
Lake Charles Memorial will custom design your physical and occupational
therapy team to meet your individual needs. This is
your rehabilitation team and the following describes the role each member plays
in your recovery.
The rehabilitation physician is a Physiatrist. A Physiatrist is a medical
doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatrists
are trained in impairment assessment, medical complications of impairment
and rehabilitation team management. The Physiatrist monitors your health,
evaluates your physical capabilities and leads the team of nurses and
therapists in making and carrying out your individualized treatment program.
The Rehabilitation Nurses are with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The
nursing staff helps you with the various activities of daily living. They
administer medications and treatments, teach you and your family about
your capabilities, and help you use the skills you have learned in therapy.
The Physical Therapist assesses your movement ability and evaluates your
condition and potential. Based upon these results, the physical therapist
will design a treatment program to restore and maximize your movement
and function. Special exercises will help you restore movement by improving
the quality of your muscle tone, coordination, balance strength, endurance
and joint flexibility. These efforts are directed at improving your mobility,
which may range from wheelchair skills to walking.
The Occupational Therapist assists you in regained the skills and changes
required for you to be independent, productive and satisfied at home,
in the workplace or in the community. The exercises and activities you
learn will focus on reducing or overcoming your impairments. These may
be as basic as dressing, bathing and eating, or as complex as operating
a computer or caring for your family.
The Speech-Language Pathologist works to improve your independence with
communication skills and effectiveness in getting a message across or
listening to others. This may involve working to improve your voice, speech,
language, thinking skills reading or conversational skills. It may require
teaching you how to use gestures or computers to obtain your basic skills.
Another role of the speech-language pathologist is to help you if you
have difficulty with swallowing or swallow safety.
The Social Worker works with you, your family and community agencies to
help solve problems that come with changes in your abilities and your
need for medical care. This may include providing information, making
referrals or arranging for continuing care. The social worker also counsels
individuals, couples, families and groups. Your assigned social worker
or family counselor helps guide you through the hospital experience from
admission to discharge. Your assigned social worker or family counselor
will serve as your advocate during your stay.
The Clinical Neuropsychologist helps you understand and adjust to your
impairment. Depending upon the extent of your impairment, the psychologist
will assess your mood and cognitive ability. The neuropsychologist also
provides computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation for those who may
benefit by increasing attention, memory and problem solving skills. In
addition, coping-skills training such as biofeedback, stress management
and pain control may be offered. The neuropsychology department provides
tailored treatment for those persons requiring behavior management and
family education. Individual supportive therapy, group and family therapies
are also available.
The Rehabilitation Case Manager reviews the inpatient rehabilitation initial
screening prior to your admission to the rehabilitation center. This will
assure that your transition into the program is done in an organized manner.
The rehab case manager serves as a hub to provide effective communication
with insurance providers, patients and family members.
The Chaplain provides pastoral care and counseling to help you and your
family deal with the spiritual impact of your condition. Contact your
nurse to request a visit from the Chaplain.
The Respiratory Therapist uses advance diagnostic and therapeutic equipment
to thoroughly assess and treat your ability to breathe. The Respiratory
Therapist tailors a specific rehabilitation program to fit your needs.
The Registered Dietitian assures that your nutritional needs are met by
creating an individualized diet based upon your food preferences, your
physical abilities and any dietetic restrictions prescribed by your physician.
The Prosthetist/Orthodist fabricates, fits and repairs adaptive devices
such as artificial limbs (prostheses) and orthopedic braces (orthoses).
The Audiologist identifies hearing problems and appropriate correction.
The Audiologist deals with difficulties in both the volume and clarity
of sound and may recommend assistive devices or hearing aids.
The Vocational Specialist may assist you with obtaining services to improve
your employability after your rehabilitation center stay.
Contact us today
Inpatient Rehabilitation (337) 494-2663
Outpatient Rehabilitation (337) 494-2556