Choosing a Rehabilitation Facility

Choosing a rehabilitation facility for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when it comes to your child’s care. Yet choosing a rehabilitation facility can also be very confusing. Many parents have questions like “How can I ensure the facility has quality care?”, “How do I know the facility will meet my child’s particular needs?”, and “What kinds of questions should I ask when choosing a facility?”

Of course, when choosing a facility the most important thing to consider is whether it has the staff and services to serve your child. Other things that factor into a family’s decision include where the facility is located, as well as whether or not it is covered by insurance.

To start your search, begin by looking at our list of rehabilitation facilities by state. Once you’ve located some facilities in your area, check to see that they accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Some of these facilities will also be designated Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program (BSCIP) facilities by the Department of Health’s Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

Once you’ve narrowed your search down, it’s important to visit the facilities to meet the staff and assess whether or not the program will meet your child’s needs. Arrive equipped with a list of questions, including:

Does the facility have experience treating children with brain injury?

1. What percentage of your patients are currently kids with brain injury?
2. Are there currently children of similar age and gender to mine being treated at the facility?
3. Do the kids in the brain injury program have similar injuries in terms of type and severity?
4. How many children with brain injuries were admitted in the last year?
5. Is the staff well trained in the specific needs of kids with brain injury?
6. Will my child’s rehabilitation program include both short-term and long-term goals?
7. What kinds of specialists are on staff at the facility?
8. Is there anyone at the facility who will help us navigate insurance issues and other financial matters?
9. Is there physician coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
10. How often will my child receive treatment? Will he or she receive treatment at least three hours per day?
11. What kinds of recreation and entertainment is available for my child?
12. How will we, as parents, be included in the rehabilitation process?
13. Will my child and other family members receive counseling as part of the treatment process?

Visiting each potential rehabilitation center and asking the above questions (as well as any others that are important to you and your family) will ensure that you find the facility that is best for your child.