What is Rehabilitation?

Helping you return to moving, working, and enjoying life!

Rehabilitation is the process of helping an individual achieve the highest level of function, independence, and quality of life possible. Rehabilitation does not reverse or undo the damage caused by disease or trauma, but rather helps restore the individual to optimal health, functioning, and well-being.

The rehabilitation program

Rehabilitation medicine is designed to meet each person's specific needs; therefore, each program is different. Some general treatment components for rehabilitation programs include the following:

  • Treating the basic disease and preventing complications
  • Treating the disability and improving function
  • Providing adaptive tools and altering the environment
  • Teaching the patient and family and helping them adapt to lifestyle changes

The success of rehabilitation depends on many variables, including the following:

  • The nature and severity of the disease, disorder, or injury
  • The type and degree of any resulting impairments and disabilities
  • The overall health of the patient
  • Family support

Areas covered in rehabilitation programs include:

Patient need
Self-care skills, including activities of daily living (ADLs)
Rehabilitation Services
Feeding, grooming, bathing, dressing, toileting, and sexual function
Physical care
Nutritional needs, medication, and skin care
Family support
Assistance with adapting to lifestyle changes, financial concerns, and discharge planning 
Psychological counseling
Identifying problems and solutions with thinking, behavioral, and emotional issues 
Pain management
Medications and alternative methods of managing pain 
Vocational training
Work-related skills
Socialization skills
Interacting with others at home and within the community 
Cognitive skills
Memory, concentration, judgment, problem solving, and organizational skills 
Communication skills
Speech, writing, and alternative methods of communication 
Respiratory care
Ventilator care, if needed; breathing treatments and exercises to promote lung function 
Mobility skills
Walking, transfers, and self-propelling a wheelchair 
Education
Patient and family education and training about the condition, medical care, and adaptive techniques 

Continue Watching

Check-up: Feeding Difficulties in Children (Melanie Beukema, speech and language pathologist)

If you notice that your child is losing weight or having trouble gaining weight, it may be time to seek out the assistance of a speech and language pathologist or occupational therapist.

Apr 03, 2023
Corewell Health - We Can

What can we do together? Can we beat the unbeatable? Can we achieve the unthinkable? Can we reach our health goals? And accomplish even more along the way? Can we live healthier, fuller, happier lives? With Corewell Health, we can.

Feb 16, 2023
Double knee replacement: Orlando Valera "Spectrum Health Lakeland delivers good medicine"

Orlando Valera had double knee replacement surgery with Jeffrey Postma, DO.

Jul 07, 2022
Developmental milestones for children (Amanda Trail, PT)

Pediatric physical therapist Amanda Trail talks about developmental milestones for gross motor skills in your new baby.

Oct 12, 2020
Check-Up: Michael O'Hearn – Running Injuries

Physical therapist, Michael O'Hearn shares information on how to avoid common running injuries.

Aug 06, 2020
Physician Video Profile: Sean Sullivan, DO (Inpatient Rehabilitation)

St. Joseph native Sean Sullivan, DO is the medical director at Lakeland Hospital Watervliet inpatient rehabilitation. Dr. Sullivan works with physical, speech, and occupational therapists to help patients regain mobility and function.

Dec 20, 2019
Inpatient Rehabilitation: Timothy Buchana "Making Every Second Count"

After suffering a severe brain hemorrhage, Timothy turned to Lakeland Hospital Watervliet for inpatient rehabilitation.

Sep 19, 2019
Cranial Therapy: Evelyn Zak "A Lesson in Acceptance"

After a flat spot began to develop on baby Evelyn's head, the Zak family turned to Mary Free Bed Orthotics and Prosthetics at Spectrum Health Lakeland.

Jun 25, 2019
Inpatient Rehabilitation: Mike Wilson "A New Normal"

After suffering a stroke, Mike Wilson spent the next month participating in an extensive inpatient rehabilitation program at Lakeland Hospital Watervliet to help him return to his normal functions.

May 13, 2019
Check-Up: Michael O'Hearn - A Pain in the Back

Physical therapist, Michael O'Hearn shares when to seek medical help for back pain.

Mar 08, 2019

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