Sen. Tim Johnson, who suffered a debilitating brain hemorrhage in December, has left a rehabilitation center to continue his recovery at his home in northern Virginia.

The transition from a full-time rehabilitation facility to outpatient and home care puts Johnson, D-S.D., one step closer to returning to full-time Senate duties. While Johnson has started to handle paperwork, cosponsor legislation and receive briefings, his staff and his doctors have refused to speculate on when he might be able to return to the Capitol.

“He’s at a point where rehab is the focus . . . five days a week,” said Julianne Fisher, Johnson’s press secretary.

In a statement released today, Dr. Michael Yochelson of the National Rehabilitation Hospital said Johnson has shown “significant progress” and is working on walking.

Johnson was released from George Washington University Hospital in February and has spent the last two months in full-time therapy at the rehabilitation facility. He will continue outpatient therapy but he will also be doing some rehabilitation exercises at home.

Johnson’s doctors said a complete recovery from arterio-venous malformation, or AVM, can take up to two years. Johnson was diagnosed with AVM shortly after he was hospitalized Dec. 13.