Category: rehabilitation

For most of us as we grow older we grow wiser. However, it is also true that as we grow older our bodies, through the natural aging process, begin to feel the effects of aging. Some of those effects include the loss of hearing and vision, arthritis, wrinkles, heart conditions, etc. Unfortunately, the list goes on and on of possible aging ailments.

To assist us in coping with these ailments there are various medical facilities that are available. One particular option is the care that can be received from a rehabilitation clinic.

A senior s rehabilitation clinic is staffed by medical technicians and professionals whose purpose is to provide various types of therapy designed to meet the needs of the elderly population. Those physical and mental needs are often demonstrated when a medical condition has adversely affected the health of a senior. Three specific therapies that can be provided at a senior s rehabilitation clinic are occupational therapy, speech language pathology and physical therapy.

Occupational Therapy

A quality occupational therapy regimen consists of those programs which aid the senior in moving on with their life and empowering them to carry out their daily activities. Occupational therapists, who practice at a well-run rehabilitation clinic, will visit the various environments of the senior. The purpose of these visits will allow the therapist to understand the living and working environment of the client. This evaluation will allow the occupational therapist to develop a patient specific therapeutic program.

Specifics of this therapy at a senior rehabilitation clinic can include retraining in areas such as personal hygiene, motor movements, vision challenges, eating, etc. Occupational therapy programs are specifically designed to aid seniors who have been afflicted with medical ailments such as arthritis, dementia, stroke, hip or knee replacements, heart conditions etc.

Speech Therapy

Another therapy, that is generally available at a senior s rehabilitation clinic, is speech therapy. This rehabilitation is associated with the disruption of an individual s ability to speak. Also, included in this therapy can be a focus on disorders that affect the swallowing mechanism.

Three specific ailments that are addressed through an intensive speech therapy program concern those who have suffered from the debilitating effects of a stroke, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.

Physical Therapy

Another essential therapeutic program that a senior rehabilitation clinic may offer is physical therapy. A senior physical therapy course of action is a discipline that aids seniors in performing their physical activities. Following an injury, such as a fracture, a physical therapy program will help to restore the physical strength, flexibility and coordination of the client. In addition, physical therapy will help to improve the balance and endurance of an individual who has suffered from an illness. Two such conditions that would lessen the endurance of an individual would be a heart attack or a stroke.

Also, a physical therapy program, offered by a rehabilitation clinic, may provide an inspection of the residence of the senior. The inspection will allow for the therapist to provide suggestions on enhancing the home environment. These suggestions will be offered to make the dwelling safer and optimize the client s movement within the home.

Drug addiction is a condition wherein people compulsively use psychoactive drugs up to a point where they can no longer choose any other option than to continue using the drugs.

Since treating drug addiction on your own can be difficult because of the condition s complexity, a drug rehabilitation center can help identify the problem and provide an effective treatments and approaches in helping the patients to withdraw and be drug-free for good.

When drug addicts become uncontrollable, drug rehabilitation centers help the patient to put an end to the use of drugs and maintain a healthy lifestyle, while learning a productive way of functioning at work, in the family and within the society.

Drug rehabilitation centers are not only designed for patients with drug-related problems. These rehabilitation centers also provide medical, psychological and physical assistance to people with alcohol drinking problems, suicidal tendencies, criminal offenses and behavioral problems.

When choosing a rehabilitation center, you have to determine if you want an inpatient, residential or outpatient set-up. You also need to choose if you need or want to stay long-term or short-term for all your medical needs.

Things to Consider in Choosing Rehabilitation Center

Since efficiency of a particular drug rehab program relies greatly on the services and programs offered by a rehabilitation center, it is important that you choose the center that could meet all your needs, whether physical, mental, psychological or social needs.

Upon the arrival in a certain rehabilitation center, the patient is examined and asked certain information such as age, insurance options, kinds of drugs used and history of criminal offenses, if there are any. You should also provide information such as patient s support and history of drug treatment as well as psychological and behavioral problems associated with the drug problem.

After the initial examination and interview, you need to determine the services available and approaches used by the rehabilitation center. Ask about the different medications, supplementations and other natural treatments used in a particular program.

Be aware that the more services offered by a rehabilitation center, the better outcome you can expect. Ask about the patient-to-counselor ratio to determine whether the patient will be supervised by a professional everyday.

Ask the rehabilitation center about treatments, such as how they handle withdrawal symptoms and assess infectious diseases like hepatitis. Determine the duration of the program you have chosen and if the families will be allowed to get involved throughout the treatment program.

Since the lives of the patient are at stake, finding the most affordable rehabilitation center may not be the best choice. Remember that each program should be able to provide long lasting results for the patients lives.