Our Care and Services

At Northwestern Medicine, our inpatient rehabilitation programs combine intensive therapy with compassionate care to help patients of all ages regain independence and live their life to the fullest. Our customized treatment plans help you manage the physical, emotional and behavioral changes you may experience as a result of the stroke.

With your abilities and goals in mind, we also provide a comprehensive approach to help you learn techniques and practices that:

• Increase your strength, function and mobility.
• Reduce your physical limitations and pain.
• Restore and maximize the potential of performing everyday activities.
• Form lifestyle behaviors that promote your well-being.

We also provide emotional support, counseling and education about the condition as well as resources for after you leave the hospital.

Inpatient stroke rehabilitation is available at Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital and the Woodstock Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital.

Inpatient stroke rehabilitation is also offered for children at the Marianjoy location.

Criteria for Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation Admission

Adult inpatient rehabilitation is for patients experiencing changes in physical function, mobility, speech, cognition, behavior, emotions and personal independence due to:

• Physical disabilities
• Illnesses
• Injuries

To be admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation programs at Northwestern Medicine, you must:

• Participate in three hours of intensive rehabilitation at least five days a week.
• Require two or more types of therapy, such as physical, speech or occupational.
• Require 24-hour medical care with daily physician oversight.
• Have the capacity to make functional improvements based on the rehabilitation goals set with their personal therapy team.
• Get approval from a physiatrist, a physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation, that you meet the above criteria.

Your Inpatient Rehabilitation Team

Our rehabilitation teams have extensive experience in managing the rehabilitation and health needs of patients who have experienced a stroke, including patients who have multiple medical needs. Because we partner closely with other Northwestern Medicine facilities and specialists, you have access to the most advanced treatment options available.

Your team may include:

• A physiatrist who is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation
• A resident physician
• Advanced practice registered nurse
• Rehabilitation registered nurse
• Occupational therapist
• Physical therapist
• Speech-language pathologist
• Case manager
• Psychologist
• Pharmacist
• Dietitian
• Chaplain
• Therapeutic recreation

Your Treatment Plan

After a complete assessment, we will work with you to set your goals. Together, we will design a comprehensive, customized treatment plan to help you reach them. Therapy sessions typically take place for at least three hours a day, at least five days per week. They are intended to maximize your recovery.

They may include:

• Daily physiatrist interaction and guidance
• Regular consultation with a neuropsychologist to evaluate and update treatment to ensure you are making progress toward your goals
• An individualized mobility treatment plan, determined by your physical therapist, focused on goals like walking, strengthening, balance and coordination
• Using assistive therapeutic technology to augment treatment
• Occupational therapy to help you with range of motion, coordination, cognition, and your ability to perform everyday self-care activities
• Speech therapy to treat communication and swallowing disorders, along with cognitive issues like memory loss and problem-solving.
• Pain management.
• Emotional support and counseling for the you and your family.
• Vocational and academic services to help you return to school or the workforce.
• Education to give you resources after program discharge.

Patient and Family Education

Education is a key part of your rehabilitation journey. Your nursing and therapy teams will:

• Teach you how to manage your current medical condition, along with any potential future health concerns related to your stroke.
• Help you and your family overcome challenges, such as those related to self-care or everyday activities.
• Share tools and techniques to address the psychological and emotional difficulties that may occur as you adapt to life after a stroke.