About Your Stay

During your stay at the Orlando Health Advanced Rehabilitation Institute, you will be under the care of our compassionate team of physicians, therapists and nurses. You will take part in a rehabilitation plan tailored to your individual needs, spending at least three hours a day with our specialized therapists. You will be immersed in a nurturing environment whose goal is to help you return home with the highest level of independence possible.

Admission Criteria

To be admitted into the Comprehensive Medical Inpatient Rehabilitation program at Orlando Health Advanced Rehabilitation Institute, you will need to meet the following criteria:

  • Demonstrate medical need for inpatient care, including the need for regular physician follow-up and 24-hour rehabilitation nursing.
  • Be able to tolerate three hours of intensive therapy daily, while needing at least two therapy disciplines.
  • Be expected to achieve functional improvement from this program, with the goal of returning home.
  • Have a reasonable and safe discharge plan, including a family member/caregiver willing to receive training and education to assist in your care.

Visitor Policy

At the Orlando Health Advanced Rehabilitation Institute, we understand the value of having regular visits from family, friends and caregivers. Here’s what you need to know.

  • Regular visiting hours are 8:00 am to 8:00 pm We also allow after-hours visits between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
    • All visitors will pass through a metal detector and sign in and out at the reception desk.
    • You can have a maximum of three visitors in your room.
    • Overnight visitors must be at least 18 years old and be approved by nursing leadership. These visitors will check in and out with the charge nurse upon arrival and departure.
  • Visitation must be consistent with the protection of the patient's right to rest, privacy, confidentiality and safety. 
  • If you choose a “No Publicity” (NP) status, you will not be listed in the hospital directory and will not be able to receive visitors.  
  • Visitation may be limited due to:  
    • A change in your status requiring an immediate intervention.
    • Environmental safety concerns.
  • We encourage non-caregivers to visit after therapy sessions have been completed to make sure you take part in therapy and have time to rest afterward. Designated caregivers can visit anytime between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, understanding there may be limitations because of your clinical needs.
  • Infection control precautions:
    • If you are on airborne precautions, your visitors will be instructed to wear protective personal equipment (PPE) per Orlando Health policy.
    • If you are on contact isolation precautions, your visitors will be instructed to wear appropriate PPE per Orlando Health policy.

What To Expect

What do I need to bring with me?

Please plan to arrive with three to five days’ worth of clothing that is loose fitting and easy to move around in. For footwear, bring supportive tennis shoes or sneakers. Leave your sandals, slides or heels/wedges at home.

Pack standard personal items, though we may be able to provide basic items if you need them. You can also bring along your cell phone and other personal electronic devices. We recommend that you leave valuables at home.

Our therapists will often ask for measurements or pictures of the home environment you will return to after discharge. We will provide more details on this during your stay.

What will each day include?

You will participate in at least three hours of therapy five days a week, which may be adjusted by your team as needed. Your sessions may include a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech language pathology, depending on your own needs.

You will dress in your own clothes each morning – no hospital gowns are worn during the day. You are expected to be out of bed and will be encouraged to eat meals in the dining area.

Each morning, you will be given a customized schedule of your day’s activities. We try to accommodate schedule preferences, but everyone must complete their treatment plan during daytime hours.

Our nurses will record your vital signs every six hours (6:00 a.m., noon, 6:00 p.m. and midnight). We understand the importance of a restful sleep, but our nursing team will perform periodic checks on you during both the day and night shifts.

What additional services do you offer?

Outside of the three primary therapy services (physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech language pathology), we offer a variety of other services and specialties.

These include:

  • Dietitians: You will be screened to evaluate your nutritional needs.
  • Recreational Therapy: We use a wide range of activity and community-based activities to meet your physical, cognitive, emotional, social and leisure needs.
  • Neuropsychology: Consultations are offered if you’re having difficulty adjusting to your new situation or if you have behavioral management needs.
  • Wheelchair and seating assessment.
  • Home evaluations.
  • Group therapy: Cooking, mindfulness, pet therapy, music group and other art/craft activities are offered.
  • Assistance with community resources, including Lynx bus service.
  • Interpreters.
  • Pet visitation.
  • Food/vending.
  • Social Outings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will I be in rehab?

Your time in rehab will depend on your illness or injury, baseline function and ability to participate. When you are admitted to inpatient rehab, the medical staff, therapy team and nursing team will evaluate you to determine your rehab needs. Our goal is to help you set and meet achievable goals so that you gain the highest level of independence. We want to help you return home, where you will be able to care for yourself or be assisted by your caregiver.

What will I need to do before I go home?

Before you go home, we want you and your caregiver to be able to handle all of your mobility and self-care tasks. Mobility tasks include getting out of bed, transferring to surfaces, walking and/or using a wheelchair. Self-care includes feeding yourself, brushing your teeth, getting dressed and bathing. If you need help with these tasks, we will work with your caregiver to meet those needs.

What happens when I am done with rehab?

Before you return home or move to another care facility, we will make sure you are prepared, which includes training your caregiver if needed. Before you leave, you will receive discharge instructions, including medication information, follow-up appointments, referrals for continued care or therapy, exercise instruction and other information. After you return home, you will receive a survey in the mail or electronically regarding your stay. We appreciate feedback about your time at the Orlando Health Advanced Rehabilitation Institute. With your approval, we would also like to stay in contact regarding our events, including patient reunions, health fairs and other community events. Our patients are patients for life!