Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Parrish Medical Center - (Page 26)

Make Rehab Work for You Like most things in life, you get out what you put into it. Our expert offers a few tips for having a successful rehabilitation experience, so you can get back to doing the things you love. 1) Get your head in the game. “Leave your work and personal issues at home, and focus on the task at hand,” says Michelle H. Cameron, M.D., P.T., author of several rehabilitation therapy textbooks. 2) Be prepared to work. “If you put in half the effort, you’re going to get half the results,” Dr. Cameron says. “Your recovery will take longer and be more difficult in the long run.” 3) Do your home program. “Your therapist sees you just a couple of hours a week,” Dr. Cameron says. “It’s what you do in between that will make you really successful.” getting around easier, or teach them how to use adaptive equipment, such as wheelchairs or modified tools and utensils,” Cameron says. They can also offer guidance to family members on how and when to help. The focus is on helping patients adjust to their “new normal,” so to speak—finding new ways to achieve normal tasks. Sessions usually take place at home, work or in the community so patients can get hands-on practice navigating their environment, Micheo says. “The goal is to get them comfortable living independently and feeling capable doing day-to-day activities on their own after the therapy has ended,” he explains. cardiac rehabiliTaTion Who Needs It: Individuals suffering from speech, language and swallowing difficulties caused by a surgery; injury; disease; defect, such as cleft palate; developmental delay; or a traumatic event, such as stroke. hoW It helps: Patients strengthen the muscles of the mouth, throat and vocal cords to communicate more effectively. What to expect: A speech therapist will first identify your unique needs, strengths and weaknesses using a series of questions and tests. Speech therapy can be challenging, intense work, but it can also be a lot of fun. Don’t take yourself too seriously, and be prepared to get a little silly, Micheo says. “Speech therapy often involves a lot of throat, mouth and tongue exercises that can evoke a smile from even the most serious person,” he says. “It’s not uncommon for patients to sing or even laugh during speech therapy, and that’s a good thing.” Speech Therapy Who Needs It: Individuals who have heart disease, usually recovering from a heart attack or surgery. hoW It helps: Patients stabilize and recover from a cardiac event or surgery and, through diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and counseling, learn to slow or reverse the progression of heart disease. What to expect: “Cardiac rehab is a comprehensive type of rehab that may include a combination of one-on-one nutrition counseling, smoking-cessation classes and physical activity,” Micheo says. It’s an all-angles approach that really works: Studies show that patients recovering from heart attacks who attend cardiac rehabilitation have lower mortality rates than patients who didn’t go through rehabilitation. “If you want to live life fully, go to cardiac rehab,” Micheo says. “It could save your life.” Go, Go, Go Still looking at rehabilitation with a long face? Chin up. “Most rehabilitation therapists are kind, compassionate, empathetic and likable individuals,” Cameron says. “Despite how you may feel going into it, most patients actually feel a little disappointed when their sessions are over.” To put any anxiety to rest, don’t be afraid to ask questions or visit the facility before your first session, Micheo says. “It will put your mind at ease and answer all the ‘whatifs’ you may have. And you’ll probably be inspired by the progress you see in others in similar situations.” “Rehabilitation is not something you want to ‘opt out’ of,” Cameron adds. “It’s a critical step in your journey toward becoming the healthiest you possible.” CALL Request your physical, occupational or speech therapy at Parrish Medical Center or Parrish Healthcare Center at Port St. John. Warm-water therapy is done at Parrish Health & Fitness Center. Call 321-268-6181 for an appointment. Make Your Therapy Appointment 26 Vim & Vigor • SP r i n g 2 012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Parrish Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Parrish Medical Center
Contents
Tasty Tips
Opening Thoughts
Community Calendar
In the Business of Healing People
What's New?
Get Real
How Far We’ve Come
Patient Survival Guide
Perfect Attendance
A New Day
Lean on Me
Intimidated by the Gym?
What Is Your Volunteer Style?
A Prescription for Relief
Community Health
Joe Knows Stress
SPECIAL: Caring for the Littlest Bones and Joints
Foundation Focus
Ask the Expert

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Parrish Medical Center