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Rehabilitation
Our Team

You and Your Family
You and your family are at the top of our list! YOU are deemed the most important members of this team and are active participants in the rehabilitation program. At the time of admission to the Rehab Unit, you will be asked to share your goals for your rehab experience. In cooperation with the Rehabilitation Team, goals will be set to help you become as independent as possible. You are expected to participate in your program to the best of your ability, which includes attending all scheduled therapies and carefully following the recommendations of your physician and therapists. Your family members will participate in various ways by helping to set goals, observing and participating in therapies, attending specific educational programs, attending team conferences (if indicated), participating in a home evaluation (if indicated), and actively taking part in your care after you are discharged. Other requirements may be necessary based on your specific needs.

Physiatrist
A Physiatrist is a doctor specializing in Rehabilitation Medicine. He/she will direct the team to help improve your functional abilities. The physiatrist:

• Makes sure you receive the medical care you need
• Manages your pain.
• Oversees your medications.
• Directs your rehabilitation program.
• Monitors your progress.
• Orders any special equipment you might need.
• Communicates with other physicians who are involved in your care.

Your family physician or surgeon may continue to see you during your stay on the Rehabilitation Unit. The physiatrist interacts with other physicians involved in your care on an ongoing basis.

Rehabilitation Nursing
Upon admission, patients work with a registered rehabilitation nurse to plan and coordinate care from admission to discharge. The nursing staff assist patients with medications, self-care and to reinforce what has been learned in therapy. The nursing staff consists of RN's, LPN's and Certified Nursing Assistants who assist in patient care. We have nurses certified specifically in rehabilitation.

Neuropsychologist
The Neuropsychologist specializes in the areas of brain-behavior relationships, psychological aspects of medical diseases including visual spatial organization, social and emotional adjustment, building self-esteem, personal relationships, and emotional well-being. In addition, for those patients who have sustained a brain injury the Neuropsychologist may conduct specialized testing to help identify problems and recommend treatment. Emotional adjustment to a disability can be difficult for both patients and their families. Your Neuropsychologist is available to you and your family to provide education and counseling specific to your injury and unique challenges.

Physical Therapist & Physical Therapy Aide (PT)
The goal of physical therapy is to promote mobility. Physical therapists carefully evaluate their patients and implement individual treatment programs with assistance from Physical Therapy Aides to help optimize movement, flexibility, and muscle control, build strength and endurance, and improve balance. The Physical Therapist will determine equipment needs and follow-up therapy services upon discharge, as well as provide a home therapy program.

Occupational Therapist (OT)
An occupational therapist helps patients to regain their highest level of independence with daily activities such as bathing, grooming, dressing eating, household activities (e.g., cooking, money management, and doing laundry). The OT also evaluates and treats cognitive difficulties or thinking abilities such as orientation, attention, memory, problem-solving, sequencing, organization, etc. The OT also evaluates visual issues affecting the ability to complete activities of daily living.

Speech Pathologist
A Speech Pathologist evaluates and treats problems patients may experience associated with understanding and using language, reading and writing. They also work with motor speech disorders, fluency and phonation issues as they relate to brain injury. He/she will also evaluate and treat swallowing function and make recommendations for the safest food textures and liquid consistencies, if indicated. Speech Pathologists also, similar to Occupational Therapy, evaluate and treat disorders of Cognition or thinking skills such as orientation, attention, memory, problem-solving, sequencing, organization, etc.

Recreation Therapist
A Recreation Therapist gives patients the opportunity to pursue leisure and recreation activities while in Rehab. Saint Al's licensed recreation therapists help patients return to independent leisure and community lifestyle after discharge by helping patients learn new ways to do the activities they enjoyed before. Recreational therapists also introduce patients to new activities they might enjoy doing. Individual and group activities are provided to improve social skills, self-confidence, community living skills, and acceptance of illness and disability. Recreation therapists provide patients with aquatic therapy if appropriate during their rehabilitation stay.

Social Worker/Case Manager
The social worker will provide patients and family members with supportive counseling regarding coping with impairments and provide brain injury education to you. He/she also works with you on discharge planning options and community and financial resource identification. As your case manager, the social worker will help to co-ordinate patient care and facilitate communication between the patient's physiatrist and therapy team. The social worker co-ordinates and facilitates a brain injury support group that meets in the 4th floor conference room in the Rehabilitation unit on Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Patients and families are always welcome and encouraged to attend.

Neurological Case Manager
Your admission to the program was coordinated by the Neurological Case Manager. The Neurological Case Manager coordinates your rehabilitation program, ensures that you receive quality care, and is there for you if you have any questions or concerns about your rehabilitation program.

Chaplaincy Services
A chaplain will assess and respond to patient spiritual needs, as well as those of the family. The chaplain is an active part of the rehabilitation team and will support spiritual concerns regardless of denomination. Your own pastor/chaplain is welcome to visit any time. A chapel is located on the fourth floor of the hospital at the end of the Rehab unit.

Dietician
Because good nutrition is important in gaining strength to meet a rigorous program of rehabilitation and recovery, SARMC's Dietician and Nutritional Services focus on the preparation of appetizing, well balanced meals. Our staff works with patients and families in meeting nutritional and dietary educational needs. A restaurant style menu and/or "Cuisine-on-Call" are provided for patients. Meals and snacks are available to family members in the cafeteria on the second floor of the hospital. There is also a coffee bar on the first floor near the main entrance. If family would like to bring in special food for patients, meal by meal is preferred, if approved by the nursing staff. There are refrigerators and microwaves available for patient and family use on the Rehab unit. If food is in larger quantities, it must be taken directly to the refrigerator. Dishes must be labeled with the patient's name and dated. Food cannot be put in the refrigerator if it has been in the patient's room previously. Food also cannot be left in the refrigerator longer than three days.

Others
In addition to the treatment team members listed above, others involved in your care might include your employer if work reentry is your goal or school personnel if return to school is your goal. Sometimes we include in our team the people who sent you to us (e.g., your prior rehab team, doctors, payers, etc.). We also like to include any people who will be helping you after discharge (e.g., the Outpatient Brain Injury Program at STARS, Home Health, Vocational Rehabilitation, etc.). It is possible that these individuals will come to our weekly team conferences to hear about your progress or to better understand the challenges you face. These same people may be invited to attend any family or discharge conference that is held on your behalf. If direct attendance is not possible, they will, with your permission, be informed of your progress and needs as you progress through the continuum.

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