Frequently Asked Questions
How much therapy will I get a day?
Every patient receives at least 3 hours of therapy a day from a combination of services by Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, and Activities/Recreational Therapy. These services occur Monday through Friday, from 7 am to 4 pm. On some occasions, you may have some therapy on Saturday depending on your admission date and your insurance requirements. Dr. Bradley Burton, the neuropsychologist may also see you periodically for testing or follow up care on issues.
Is there therapy on holidays?
Therapy is provided on all holidays but Christmas unless Christmas is on a Saturday or Sunday. If Christmas occurs on a Monday through Friday, therapy will be held on a Saturday or Sunday before or after the holiday.
Can I go out of the facility on a pass?
If the team and your Doctor feels you are safe to leave the facility briefly or overnight they will schedule your family to come for an education and teaching session prior to you going out of the facility. If you have Medicare or a private insurance policy, they will not allow a patient to go out of the facility overnight. If Kentucky Medicaid is paying for your stay with us, then you are allowed to have 15 nights out of the facility during the period of January 1 through December 31.
If you are going out of the facility during a time you would need medication or if you are going home overnight, the nursing staff must know by end of the day on Wednesday to order medication for you to take on your pass. Your family member must come in for teaching prior to you going out for a home pass. If you use a wheelchair or walker that belongs to the facility you will be allowed to take it with you for your pass, but it must be returned. Any item not returned will need to be paid for by the patient or family.
Can my family or friends bring me food?
Prior to having anyone bring food into the facility for the patients, the physician, dietitian, speech therapist and nursing staff must verify that you are allowed to eat it and that you do not have any special dietary needs. Patients with new brain injuries may be a new diabetic or they may only be allowed thickened liquids and a special diet that is overseen only with therapy.
Unfortunately, after a brain injury, many patients do not feel full and will continue to eat. Overeating will cause significant weight gain which may impair the patient from walking or getting in and out of bed or the wheelchair. Persons who were overweight prior to their injury can be educated by the team on how to lose weight successfully.
If you do bring food please try to abstain from bringing high-calorie snack food such as potato chips, cookies, candies, and high-calorie sodas or other drinks. Fresh fruits, flavored applesauce’s, sugar-free drinks, or sugar-free items are best to bring. If you have questions, please ask the nursing staff, speech therapist or dietitian. The dietitian can meet individually with patients and family members to discuss their diet and food choices.
What are the visiting hours?
Since patients have therapy sessions, including individual and group therapies, Monday through Friday anytime from 7 am to 4 pm, we ask that visitors come Monday – Friday between 4:30 pm and 8:30 pm. Visiting hours on Saturday/Sunday are 10 am to 8:30 pm. If there are reasons you cannot visit during those evening times, please let the Program Director, Nurse Manager or Social Worker know so we can notify the team of who is approved to visit at a different time.
Can I bring my dog or cat to visit?
Pets are allowed to visit IF you bring their immunization shot record. We will place a copy in the patient’s record. All animals must be under supervision during the visit. There are also therapy dogs that visit the facility.
How long will I be here?
The therapy team, including your doctor and neuropsychologist, will work with you, your family and your insurance coverage to determine how long you will need to stay in the program. The Social Worker will set up an initial family meeting with pertinent family members to discuss your progress and discharge plan. The team will normally meet with the patient at least every 30 days or more often if a discharge from the program will occur sooner.
How will I know when it is time for discharge?
Patients are discharged from the program for a variety of reasons listed below:
- Met rehab goals and are going home or to a brain injury residential program
- No progress in therapy in the past several weeks and patient no longer meets the criteria for the program.
- Your insurance will no longer pay for you to stay in the facility.
- You no longer have any type of coverage and are not Medicaid eligible or have not applied for Medicaid to cover your stay.
- You chose to leave before the team felt you should discharge.
- You have a weapon, illicit drugs or alcohol found on you at the facility.
- Your behaviors are severe and unable to be managed in the skilled nursing setting.
Can my loved one receive mail?
Mail is delivered to residents personally on a daily basis except for weekends and holidays.
Pathways Brain Injury Program
Attn: ___________________ Room No. _____
4200 Browns Lane
Louisville, KY 40220
Consider using our Send a Greeting feature on the website. You can choose from a variety of postcards to fill out and mail to your loved one for a small fee or you may type a message and through email, send us your email greeting that we will hand deliver to your loved one residing in our facility. Our email feature is free of charge.
How do you protect patients, staff, and visitors from COVID-19 and other infectious diseases?
Our team is highly trained and experienced in caring for high-acuity patients and infectious diseases like COVID-19. Our dedicated infection prevention nurse helps ensure we follow current infection prevention guidelines and best practices. This includes educating all staff about the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as N95 masks, surgical masks, gloves, and gowns and when to use COVID-19 protocols required by local department of public health and/or the CDC.
