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What is rehabilitation? |
What
is rehabilitation?
Promoting someone's
independence and assisting his or her participation in activities
is often described as rehabilitation.
“Rehabilitation
enables someone to become as independent as they possibly can…
The goal is for the individual to return to their previous abilities
and activities and way of life as much as possible.” Belinda
Shepherd (Occupational Therapist) Getting It All Together (2000)
If a support
worker begins working with a client directly after their
discharge from hospital, they will probably come into contact with
the health professionals working with the same client. It
is important for support workers and health professionals
to work closely together, to help the client achieve their own independence goals.
Members
of the rehabilitation team
There
are a variety of people who work on the rehabilitation team, each
member
of the team has a particular specialty. The members of the team are:
- Case
Managers:
They are
frequently the primary contact person, with whom individuals can
raise
issues, express concerns and ask for extra information. The case
manager will develop and oversee a person’s rehabilitation
plan. They will often meet with support workers prior to an attendant
care program
being introduced.
- Occupational
Therapists:
Look at how people are functioning in their everyday life at home,
work and/or in the community. Occupational therapists will look
at
how this may have changed for a person after a traumatic brain injury
and then suggests new ways to do things or modified equipment to
help
a person be independent in that activity.
- Social
Workers: Can
assist people deal with the emotional and social results of
a traumatic
brain injury. This can include assisting clients and their families
adjusting to changes in their lifestyle, relationships, work
and leisure
activities. This assistance can be in the form of counselling, support,
and advice on other services and agencies.
- Physiotherapists:
Help maximise
physical functioning after a traumatic brain injury. They can assess
and treat posture, movement, muscle strength, coordination and fitness.
They also provide advice on splints and walking aids.
- Speech
Pathologists: Assist people with communication
problems. This includes assessment and treatment of how a
person understands
speech, expresses themselves, and their reading and writing skills.
They can also look at improving the way a person communicates
with
others socially and advise on swallowing and hearing difficulties.
- Psychiatrist/
Psychologists: Treat
psychological and emotional problems. They can assist a person
come
to terms with their injury or better manage their temper. They can
also provide feedback to families and friends about managing
a person’s
behaviour.
- Neuropsychologists:
Can
assess the impact that a traumatic brain injury has had on a person’s
cognitive process eg memory and thinking. They can explain what
problems
these changes in thinking may cause, and may offer ideas on how to
manage these changes.
- Recreation
Officers: Can assist you to identify potential
leisure and recreation pursuits. They may also provide you
and your family
with details of appropriate community resources in relation to sport,
leisure options, respite and community living.
-
Rehabilitation specialists (Doctors):
Monitor
medical issues following a person’s injury. They usually work
with an individual while they are in the hospital and then review
them after discharge in outpatient clinics.
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