Rehabilitation
is a philosophy of practice and an attitude toward caring for people with disabilities and chronic health problems
disabling health condition
is any physical or mental health/behavioral health problem that can cause disability.
chronic health condition
is one that has existed for at least 3 months.
purpose of rehabilitation
to prevent further disability, maintain function, and restore individuals to optimal functioning in their community.
common chronic diseases that can result in varying degrees of disability
Stroke, coronary artery disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and arthritis
results from advanced technology that save people from accidents:
often faced with chronic, disabling neurologic conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI)
common veteran health problems
TBI, single or multiple limb amputations, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS
seeks to maximize the function of the individual impacted by the injury or chronic condition
HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS examples
acute inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF), skilled nursing facility (SNF), long-term acute care (LTAC) facility, or home health agency (HHA)
PAC level (best health care organization)
based on the individual’s biopsychosocial and ecological assessment
must be matched to the patients’ needs.
Rehab for older adults
rehabilitation services for the first 100 days of inpatient care are paid by Medicare A.
Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs)
are part of either a hospital or long-term care (nursing home) setting
Rehabilitation care continuum.
The intensity of services decreases across the continuum from the inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) or skilled nursing facility (SNF) to home health to comprehensive ambulatory care (outpatient) programs.
resident
implies that the person lives in the facility and has all the rights of anyone living in his or her home.
Home for older adults is often:
in senior citizens’ housing units, their family’s home, or assisted-living facilities.
Group homes
are facilities in which individuals live independently together with other people with disabilities.
Alternative living settings include:
a board-and-care facility or transitional living apartment.
The desired outcome of rehabilitation
is that the patient will return to the best possible physical, mental, social, vocational, and economic capacity.
It also includes education and therapy for any chronic conditions characterized by a change in a body system function or body structure
health care team in the rehabilitation setting may include:
Rehabilitation nurses in the inpatient setting:
coordinate the collaborative plan of care and therefore function as the patient’s case manager.
rehabilitation milieu
Advanced practice nurses (APNs)
are masters- and doctorate-prepared nurses who function independently or under the supervision of a physician, depending on the rules and regulations of the state or province.
Nurse’s Role in the Rehabilitation Team
nursing assistants or nursing technicians
assist in the physical care of patients