Senior Resources South Central

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tice skills they’ve learned in therapy during routine activi- ties such as bathing, dressing, eating and personal hygiene. 5. Has an actual kitchen to prac- tice skills. For those with higher independent skills, they can simulate cooking and laun- dry tasks. For instance, when preparing a meal, they can practice placement of a walker when reaching into a cupboard or an oven. 6. Offer home assessments. Therapists help patients and families prepare to manage care at home. During rehabilitation, there are 3 different therapies available for a patient: physical, occupational and speech. Through speech therapy, cognition and swallowing are areas of focus. The ability to communi- cate allows a person to say what a person needs, even if they can’t physically do it. Most people appreciate the importance of mobility, such as the ability to walk; which is part of physical therapy. However, what prevents most people from going home with the assistance of a caregiver is the Occupational therapy focuses on getting someone to return to the previous level of function in daily living such as: bathing, dressing, and grooming. An advanced level of therapy includes restoring the ability to shop, cook and clean. Maplewood in Sauk City, WI, is a proven leader in rehabilitation. All three therapies are available to help restore a patient’s previous level of independence. patient’s ability to complete his/her own toilet hygiene.

H OW TO C HOOSE A P OST H OSPITAL R EHABILITATION C ENTER bilitation success using quantifiable data. From admission to discharge, ther- apists will be able to show the amount of progress patients make through reha- bilitation and how many patients have been treated for a specific condition. 2. An array of different equip- ment. To properly train the brain and body, it is benefi- cial to have a variety of approaches. Utilizing dif- ferent equipment each day helps a person strengthen different parts of the body for overall improvement. 3. Consistency & longevity of staff. Low turnover means that the staff is not starting over each day, trying to learn what the patient needs. It is a seamless transition that builds on the patient’s progress toward being able to care for his/herself. Experienced therapists are a deep resource of skills and knowledge. 4. Nursing and therapy staff that work together. It’s a natural flow of care when therapists and care-takers work together. Everyone is on the same page, which allows the nursing staff to encourage patients to prac-

he impact for recovery and future quality of life is defined by the Skilled Nursing Facility you select for post hospital rehabilita- tion. The right rehabilitation team is a critical component to your tran- sition back home. For those with orthopedic injuries, joint replacement, stroke and neu- rological conditions, cardiac-related challenges, wound care, oncology care, pulmonary impairment and diabetes management, choosing the right rehabilitation team is the best way home after a hospital stay. The role of a Skilled Nursing home, SNH, has significantly changed. In the past, care was primarily pro- vided for chronically ill or disabled seniors. Today, the role of a SNH has expanded to include a rehabili- tation center – which once was the hospital’s responsibility. meaningful lifestyle boils down to the rehab team. Just as a parent would interview candidates to find the best daycare for their child, it is important to tour rehab facilities to find the right fit. Undoubtedly, cleanliness and safety are relevant criteria; however, rehabilitation goes beyond aesthetics. When selecting a skilled nursing facility with rehabilitation services, ask the Administrator, Director of Nursing or Social Services Liaison specifics about rehabilitation out- comes. Find a SNH that has: Maximizing recovery and having a chance of returning home to a

1. Strong track record for reha-

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F or information on S enior S ervices in Wisconsin, visit our website www.seniorresourcesonline.com