Rehabilitation

What is Rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation is the services needed by people who have lost the ability to function normally often caused by trauma, a stroke, an infection or a progressive disorder (i.e. arthritis). Treatment normally involves continued sessions of one on one training for weeks.

Definition of Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is exercise and other therapies designed to help you return to your normal activities after an illness or injury.

Settings

Rehabilitation can take place in a number of situations depending on the client’s needs. A person recovering from an injury may be treated in their own home or gym, or a therapist’s office. People with severe disabilities need care in a hospital or in/out patients rehabilitation centre.

Care at home can be appropriate for people who can transfer from bed to chair or chair to toilet (e.g. Hip replacement surgery). However, a family member will need to assist the rehabilitation at home, this is highly desirable. The down side is that it can be emotionally taxing and physically demanding for those involved.

Goals

Rehabilitation, short and long term goals, should be set for each of the client’s problems.

Short term goals are set to provide an immediate, achievable target (e.g. Torn hamstring).

Long term goals are set to help people understand what they can expect from rehabilitation and where they may expect to be in 8 months (e.g. Walk again).

Goals may change from time to time if a person becomes unwilling or unable to continue or if they progress more slowly or quickly than expected.

Did you know?

 After a major disorder, injury or surgical intervention, you must follow the recommended rehabilitation program if you want to recover as fully as possible. (Brisbane Herald)

Regardless of the severity of the disability or the skill of the rehabilitation team, the final outcome of rehabilitation depends on the person’s motivation. Do not delay recovery by seeking attention from family members or friends.