Rehabilitation Team

The Rehabilitation Specialist/Geriatrician has the responsibility of monitoring and evaluating your medical and rehabilitation care. The Rehabilitation Specialist/Geriatrician will liaise with your Surgeon or Physician, GP and other Specialists to ensure effective continuity of medical care.

The Physiotherapists will assist you in improving your balance, strength, movement, flexibility, endurance, mobility and reviewing any mobility equipment if required. The Physiotherapists will design a home exercise program.

Occupational Therapists will assist you in increasing your functional ability with activities of daily living. Occupational Therapists can also assist you with the prescription of equipment to help you maintain your independence and increase your safety within the home.

Occupational Therapy can assist with:

• balance and endurance therapy
• falls prevention and everyday activities
• leisure activities and past hobbies
• "getting organised" activities

The Allied Health Assistant coordinates, supervises and assists with individual and group therapy sessions.

If your medical condition has contributed to swallowing and/or communication difficulties, you may be referred to a Speech Pathologist for assessment and management of your swallowing and/or communication function.

If you experience unintentional weight loss or if your medical condition requires diet therapy you may be referred to the Dietitian who can assist with:

• assessing your nutritional requirements
• advise you about healthy food options
• provide cooking demonstrations

If you require information about home help/community services, or longer term assistance, you may be referred to a Social Worker for assessment, planning and referral. The Social Worker can assist with:

• patient planning for every day activity needs on discharge
• helping patients and families adjust to issues around disability, loss and lifestyle changes
• coordinate appropriate community services

Psychologists work with you to develop strategies to cope with a broad range of problems.

Psychologists working in a health setting specialise in helping you to understand the interaction between physical, psychological and behavioural factors, which can impact on your health, illness and recovery.

Psychologists teach skills and strategies to aid in mood management. They can also assist with pain management. This includes goal-setting, building self-confidence and self-esteem, as well as helping you to learn effective stress management techniques to promote well-being.

Through supportive counselling and empathic reflection, Psychologists are often able to assist in dealing with grief and loss issues that can arise following illness or injury

Your Nurses will encourage and assist you to achieve your optimal level of independence by providing suitable and enjoyable activities. They will help coordinate your program and attend to any nursing requirements. They will encourage and assist you to achieve your optimal level of independence whilst maintaining safety. They will monitor your general health and continually liaise with your therapists to ensure continuity of your rehabilitation care. They provide 24-hour care and supervision and will help you with daily ward activities.

If you become ill or require prescriptions, discuss this with your GP. The Rehabilitation Team must be informed about any changes in your medical condition and/or medications as this may impact your rehabilitation program.

The Rehabilitation Team meets regularly to monitor your progress and review your goals. You are an important member of the team and will be encouraged to participate in all aspects of your program, whether this be as an inpatient or day program patient.