What is rehabilitation? | The Rehabilitation Program | Types of Rehabilitation

What is Rehabilitation?

ehabilitation 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

Types of Rehabilitation .

• Physical Therapy – it works to improve movement dysfunction. Therapists work with patients to restore movement, strength, stability and/or functional ability and reduce pain via targeted exercise and a range of other treatment methods.

• Occupational Therapy – This form of therapy focuses on restoring an individual's ability to perform necessary daily activities. This may mean working to improve fine motor skills, restore balance, or assist patients in learning how to increase their functional ability via use of adaptive equipment, among other potential treatment options.

• Speech Therapy – it is used to address difficulties with speech, communication and/or swallowing.

• Respiratory Therapy – Used to aid patients who have breathing disorders or difficulties, this form of rehabilitation therapy works to help them decrease respiratory distress, maintain open airways and, when necessary, learn how to use inhalers and supplemental oxygen properly

• Cognitive Rehabilitation – Also commonly called cognitive-behavior rehabilitation, this type of therapy works with patients to improve memory, thinking and reasoning skills.

• Vocational RehabilitatioN – This type is geared towards preparing individuals to return to work after an injury, illness, or medical event.

Each type of rehabilitation therapy can be accessed in various healthcare settings. These include inpatient rehabilitation facilities, outpatient rehabilitation clinics and home-based rehabilitation services.