Outpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program at Shepherd Pathways

Yes, we take patients with mild to moderate behavioral issues who are not at risk of harming themselves or others or being too disruptive to the other clients, i.e., yelling, cursing loudly, screaming, or engaging in any sexually inappropriate behavior.

For additional resources regarding neurobehavioral programs, contact the Brain Injury Association of Georgia at braininjurygeorgia.org or the Brain Injury Information Center HelpLine at 1-800-444-6443.

The Residential Program is available for patients who require full supervision and cannot live alone or with family. Visiting hours are 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. ET on weekdays, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET on Saturdays, and 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET on Sundays. Family and friends are encouraged to visit, but overnight visits are prohibited. If needed, your assigned case manager can assist you in locating local lodging alternatives.

Complimentary housing for Shepherd Pathways Day Program patients and families is limited to families and Day Program patients referred directly from Shepherd Center's inpatient rehabilitation program if both the patient and family live more than 60 miles from the hospital's main campus in Atlanta. 

When you come to Shepherd Pathways, you will receive a thorough assessment by the physician and your treatment team. Your case manager will help coordinate your care with your rehabilitation team so that you reach your rehabilitation goals.

This team may include physical, occupational, speech, and recreation therapists, a nurse, a neuropsychologist, a rehabilitation counselor, a vocational specialist, a life skills trainer, and a rehabilitation technician.

Upon completion of your therapy evaluation, the treatment team, in collaboration with you and your family, will discuss recommendations and, if indicated, will establish treatment goals and an estimated length of stay.

Shepherd Pathways' post-acute program treats patients with traumatic or non-traumatic brain injury, as well as stroke patients. We also offer services to those who have the dual diagnosis of brain and spinal cord injury. Patients must be medically and behaviorally stable and be able to tolerate three to five hours of therapy a day depending on the program in which the patient is enrolled.

We strive to provide timely service to all of our patients. At times, we do have a waiting list. If you do not wish to wait for an opening, we will be glad to provide you with recommendations for other facilities that may be able to meet your treatment needs.

We ask family members or caregivers to accompany the client on their first day of treatment, as well as scheduled family training and/or conferences. Pathways has an open-door policy, and we encourage families to observe treatment sessions as they can.

You may be asked to step out of a session if this distracts the client or if the client is undergoing formalized assessments. Due to various reasons, you will not be able to attend all groups, even if they occur in the client's schedule during a training day.

Staff can direct you to which groups are open to families and caregivers. We also offer family education and support groups that are highly recommended for all families during the therapy day. 

Yes, all clients should have an established primary care physician (PCP). It provides you with a physician who can address any medical need and oversee your medical care.

Pathways physicians do not treat clients for medical issues or concerns unrelated to their injury (e.g., flu, strep throat, etc.). If you do not live locally, you may sometimes have to go to an urgent care center to address these issues.

Your medical record can be forwarded to your primary care physician or other providers upon discharge at your request for continuity of care.

If your loved one is currently an inpatient at Shepherd Center, please speak to your assigned case manager. All other patients can contact the admissions department at 404-350-7602.

Once you have been approved to start treatment, you will receive your schedule from the admissions department or case manager.

On your first day, please arrive at Shepherd Pathways 30 minutes before your first session to register and sign the required paperwork. The receptionist will assist you in the registration process and direct you to your first treatment session.

If you or your loved one has a guardian, that person must accompany you on the first day of treatment to sign the paperwork. Guardianship papers must also be brought to verify the patient’s legal guardian.

We want to make your registration and therapy as informative and efficient as possible. Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled therapy appointment and bring the following items with you:

• Your insurance card
• Your medication list (please bring all medications in their original labeled bottles)
• Your pharmacy phone number
• If you utilize a Hoyer lift for transfers, please put your sling under you.
• Please bring an extra change of clothes in case you need them. Lockers are provided. If you want to lock the locker, please bring a pad lock.

