DEFINITION

Rehabilitation means the restoration of ones physical, mental, social, vocational and economic capacity to the fullest extent to which one is capable.

CONCEPT OF REHABILITATION
Rehabilitation is a dynamic, health oriented process that assists an ill or disabled individual to achieve the greatest possible level of physical,mental,spiritual ,social and economic functioning. Rehabilitation process helps the person to achieve an acceptable quality of life with dignity, self respect and independence. Rehabilitation programs are designed for individuals with physical ,mental and emotional disabilities.

 Rehabilitation is an integral part of nursing . Rehabilitation efforts should begin during the initial contact with the patient.
The emphasis of rehabilitation is to restore the patient to independence or to the preillness or pre-injury level of function in as short a time as possible.

AIMS Prevent further impairment.

Maintain existing abilities. Restore as much function as possible.

REHABILITATION TEAM

1. Case Manager
He or She serves as the primary contact for the patient and family. His or her role on the team is to direct the patient's rehabilitation and coordinate with everyone involved in the patient's care. The case manager also provides ongoing communication with the patient, family, attending and consulting physicians, referral sources and insurance companies.

2. Physiatrist
He is the main medical doctor on the rehabilitation team. The physiatrist assesses patients at admission to rehabilitation and directs the patient's medical care, monitoring the course of rehabilitation to help the patient attain optimal function. The physiatrist makes contact with all patients daily and meets with families as needed during the rehabilitation stay

3. Nurses
They provide the patient with 24-hour-a-day nursing care. Our nurses have specialized training in rehabilitation and provide the patient's daily medical care, support and education. They encourage patients to use techniques learned in therapy. Rehabilitation nurses encourage patients to do as much of their own care as functionally possible, since the goal is to teach independence and challenge each patient to achieve their maximum potential.

4. Neuropsychologists
They are clinical psychologists who specialize in studying brain behavior relationships. Neuropsychologists have extensive training in the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the nervous system. Their role on the rehabilitation treatment team is to address psychological needs and concerns, helping patients and families adjust to changes in their life. They offer assessment, treatment, and consultation and education.

5. Physical Therapists
They provide assessments, treatment and therapy programs to help patients gain greater mobility, muscle strength and performance, and joint motion and balance. They also work with patients to improve their ability to perform daily activities. Treatment often includes walking, transfers (moving from bed to chair, for example), balance, therapeutic exercise, and cardiovascular endurance training. They recommend and provide training on any assistive devices to improve mobility.

6. Occupational Therapists
They work with patients to regain, develop, and build skills that are important for independent functioning, health, well-being and security. Treatment focuses on helping individuals regain greater independence with activities for daily living(ADLs). Your occupational therapists may use a variety of activities and tools to improve your strength, movements and motor skills.

7. Speech Therapists (also referred to as SpeechLanguage Pathologists). They evaluate speech and language, memory, problem-solving, hearing and swallowing skills in order to develop a treatment plan for improving problems related to a patient's injury or illness. Treatment may focus on expressive language (talking, naming, and writing), receptive language (understanding and reading), swallowing, and/or diet recommendations.

8. The social worker He/She helps the client and the family move from a situation of anxiety, and dependency to one of increased confidence, hope, and autonomy.

THE REHABILITATION PROCESS

1. Rehabilitation can be identified as a whole process of managing disability, with the aim to enable individuals, their families and care givers to adjust and cope with their change in circumstances.

2. It must be based on on-going assessment, planning and evaluation and involve partnership between the individual, their social network and the health and social care team. 3. At our network of rehabilitation centers, the rehabilitation process is different for every patient.

4. Rehabilitation programs are individualized, catering to each person's unique needs. 5. The person with an injury or disability and his or her family should are always the most important members of the treatment team. 6. Cultural, religious, social and economic backgrounds are also taken into consideration when planning a person's rehabilitation program.

7. The goal of our rehabilitation team is to

help people regain the most independent level of functioning possible. 8. Rehabilitation channels the body's natural healing abilities and the brain's relearning processes so an individual may recover as quickly and efficiently as possible.

9. Rehabilitation also involves learning new ways to compensate for abilities that have permanently changed. 10. In order to receive the greatest benefit from a rehabilitation programme, it is imperative that nurse perceive rehabilitation as a process that begins when a patient first suffers acute disease or trauma.

TYPES OF REHABILITATION
1. Physical rehabilitation
2. Psychosocial rehabilitation 3. Vocational rehabilitation

PHYSICAL REHABILITATION This sort of rehabilitation is used for patients who have suffered from bone and muscle injuries, patient with stroke etc. This injury can happen due to accidents, sports, etc. A lot of treatment and technology is available in physical rehabilitation. The recovery time differs from person to person.

