Physiatrist -- an M.D. specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation who is the doctor in charge of your medical care during your stay on the unit. Your physiatrist communicates regularly with you and your family regarding your medical needs, monitors your progress and participates in weekly meetings with the rest of the rehab team.
Neuropsychologist/Program Coordinator -- evaluates and treats cognitive, behavorial, emotional and interpersonal difficulties arising from an injury to the brain. The neuropsychologist works closely with all team members to coordinate treatment, conduct family education meetings, and establish recommendations for further treatment following discharge.
Rehabilitation Nurse -- will evaluate and monitor your health status daily; provide education on your disability, various medications and rehabilitation therapLes; participate in family meetings and help to prepare you for discharge
Physical Therapist -- will work with you to improve your strength, balance and coordination. This may be accomplished through exercise programs to increase range of motion, balance and coordination activities, pain management, walking, climbing stairs and navigating other obstacles to movement, and learning how to use a wheelchair. Your physical therapist will also provide you with an assessment of what equipment or assistive devices would benefit you.
Occupational
Therapist -- will help you regain independence with activities of daily
living, including dressing, grooming, bathing and eating skills; homemaking
with the use of assistive devices in our simulated home setting; work/vocational
skills/leisure activities. Your occupational therapist will also instruct you
on injury prevention and safety issues and help you with difficulties with
memory, problem solving and concentration that you may be having as a result
of your injury.
Speech and Language Pathologist -- will assess, diagnose and treat a variety ot swallowing, speech and communication disorders you may be experiencing. Your speech and language pathologist will help you to speak clearly and fluently, understand and remember spoken and written language, spell words, and be able to express your thoughts both verbally and in writing. This may be accomplished in both individual and group treatment settings. Your speech therapist also evaluates how your cognitive processes, like attention, memory, organization, reasoning and problem solving, have been affected and then provides the appropriate treatment.
Theraputic Recreation Specialist -- will provide you with recreational and leisure activities according to your individual needs to enhance the physical, cognitive and communication skills you are working on with your other therapists, as well as provide opportunities for you to socialize with other patients during the day, in the evenings and on weekends.
Social Worker
-- will help you and your family adjust to your rehabilitation program and
deal with feelings of depression, anxiety, frustration and other emotions that
are common following
a brain injury.
Your social worker will support you in developing realistic goals, expectations
and coping strategies through individual, group and family psychotherapy.
Dietitian -- will assess your individual nutritional needs, adjust your diet to your preferences and counsel you on dietary choices.
Case Manager -- coordinates your care and discharge planning with the rest of the rehab team to ensure that your treatment program meets your individual needs. Your case manager will also participate in family meetings and provide useful information on available community resources to enable you to make informed decisions regarding your treatment following discharge.