Rodger broke his leg in the middle of harvest. For a farmer who still works more than 40 hours a week, sitting still wasn’t part of the plan.

After surgery, he needed more rehabilitation before he could safely return home. He also learned something many patients don’t know: he could choose where to have a referral sent for continued care, and that Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood was an option.

After just 11 days in the Short-Term Rehab (Swing Bed) program, Rodger returned home, ready to continue his recovery with in-home therapy through Glacial Ridge Homecare.

In Rodger’s Words

“After I broke my leg and had surgery, the hospital was looking at nursing homes for rehab, some as far as 50 miles away! I didn’t even know Glacial Ridge offered Swing Bed care until a longtime family friend who works in therapy there told me about it. I live only 17 miles from Glenwood, so I kept asking to go there.

I was really surprised by how much therapy I got at Glacial Ridge Hospital. I had physical therapy twice a day and occupational therapy twice a day. A friend of mine went somewhere else for rehab after a fracture and didn’t get nearly that much therapy. My stay here has been great. It’s such a friendly atmosphere, and everyone says hello.

The therapists really personalize what you do. They asked which side of the bed I get in and out of, so that’s what we practiced. They had me get my clothes out of the closet and practice getting dressed. I’ve used special equipment to help me bathe and dress before, so I just showed them how I use it. They even took me to their occupational therapy kitchen to see how I could move around with my walker.

I’ve got a lot of ambition and still work more than 40 hours a week, farming with my son, working on equipment, and checking our cattle. I’m used to being independent and taking care of myself.

I’m not used to spending so much time inside, so one nice, sunny day, a nurse took me outside to sit in the shade under a tree and visited with me for quite a while. My daughter also wheeled me around outside the hospital. It was really nice to get some fresh air.

After just five days, I’d made enough progress that my doctor approved me to leave the hospital for a family birthday party. The next day, I even got to go home for a few hours and clean my kitchen while my son and grandsons were harvesting. If I wasn’t here, I’d be driving the grain cart and checking cattle on my 4-wheeler!

I’m looking forward to getting home, but I know I’ll have to take it easy for a while. I’ll do what the therapists tell me until they say I can do more. And since I can’t drive yet, I’ll keep getting therapy at home through Glacial Ridge.

I’d recommend Glacial Ridge Hospital to anyone who needs short-term rehab.”

Therapy Built Around Real Life

Rodger’s therapists didn’t follow a generic plan. They practiced the things he would actually do once he got back to his own house: getting in and out of bed on his usual side, pulling clothes from the closet, getting dressed, and moving around a kitchen with a walker.

Each type of therapy plays a different role:

• Physical therapy builds strength, balance, and walking ability.
• Occupational therapy focuses on daily tasks, like dressing, bathing, and cooking.

Glacial Ridge’s occupational therapy kitchen gives patients a real-world space to practice before they leave.

About Short-Term Rehab at Glacial Ridge

Short-Term Rehab, also called Swing Bed care, helps patients who no longer need hospital-level care but aren’t ready to go home. Patients get 24-hour nursing care, provider visits, and physical, occupational, and speech therapy based on their needs. Learn what Swing Bed care is and who qualifies.

Ask About Glacial Ridge Early in Your Hospital Stay

Rodger only found out about Swing Bed care because a family friend told him. Ask as soon as your care team starts talking about rehab, so there’s time to plan the move.

If you or a family member is in a hospital in St. Cloud, Alexandria, the Twin Cities, or elsewhere, you can ask your care team for a referral to Glacial Ridge for Short-Term Rehab. Our discharge planners will work with your hospital, insurance, and family to ensure a smooth transition.

Learn more about Short-Term Rehab at Glacial Ridge Hospital.