What can I expect after spinal cord injury?

Special Considerations

Psychosocial/Counseling Services

1. What types and how many hours of psychosocial services are available? These should include peer support, individual and group psychotherapy, couples, vocational and substance abuse counseling.
2. Does the facility offer sexuality and fertility counseling?

Facility Policies/Family Members

1. Do facility policies encourage family members including siblings regardless of age, to participate in rehabilitation programs?
2. Are there living arrangements for family members participating in training? What other services, parking, meals and etc. are provided?
3. Are counseling and other social services available to family members?

Discharge Planning

1. Are SCI program participants given educational self-care manuals when they are discharged?
2. Will staff members develop a formal discharge plan with program participants and their families?
3. Does the facility and discharge planner work with local Independent Living Centers? Do they incorporate referrals to these centers into their discharge planning?
4. Is there an independent living unit available for program participants and families to practice self-care skills? Can family members stay there also?
5. If the facility does not have an independent living unit do they encourage overnight therapeutic leave prior to discharge?
6. Will someone be assigned as a liaison to provide follow-up services?
7. Will a staff member visit or make arrangements for someone locally to evaluate the home for modifications?
8. Will the follow-up plan include:
   • Referral to an appropriate physician and other medical specialists in the community?
   • Regular follow-up visits with this physician or a spinal cord injury unit physician?
   • Regular urological evaluations?
   • Scheduled equipment evaluations?
   • If appropriate, a thorough vocational evaluation and referrals to a vocational rehabilitation program?
   • Referrals to other services and resources in the community, e.g. elder services?