There are many reasons that a person would need the services of an Inpatient Rehabilitation (rehab). Those reasons may include recovering from a stroke, knee/hip/other joint replacement, recovering from a fall, and the list could go on. When the need for an Inpatient Rehab stay does occur there are many people that help in the recovery process. Some of the key players to helping a patient have a successful experience in rehab include:
- The Nurse: Nurses working in inpatient rehab play a crucial role in overseeing treatment and ensuring all patients receive the highest standard of care. The nurse works with the team to determine the best care for each individual patient. Their duties include administering medications and injections, taking blood, and preparing and inserting IV lines if needed. They monitor each individual resident’s health and progress by evaluating vital signs and assessing other indications of physical and mental well-being. The nurse makes sure that patients receive continuous care during shift changes. The nurse also works with the family to understand what they can do to contribute to the recovery of their loved one.
- The Therapist: The therapist can be a physical, speech, occupational or respiratory therapist. The goal of these therapists is to help residents recover and rehabilitate from the effects of a serious illness, injury or medical event, to regain their own best possible level of functional ability, well-being and independence. For example, physical therapy may be used to help a patient:
- improve the strength and function of limbs weakened by stroke, restoring more efficient movement,
- help strengthen and improve flexibility in joints,
- aid patients in restoring mobility and/or improving balance and gait after hip fractures and other orthopedic injuries, or
- recover from joint replacement procedures.
The biggest goal of therapy at inpatient rehab is to help the patient gain the functionality and independence to go home.
- The Social Worker: The social worker is one of the first people a patient will meet upon admission to inpatient rehab. He or she will conduct a state assessment that makes the team better able to provide person-centered care. An initial family meeting will be scheduled by the social worker that includes the patient, family and staff to discuss and establish roles, provide clarity of Medicare guidelines, address any concerns and to begin discharge planning. The social worker is the person a patient or family member reaches out to if there is a concern or a grievance. The social worker also provides counseling and active listening for each resident and family when appropriate. The social worker takes on the role of discharge planner when the patient is close to being able to go home. He or she will ensure the patient is set up with a home health agency to follow them home or outpatient therapy if these services are needed. He or she will also order all necessary medical equipment recommended by the therapy team for the patient. Assistance in transitioning residents to different areas of living at PineCrest, home or arranging a transition to another community is a responsibility of the social worker. In short, the social worker is an advocate for the patient.
- Your Family: The family of the patient also plays a key role in the inpatient rehab stay. The family is the support system, the motivators, the cheerleaders! They encourage the patient as well as remind them to do as the medical professionals are asking them to do for a positive recovery experience. The team at PineCrest communicates with the family on recommended therapy and care. The family becomes an even more crucial part of the recovery process when the patient is discharged to go home.
- You –The Patient: You, the patient, are the most crucial player in the rehab experience. You will receive an individualized plan of care that is tailored to your specific needs. So, you will need to be prepared to work hard and receive tips on how to improve and speed up the recovery process. Communication with your therapist is key to a successful recovery; therefore, you are encouraged to let us know how we can improve our treatments with you. One of the most important things to remember is to have a positive attitude. A positive attitude and motivation to improve will help you to achieve your goals.
These are not the only players in a successful rehab experience. Others include Nurse Assistants (CNA), Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN), dining services members, the nutritionist, the cooks, housekeeping, your physician and many more.
The goal of PineCrest Transitional Rehab is to help you go home with the ability to have as much independence as possible. Give Victoria Hutto, PineCrest Outreach Liaison, a call today at 936-633-1142 to see how PineCrest Transitional Rehab can aid in recovery for yourself or your loved one.
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