Short Term Rehabilitation
Ridgeview Health Services offers post-acute services to those residents who no longer require an in-patient hospital stay but who are not ready to go home. Our rehabilitation professionals offer physical therapy, cheap occupational therapy and speech therapy. We will help the resident rebuild their strength, doctor function and mobility needed for a successful return home.
Physical Therapy….Promoting Mobility
Physical Therapists concentrate on improving strength, mobility, balance, coordination, endurance, and pain management. They teach patients skilled techniques to improve abilities for walking, climbing stairs, and increasing physical stamina. This training may include the use of ambulation devices such as crutches, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and other equipment.
Physical Therapists also assess the need for specialized braces or other apparatuses that may be required to improve self-reliance or improve safety. Treatment modalities used by a Physical Therapist include hot and cold application, muscular stimulation, therapeutic exercise, ultrasound, hydro-therapy, and other techniques to ease pain and treat wounds, including pressure sores. They consult with physicians about care planning, progress reports, and changes in treatment protocols.
This type of therapy provides intervention for problems associated with stroke, hip fractures, head injuries, arthritis, and pneumonia. Physical Therapists hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees from accredited schools of Physical Therapy.
Occupational Therapy…Promoting Independent Living Activities
Occupational Therapists retrain patients in self care skills like feeding, dressing, bathing, and grooming. They use graded activities, safety training, and other compensatory techniques to improve activities of daily living. Occupational Therapists are specialists in recommending adaptive equipment and other environmental changes to help the patient function safely. They also use splints and positioning devices to correct deformities and increase function. Pain management is also part of occupational therapy treatment programs. Occupational Therapists instruct patients in ways to reduce pain, conserve energy, and increase endurance.
The Planning goals of an Occupational Therapist are to improve motor, sensory, and perceptual and cognitive abilities. Occupational Therapists are especially sensitive to the stress and frustration often felt by patients and their families. They can assist patients and family members in how to cope with difficult situations. For patients who are returning home, an Occupational Therapist may provide and evaluation of the home environment and make recommendations to improve the patient’s transition.
Occupational Therapists hold bachelor degrees from accredited schools of Occupational Therapy and are certified by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Speech-Language Pathology: Restoring Communication and Swallowing
Speech-Language Pathologists assist patients with all aspects of communication. In the nursing facility, the primary focus for the Speech-Language Pathologist is to return the patient to the highest potential of communication for his or her environment.
Treatment strategies involve teaching compensatory techniques to improve swallowing, speaking, listening, reading and writing comprehension, language interpretation, and expression skills. These strategies can help a patient improve their ability to receive and process information as it relates to activities of daily living. In addition, Speech-Language Pathologists work with patients who are experiencing swallowing difficulties. The Speech-Language Pathologist can also provide consultation to patients who experience frustration in their ability to express themselves and when appropriate, make recommendations for augmentative and alternative communication systems.