What do you need help with?
For social workers, families and caregivers. Tell us what's going on — we'll point you to the kinds of resources that usually help and what to ask when you call.
Aphasia (trouble with language)
Difficulty speaking, understanding, reading or writing — often after a stroke or brain injury. The mainstay is speech-language therapy, plus rehab.
- Do you have a speech-language pathologist (SLP) who treats aphasia specifically?
- Is therapy individual, group, or both — and how often?
- Do you take my insurance, and is a physician referral needed?
Stroke recovery
Recovery usually combines intensive rehab (PT/OT/speech) with skilled care, stepping down to outpatient or home therapy.
- Can the facility provide ~3 hours/day of therapy (the inpatient-rehab standard)?
- What's the therapy team — PT, OT, and speech?
- How will you coordinate the next step (home or outpatient)?
Wound care
Complex or non-healing wounds are managed in skilled nursing or by home-health nursing.
- Do you have a wound-care nurse or certified wound specialist?
- Can you manage a wound vac / negative-pressure therapy?
- What documentation (recent photos, staging) do you need on transfer?
Getting moving again (PT / OT)
Therapy to rebuild strength and daily function — inpatient, in skilled nursing, or outpatient/at home.
- How many therapy hours per day, and which disciplines?
- What are your typical goals and length of stay?
Ventilator / breathing support
Ventilator and complex respiratory care is provided in long-term care hospitals (LTCH) and select skilled-nursing units.
- Do you have a ventilator / trach unit, and respiratory therapists on staff?
- Do you do vent weaning?
Memory loss / dementia
Care ranges from secured memory-care nursing facilities to in-home support and caregiver resources.
- Do you have a secured memory-care unit and dementia-trained staff?
- What's your approach to wandering and behavioral changes?
Comfort / end-of-life care
Hospice provides comfort-focused care, most often at home, with a full support team.
- Is care at home, and what does the team include (nurse, aide, chaplain, social worker)?
- How do you handle after-hours needs?
Going home — equipment & help
Lining up medical equipment and non-medical home-care help for a safe discharge home.
- Is the equipment covered by my insurance, or is there a free loan closet?
- Is the home-care agency licensed, and what can aides do (and not do)?
Mental health & substance use
Behavioral-health and substance-use needs span counseling, community programs and residential treatment.
- Is this outpatient, intensive outpatient, or residential?
- Do you take my insurance, and is there a waitlist?
Paying for care
Programs that pay for care or a caregiver, and what your plan covers.
- Am I (or my family member) eligible — and who do I call to apply?
- What's covered, and what's the out-of-pocket cost?
Food, housing & utilities
Community resources for everyday needs that affect recovery.
- What are the eligibility rules and hours?
- Do I need an appointment or referral?
This points you to the kinds of resources that usually help — it is information, not medical advice, and not a decision about whether you or your family member qualify. Confirm with your care team and the program.