Whether you are aware of it or not rehabilitation begins even while you are at the care hospital. You will begin to see therapists that will move your arms and legs to keep them from getting stiff and help you get stronger. It is important that the rehabilitation program you choose meets as many of your needs as possible. Rehabilitation is where you will learn the basic skills of taking care of yourself so that you can return to your community in the best possible shape. It is very important that the place you choose has a team of professionals that work closely together with you and your family. They should treat you and your family as important members of the team and be available to you.
Here is a list of some of the services you should expect to see in a rehabilitation program:
This is a doctor who has received advanced training and is certified in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Your doctor will manage your medical care and oversee your progress in therapy. Your physiatrist will follow your care as an outpatient for your disability related needs. In addition to a Physiatrist you will need to have an internist or general practioner once you are home.
Nurses have many different titles and responsiblities. These individuals will provide the care you need 24 hours a day including helping you get dressed, managing your hygiene needs, eating and so forth. Your nurse will be responsible for teaching you and those people you choose about changes in your body function and how to mange those changes as it relates to your disability. Also, your nurse deals with your discharge planning including arragning for home services and ordering equipment and medical supples that are needed for a safe discharge to the community.
One of the focuses for your PT is to evalute your current abilities and to develop an individualized treatment program aimed at making you as mobile as possible. You and your PT will work on strengthening the muscles that work and finding ways for you to make up for the muscles that do not. This includes using a wheelchair and/or walking with or without equipment. In addition your PT will teach you and anyone you choose how to perform all mobility skills and exercises. If needed your PT will assist you in selecting and ordering any equipment for discharge.
Like PT's the OT's primary goal is to evaluate your current abilities and to develop an individualized treatment plan aimed at achieving your goals. In OT you and your therapist will focus on activities of daily living or ADL's. ADL's are activites necessary to go on with your everyday life such as dressing, grooming, and feeding. The OT will evaluate your ability to perform these skills and if necessary look for alternate ways to accomplish these tasks. In addition you and your therapist will explore issues related to your ability, if possible, to return to work or school.
There are three main areas that speech therapist focuses on. One area of focus is to evaluate and treat swallowing problems. Another area of focus is to work with you to regain or enhance your ability to speak. The last area of focus is to work with you if you are experiencing problems with memory, problem solving, confusion or disorientation. As alway teaching is an important component of treatment.
There primary focus is to assist you and those around you who are affected by your disability adjust to the life changes. The Psychologist will help you adjust to your hospitalization, disability and its impact on all aspects of your life. The pyschologist will meet with you on a regular basis and are available to meet with your family and friends.
The social worker's primary focus will be to educate you about, and assist in applying for community resources such as transporation, home care and financial entitlements. Social worker's also assist in coordinating information between you, your family, doctors, and theapists. Social worker's are also available to provide counseling to you to assist with adjustment issues related to your disability.
These therapists are available to assist you in identifying and exploring issues that must be considered in your return to school or work. They can meet with your employer or school to find ways for you to return to your former situation.
These therapists provide information about leisure activities. This may include finding new ways to pursue old interests or helping you identify new areas of interest. While you are an impatient the recreational therapists provide individual and group activities both within and outside the hospital. Some of these activites include horseback riding, gardening, bowling, art/music, and trips to theaters, and sporting events
