If you are reading this, you likely have a loved one who is heading into rehab, spinal cord injury…read moreor stroke related. I am writing this because there isn't much info about this place, and I had a family member in here for about 3 weeks. I wanted info, but found little, so here is my way of helping someone else who may be coming to this rough patch in the road.
OVERALL: 10/10
WHERE IS IT? It's a section of the 3rd floor of the main Kaiser Hospital in Vallejo, it is not a separate building. There are 2 sections of rooms, both on the 3rd floor. One section is directly above the Labor & Delivery (2nd floor), and the other section is in the main hospital wing.
PARKING: You can park in Lot 2 (open to anyone) or park in the parking garage, park closest to the elevators. Parking is free in both areas. It gets busy, so they even have a parking valet until 5pm in the main loop.
WHAT HAPPENS? They will take the patient in, and the doctor will do a quick initial assessment when the patient arrives. The doctor will likely ask the patient to rest for the remainder of day. The following day is an assessment by all of the specialist departments, OT, PT, and Speech Therapy (which is also related to memory). They have a huddle and decide what would be the best plan of action for rehab, and determine an estimated discharge date. Most patients had about 2 weeks as their initial window. Depending on the progress, they could extend the therapy for an additional 5 days if they believe progress is being made, so your timeline may be extended. Ours was extended twice.
DAILY: The patients are given a daily schedule of all their 30-minute therapy classes (some acronyms were new to me: OTD is OT for dressing in the morning, RME is resistance mat exercises). Weekend class schedule is different and varies per patient, usually less classes. If no family member is there to take the patient to their class, the nurses or therapists get them there. There are lines on the floor to help navigate the area: PT is red, Speech is orange, OT is green, and admin offices is brown.
ROOMS: Some patients get a large private room, and some are in a quad-room which separates 4 patients by hospital curtains. Just depends on what opens up first.
VISITORS: They allow one guest to stay full-time in the patient's room. You can request a pull out bed that is surprisingly comfortable. You can shower in the patient's bathroom (some have Jack & Jill bathrooms between 2 patients rooms, so be sure to lock both doors). Your loved one will likely be tired from all the therapy classes, so try to limit guests so they can rest.
AMENITIES: They have a laundry room where you can bring your own HE (high efficiency) detergent, and wash clothes for free. There is a family room which is a large room with tables for families to visit with their loved one. You also could do some laptop work in there if needed. Ice and water dispensers, shared fridge so be sure to label your items, and hospital type snacks (graham crackers, soup broth, etc) The family room by the rehab gym is nicer and more well lit than the one in the other area.
FOOD: There is a standard hospital cafeteria on the 1st floor. During the week they have a salad bar, hot foods, and cold foods. Weekends is a small menu. On Mondays and Fridays there is a farmer's market. Down Sereno Drive (left when exiting the hospital) are 2 grocery stores (Food Basket and 168) and a small neighborhood Walmart. If you can drive, go across 80, there are lots of food options and stores (Target, Nick the Greek, Ike's, Starbucks, Costco, DSW, Marshalls, In-n-Out, etc)
LODGING: If you need to stay somewhere, the Homewood Suites in Fairfield is about a 15 minute drive up 80, from the hospital. It's equipped with a kitchen and small gym, plus free breakfast in the mornings. Park in the front, the back gets extremely dark. Leave zero items in your vehicle, and you are good.
Hang in there, you got this.