Day Treatment Program and Outpatient Services

For your Day Treatment Program and Outpatient Services, please remember to bring:

• Your insurance card
• A list of your medications
• Medications you'll need to take during therapy
• Supplies for bowel and bladder care
• A change of clothes
• Any therapy equipment you use (such as splints, walking aids, cognitive prosthetics, wheelchairs, etc.)
• A labeled lunch if your session spans lunchtime

Please note: Shepherd Pathways does not supply medications or personal medical items. However, our nursing staff can supervise your medication administration during therapy. If you require medication administration by a nurse, please inform your inpatient case manager or admissions coordinator before admission.

We provide refrigerators and microwaves, and our staff can assist with meal preparation.

Residential Program

For our Residential Program, please bring:

• Your insurance card
• Your medications in their original labeled pill bottles
• Supplies for bowel and bladder care
• Comfortable clothing, including tennis shoes and a bathing suit
• Personal hygiene items
• A cell phone
• Personal items for your room (such as pictures or books) labeled with your name
• Any equipment needed to complete therapy such as splints, wheelchairs, walking devices, cognitive prosthetics, and any adaptive equipment

You will be assigned a primary therapist and team. Depending on what program you are attending, you will be scheduled for individual and group-based treatment. Your primary therapist will collaborate with you to guide your treatment plan and goals.

You will also be treated by other therapists and rehabilitation technicians who will be familiar with your treatment plan and care needs. Having a variety of staff members working with you will allow you to benefit from their expertise and experience.

On your first visit, you are encouraged to bring a family member or caregiver with you who is most familiar with your needs. You will meet with most of your team members to discuss your personal information and goals. Each week, you will receive your therapy schedule, which can be picked up at the receptionist's desk, or you can call 404-248-1667, and your schedule will be provided to you by the receptionist.

Please contact the admissions department at 404-603-1405 if you have any changes in your medical status that would impact your therapy. This could include seizures, cardiac issues, blood pressure issues, weight-bearing restrictions, or uncontrollable pain. Failure to do so will result in early discharge.

You are responsible for your own transportation. Those patients with Medicaid may utilize Medicaid Transportation. Others may choose to obtain services through MARTA Para transit.

For outpatient and Day Program patients, if you have an emergency after therapy hours or on the weekends, please call 911 or go to your local emergency room or urgent care center.

To obtain medication refills, please speak to your team nurse. Please provide the client’s name, date of birth, the medication and dosage required, and the phone number for the pharmacy where you want to pick up the medication. We also need a contact number to reach you with any questions.

Please allow up to 24-48 hours for most prescription refill requests. It is important to provide several days of notice for your needed refills so you do not run out of medication.

You may ask the nursing staff about your lab results at any time. In general, if all lab results are within normal range, you will not be notified by the nursing staff or the physician. If an abnormal result is found, the nursing staff will call you with results and physician instructions.

Shepherd Center has a financial counselor available to discuss your questions or concerns. The financial counselor can be reached at 404-350-7323.

A medical records release authorization form is available for download on our Medical Records page, or you may contact the Health Information Management Department at 404-350-7325.

Please provide your assigned case manager with any forms that need to be completed. The case manager will assist in ensuring these forms are completed and returned to you in a timely manner.

Shepherd Pathways is a smoke-free hospital.

Alcoholic beverages are NOT permitted on Shepherd Center property or hospital-supervised outings. The use of illegal drugs or alcohol is prohibited. If there is any reason to believe you are using illegal drugs or alcohol, you will be asked to give a blood or urine specimen. A positive drug screen will likely result in discharge from the program.

Shepherd Pathways is not responsible for valuables and other personal items left unattended. We ask that you leave unnecessary items at home.

Shepherd Pathways’ hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

If there is inclement weather, please call 404-248-1667. A recording will inform you if Pathways will have a delayed opening or will be closed for the day. Also, you can check the homepage of shepherd.org for a closure announcement.

Shepherd Pathways is conveniently nestled in Decatur, Georgia, close to the vibrant Toco Hills neighborhood. Our location offers easy access from Interstates 75, 85, and 285 and is only 19 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

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Yes. Shepherd Pathways offers complimentary and easily accessible parking for all patients, including designated ADA parking spaces.

Shepherd Pathways can provide you and your family with time-limited access to donor-funded housing. To be eligible for housing, you must be referred directly from Shepherd Center's inpatient program and live more than 60 miles from Shepherd Center's main campus in Atlanta.