Skilled Nursing Facility
Patients recovering from serious illness, injury or surgery may need medically supervised rehab after leaving the hospital. Houston Methodist’s skilled nursing facility gives you a safe, residential (overnight) setting in which to continue your recovery.
Our rehabilitation therapists have extensive experience and training to help you regain function, mobility and independence. Doctors and nurses are on site 24/7 to monitor your care. Whether you are recovering from a hip replacement, heart surgery or stroke, Houston Methodist provides the rehab expertise to help you along the road to recovery.
What to Expect at a Skilled Nursing Facility
What is a skilled nursing facility?
Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) offer intensive rehabilitation services from licensed physical, occupational and speech therapists. Patients in SNF also can access medication management, dietary support and other services to help with healing.
Our specialists work with adults who have a variety of neurological, cardiac and other serious conditions, including:
- Stroke
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries or disease
- Cardiac conditions, such as heart attack, coronary artery disease and heart surgery
- Musculoskeletal conditions, such as joint or hip replacement, limb amputation, fractures and tendon injuries
- Neuromuscular conditions, such as Guillain-Barre, multiple sclerosis, ALS and myasthenia gravis
- Pulmonary conditions, such as COPD, sarcoidosis, cystic fibrosis and lung surgery
- Cancer-related conditions
Much like a hospital, you’ll stay overnight in our SNF while you are receiving services. The average length of stay is about 30 days, and most people return home to continue rehab in an outpatient setting.
What treatments are available?
Depending on your diagnosis and concerns, your treatment plan may include physical, occupational and/or speech therapy. Your therapists will work with you to design a treatment plan to help you meet your goals. All services are provided at your bedside.
Some of the common concerns we address in skilled nursing rehab include:
- Activities of daily living (dressing, bathing, toileting, self-care)
- Barriers to returning home
- Challenges to community re-entry (work, school, travel, public spaces)
- Cognitive issues (difficulties with memory, thinking or reasoning)
- Family support and education
- Feeding and swallowing
- Functional impairments
- Mobility (use of limbs, walking or using assistive devices)
- Speech restoration
At Houston Methodist, we offer high-quality, patient-centered treatment plans. You and your family will participate in goal-setting discussions and planning to ensure you are supported during and after treatment.
Frequently asked questions
What can I bring to a SNF?
Comfortable clothes and rubber-soled shoes are preferred for intensive therapy sessions. You may also bring pajamas, personal hygiene items, books and other reading materials. Prescription medications will be provided by our nursing team. Please do not bring valuable items.How long does treatment take?
Treatment length varies from person to person. It depends on your diagnosis and the progress you make while in our care. The average length –of stay at Houston Methodist skilled nursing facility is about 30 days.To learn more about our campus, browse our patient guide [PDF].