Rehabilitative Center Treatment – Traumatic Brain Injury

The familiesof traumatic brain injury (TBI) victims often have many questions when their loved one is transferred to a rehabilitative care center.

What happens in rehabilitation?Similar tothe acute care facility, the TBI patient will be cared for by a team of professionals who specialize in the care of trauma victims.

Their goals are to:

Each day, the patient will participate in therapy. Initially, the patient may require staff assistance for even the most simple activities: brushing teeth, getting out of bed and eating. The patient also may require staff for safety because there is a risk of falling, eloping (trying to get out of the hospital to go home) or getting hurt. The patientmay be confused and forgetful.

The Rehabilitation Team

The Physiatrist is the team leader in the rehabilitation program. The physiatrist is a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatrists treat a wide range of problems, including the changes after brain injury. The physiatristwill assess and prescribe the treatment and direct the team.

The Neuropsychologist is a key member of the rehabilitation team. The neuropsychologistwill assess the patients changesin thinking and behavior. Changes couldinclude:

Many patients areunaware of the changes in the brain and how those changesaffect their daily lives. A patient may not understand what has happened andmay bedistraughtby being away from home. Through education and counseling, the neuropsychologist can help assure the patient and the patientsfamily.

The Rehabilitation Nurse assists patients with brain injury and chronic illness in attaining maximum optimal health, and adapting to an altered lifestyle. The Rehabilitation Nurse provides care for the patient on the nursing unit. The focus of nursing care is on:

The Physical Therapistworks with people with orthopedic problems, such as low back pain, knee injuries or pain reduction. With traumatic brain injury, thePTsjob is to minimize or overcome paralyzing effects related to the brain injury.Physical therapistsare experts in the examination and treatment of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular problems that affectthe abilities to move and function indaily life.

Physical therapists help with transfers to and from the bed whena patientcannot walk alone. They train a person to begin to walk and move more normally. PTs will assess:

The Occupational Therapist assesses functions and potential complications related to the movement of upper extremities, daily living skills, cognition, vision and perception.OTS help determine, with the patient, the best ways to perform daily living skills including showering, dressing and personal hygiene.The OT willidentify equipment for eating, dressing and bathing.

The OT also will look at skills to prepare the patient for a return to the home. These skillsinclude:

The following sections explain:

Treatments for Traumatic Brain Injury HomepageInitial TreatmentRehabilitative Center TreatmentAcute TreatmentSurgical TreatmentSupportive Care ConcernsRecovery

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Rehabilitative Center Treatment - Traumatic Brain Injury