Day SCI Rehabilitation Program

A woman assists another woman using TRX suspension straps in a physical therapy setting. The woman using the straps is smiling, while the assistant supports her from a seated position. Exercise equipment and a wheelchair are visible in the background.

Your next milestone toward independence

Recovering from a spinal cord injury or neurological disorder doesn’t end when you leave inpatient rehabilitation. If you’re ready to move forward but still need expert care and guidance, Shepherd Center’s Spinal Cord Injury Day Program is here to bridge the gap.

This outpatient program is designed to help you regain independence at home, work, school, and in your community. With a focus on personalized therapy and community reintegration, the Day Program provides the tools and support you need to thrive beyond inpatient care.

Comprehensive rehabilitation without overnight care

The Spinal Cord Injury Day Program delivers the same world-class care as our inpatient program — minus the hospital stay. Your care team works closely with you to address your specific needs and goals, with services like:

  • Physical, occupational, speech, and recreation therapy
  • Daily living skills training
  • Counseling and education sessions
  • Regular community outings
  • Driving evaluations and training
  • Vocational rehabilitation/school re-entry services
  • Specialty clinics for spasticity, mobility, wound care, pain management, and more

With up to five days of therapy per week, we focus on building the practical skills you need to thrive at home and in your community.

A program tailored to you

No two recoveries are the same, and your care plan shouldn’t be either. In the Day Program, you’ll have a case manager to coordinate your schedule and track your progress. A physician is available if urgent medical issues arise, ensuring your recovery stays on track.

A man in a wheelchair is being assisted by another man to transfer from a car on a sunny day. The car door is open, and they are positioned next to the vehicle. Both are smiling, and the sky is clear.
A group of five people, including a person in a wheelchair, sit around a glass table with snacks and drinks. They are engaged in a lively conversation in a bright room with large windows.
Male patient alongside his mother meets with physician for continued outpatient medical management and rehabilitative care following the completion of an inpatient rehabilitation program for a brain injury.
From driving independence, family support in group therapy, and continued outpatient care, our Day Program empowers spinal cord injury patients to reclaim their lives.

Easing your transition home and back to life

Reintegrating into daily life after a spinal cord injury can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Shepherd Center’s team is here to support with services tailored to help you regain independence and confidence.

  • Mobility training: Build and refine skills like wheelchair navigation, transfers, or walking, depending on your abilities.
  • Community outings: Practice real-world skills with guided trips to places like airports, restaurants, malls, and grocery stores.
  • Self-care and life skills: Learn to manage daily activities, from grooming and dressing to scheduling and time management.
  • Family and caregiver training: Equip your loved ones with the knowledge and tools to support your recovery journey.
  • Medical education: Receive expert guidance on managing bowel and bladder care, spasticity, and other health needs.
  • Return-to-work counseling: Explore job options, gain workforce readiness skills, and access vocational rehab for workplace modifications or new career paths.
  • Home and car modifications: Get recommendations for adapting your living space or vehicle to fit your needs.

Housing and payment options

Housing support

For those who live more than 30 miles away, Shepherd Center offers on-campus furnished apartments during treatment at the Irene and George Woodruff Family Residence Center. A trained caregiver (18 and older) must stay with the patient at all times.

Insurance and payment

Shepherd Center works with many insurance providers, including Medicare and Medicaid. We can also help coordinate out-of-pocket payments and case-by-case agreements with private insurers. For more details, visit our Costs & Insurance page.

Why Shepherd Center?

As the largest freestanding neurorehabilitation hospital in the U.S., Shepherd Center has been a trusted leader for over 50 years. Our compassionate care, groundbreaking therapies, and commitment to patient goals set us apart.

National recognition and accreditation

Shepherd Center is a Spinal Cord Injury Model System Center, recognized by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. Accredited by The Joint Commission and CARF, we uphold the highest standards in healthcare and rehabilitation.

Awards & Recognition

Comprehensive continuum of care

From inpatient rehabilitation to outpatient therapy and lifelong wellness programs, we support your journey, helping you transition home, return to work, or achieve new milestones.

Our Services & Clinics

Exceptional outcomes

Our patients consistently achieve superior outcomes, regaining independence and confidence as they re-enter their communities.

Spinal Cord Injury Outcomes

Innovative research and treatments

Through our Virginia C. Crawford Research Institute, we remain at the forefront of neurorehabilitation advancements, giving patients access to cutting-edge treatments, technologies, and clinical trials.

Spinal Cord Injury Research

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