occupational therapy to work on ADLs and fine motor strength
Speech therapy to prevent choking, speech and swallowing use the same set of muscles.
Medications prescribed by the facility doctor who takes over your care while there.
Wound care by nurses who will monitor and change your dressings.
Hygiene care by certified nursing assistants (CNA).
Specialized treatments can include dialysis, ventilators, tube feedings, drains, IV medications, etc.
Activities directors offer distractions from the medical care. They might run games in the lounge or give out books do read in your room.
Participate as much as possible in every therapy and treatment given there.
Learn how to do the exercises correctly and why they are being done. Pay attention to the wound dressing changes, you may have to do them yourself when you get home.
Move as much as possible when you are awake. Stay up. Do the activities on the calendar. Talk with your roommate. Go to the garden. Work with therapy so you can do more every day.
The more you move, the stronger you get. That strength is your ticket home.
Chronic Living Blog 
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