What Monroe County Hospital’s Swing Bed program means for you and your family.
When families walk through the doors of Monroe County Hospital to check in on a loved one in our Swing Bed program, many of them say the same thing before they even round the corner: “This place just feels like home. It just feels like family.”
That is not something a hospital can manufacture. It is something that gets built, patient by patient, over years of genuine community care. And it is exactly what our Swing Bed program was designed to offer.
So What Is a Swing Bed, Exactly?
A Swing Bed is an extended hospital stay program that allows patients to remain at Monroe County Hospital for short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing care following an acute hospital stay, surgery, or serious illness. Instead of being discharged to a facility far from home, patients can stay right here, receive the therapies they need, and recover surrounded by familiar faces.
Patients in our program typically stay two to three weeks, receiving individualized care from a dedicated team that includes physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, nurses, and clinical support staff. Every plan is built around the specific goals of that patient, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Who Qualifies?
The Swing Bed program is a Medicare benefit. To qualify, a patient generally must have had a qualifying inpatient hospital stay of at least three days immediately prior to their Swing Bed admission, and must require skilled nursing or rehabilitative therapy services. Most Medicare Advantage plans also cover the program, and Medicare supplements typically cover any applicable co-pays or deductibles.
Swing Bed care is not only for elderly patients. Our program serves a wide range of adults recovering from orthopedic surgeries, strokes, pneumonia, complex wounds, and other conditions that require skilled care before a patient is ready to return home safely. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, contact our Swing Bed Coordinator at 478-394-6350. We will help you figure it out.
What to Expect During Your Stay
From the moment you arrive, our team’s focus is on getting you stronger, safer, and ready to return to the life you love. Here is what a typical Swing Bed stay looks like at Monroe County Hospital:
Personalized care planning.
Our clinical team collaborates with you and your family to build a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals. Your input matters at every step.
Therapy throughout the day.
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy sessions are scheduled in shorter, more frequent intervals so you have time to rest and recover between sessions. You will need comfortable clothing and shoes with good traction.
Weekly progress reviews.
Your care team meets weekly to evaluate how you are progressing and begin planning for what you will need when you go home, including any equipment or support services.
Medical oversight and nutrition.
A provider oversees your care throughout your stay, and our team provides daily nutritional evaluation and personalized menu planning.
Private rooms and visitors welcome.
You have a private room with a television and telephone, and visitors are welcome to stay overnight. Families are encouraged to be present. In fact, we consider that part of the healing process.
A Place That Feels Like Family
One of the things that makes our Swing Bed program different is time. Most rehabilitation facilities move patients in and out quickly. Here, patients stay for two to three weeks, which means they get to know our team, and our team gets to know them. Staff members stop by on their way to other departments just to check in. Administrators recognize patients in the hallway by name. Families stop in for lunch at the cafeteria and feel at home doing it.
That kind of familiarity is not a small thing when you are recovering from something hard. Healing happens faster when you feel safe, known, and cared for, not just processed.
Coming Home to Monroe County
For many of our patients, the choice to come to Monroe County Hospital’s Swing Bed program is also a choice to stay close to the people who matter most. Spouses can visit without a long drive. Children can stop in after school. Church members can drop by. That access matters, and it is something larger facilities simply cannot offer in the same way.
Our Swing Bed program is one of the most important things we do for this community, and we are committed to making it the best it can possibly be.
We’re Here for Your Health.
If you or someone you love may benefit from our Swing Bed program, we would love to talk with you.
Contact our Swing Bed Coordinator at 478-394-6350 or learn more at MonroeHospital.org.