The Rehabilitation Team



 

Clinical Psychologists
Assess and treat the psychological well-being of the disabled person, an important factor in their long-term recovery.  Rehabilitation psychologists develop specialized programs to guide patients in learning and reasoning, behavior modification and psycho-emotional adaptation and support

Occupational Therapists
Assist patients in regaining their self-care abilities such as eating, grooming, bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and home-making.  Treatment may involve the use of special equipment and devices to gain independence.

Physical Therapists
Work with patients to improve strength, balance, coordination, endurance, and mobility.  Treatments may include transfer training, wheelchair mobility, exercises, climbing stairs, and walking.  The physical therapist obtains equipment and trains the patient and family as needed to ensure good continuity of care following discharge.

Recreational Therapists
Provide treatment interventions designed to increase the level of the
patient's functioning and to prepare patients and families for discharge
with recommendations for aftercare, adaptive equipment, and community
integration to help maintain and continue improvement in functional
abilities and independence in life activities.

Rehabilitation Nurses
Provide direct patient care 24-hours a day.  The nurse works closely with the patient and the rehabilitation team to implement treatments and to evaluate the patient’s response to care provided.  Primary responsibilities include: assisting with activities of daily living, safety, nutrition, skin integrity, elimination and medication management, counseling, and providing patient and family education.

Speech-Language Pathologists
Address the patient’s ability to communicate effectively, and may also assess the patient’s ability to think, plan activities, and solve everyday problems.  Speech-Language Pathologists also evaluate the patient’s swallowing ability. 

Clinical Care Mangement
A social worker serves as a primary source of support for patients and families, and
helps them with emotional, social, community, or financial concerns, which can also impact treatment and recovery. A nurse reviews patient's length of stay and use of clinical resources. The social worker and nurse collaborate to arrange continuing care services needed upon discharge, and serve as the patient's liaison with community agencies.