PHYSICAL REHABILITATION CONSISTS OF: A physical therapist (physiotherapy) can teach you exercises and physical activities that will help you: strengthen your muscles improve movement in your joints maintain or improve your flexibility, balance and coordination, and Manage pain.

 An occupational therapist (occupational therapy) can help you learn to manage your daily activities and make adjustments in your home or work place to take into account any physical changes you are experiencing. This could include: suggesting changes in your living space to accommodate any physical limitations you have. helping you learn to use a walker if you need one, and Suggesting ways of organizing your days to conserve your energy.

 A speech-language pathologist (speech therapy) can help you with issues affecting speech, communication and swallowing. An audiologist can help you deal with hearing loss by fitting you with a hearing aid or helping you to find ways to communicate well despite your hearing loss.

 A physiatrist is a doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. A physiatrist can: Help you regain movement or physical functioning you have lost, and Treat chronic pain. Some people with HIV also find that complementary or alternative therapies are helpful. These include:

acupuncture (pressure -certain points) massage therapy homeopathy naturopathy aromatherapy (inhalation of plant oils) chiropractic treatments (dealt with NMS & involves Manual therapy) yoga, meditation.

PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION

Psychosocial rehabilitation, and

usually simplified to psych rehab, is the process of restoration of community

functioning and well-being of an individual

who has a psychiatric disability (been

diagnosed with a mental disorder).

Psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists and mental health counselors can help

They can: provide therapy or counseling . suggest strategies and techniques to relieve anxiety and stress. connect you with peer support groups, and Prescribe medication, if necessary (psychiatrists only). Social supports such as friends, family, cultural and other community organizations can also provide both emotional and practical support.

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
A process that enables people with functional, psychological, developmental, cognitive and emotional impairments or health conditions to overcome barriers to accessing, maintaining or returning to employment or other useful occupation.

 The focus of Vocational Rehabilitation is to help people retain or regain the ability to participate in work, rather than to treat any illness or injury

itself.
However, it is now well recognized that, as well

as providing economic benefits, engagement in

work or other meaningful and valued activity has

health benefits for the individual, and can aid

recovery from physical or mental health problems.

 Vocational rehabilitation programs provide: training and employment counseling. job search and interview skills. counseling about income support, health and disability benefits. information about your legal rights.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE REHABILITATION STAFF NURSE The nurse should have specialized knowledge and clinical skills. Coordinates educational activities and uses appropriate resources in patients care. Performs hands-on nursing care by utilizing the nursing process. Provides direction and supervision of ancillary nursing personnel.

 Coordinates nursing care activities in collaboration with other members of the rehabilitation team. She should have effective oral and written communication skills. Acts as a resource and a role model for nursing staff and students. Applies nursing research to clinical practice and participates in nursing research studies.

 She should have good understanding about the psychological effect of long term illness. The nurse must know the interrelatedness of psychosocial and economic problems. She should have patience. She must encourage the patient and praise him. The nurse will encourage progress from simple to complex procedure.

ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE REHABILITATION STAFF NURSE

TEACHER
Major role is patient and family teaching.
Shares information about the disease processes and develops the self-care skills. Prepares clients and their families for future selfmanagement and decision-making responsibilities.

 Reinforces the teaching done by specialists in rehabilitation and other healthcare disciplines and provides resource materials for clients changing needs. Provides in-service education for healthcare team members and members of the community regarding the prevention of disabilities.

CAREGIVER
Assesses the physical, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual dimensions of clients and their families, as well as their educational and discharge needs in order to formulate nursing diagnoses. Plans nursing care it includes the integration of objective data from the patients history and physical examination. Based on this plan, the patient care while considering all areas like physical, psychological, social and environmental spheres of patients life.

 Implements a plan of care by providing nursing care and education directly or by assistance. Evaluates the nursing care.

COLLABORATOR

Develops goals, in collaboration with clients, their families, and the rehabilitation team. Participates in the interdisciplinary team process. The nurse should have open channels of communication with other departments.

CLIENT ADVOCATE

Actively listens, reflects, and guides clients and

their families.

Advocates for policies and services that promote

the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and participates in activities that will positively influence the communitys awareness of disabilities.

 Contributes to a safe and therapeutic environment

and supports activities that promote the clients

return of function and prevent complications or

chronic illness.

The nurse will need to help both the patients and

family to visualize a new life.