Rehabilitation is a program that helps a
person who is recovering from illness or injury to regain as much function as
possible. The aim is for clients to become as independent as possible despite
his/her disabilities. Rehabilitation also aims to teach strategies for ongoing
disabilities.
The Rehabilitation Team consists of a number of professionals who are trained
in different areas of rehabilitation. You may need to see some or all of these
people. They include:
The Physiotherapist assesses and manages your
mobility (including use of walking aids if required), improves balance and
assists with regaining strength and control of your arm(s), leg(s) and
body.
The Occupational Therapist aims to help you to
become as independent as possible in all daily occupations including
eating, showering & dressing, cooking, shopping, driving, leisure
activities, work and hand and upper limb function.
The Podiatrist manages any problems to do
with your feet. This may include making orthotics and nail care.
The Social Worker offers clients and their
families support during a time of change as well as liaising with other
services, assisting with paperwork and financial matters.
The Speech Pathologist is concerned with any
problems relating to understanding language and speaking, as well as
reading and writing, memory and thinking and social skills. The speech
pathologist also assesses and manages problems with eating and drinking.
The Rehabilitation Nurse provides cardiac
assessments and support, health monitoring and education as required and
will liase with your doctor where appropriate.
The Dietitian addresses any nutritional needs of
the client including the management of diabetes, cholesterol, and weight
loss or weight gain. The dietitian plays an important role in education
about these issues.
The Rehabilitation Consultant is a doctor who
specialises in rehabilitation. Initially, you may see the consultant whose
role it is to assess and identify the issues to assist with planning your
rehabilitation.
