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

Make Rehab Work for You With rehab, like most things in life, you get what you put into it. Get back to doing the things you love with these tips from GMC for having a successful rehabilitation experience. 1) Be prepared. “Coming to your appointments on time and wearing the appropriate clothing is essential to progressing as rapidly as possible,” says Melanie Hoover, o.T., manager of outpatient rehabilitation services at Gwinnett SportsRehab. 2) Work hard. “if you put in half the effort, you’re going to get half the results,” Hoover 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,” Hoover 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.” online Be prepared for your first physical therapy appointment. Visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/sportsrehab, then click “Gwinnett SportsRehab FAQs.” You can also click “Gwinnett SportsRehab Team” to learn about the therapists who will treat you. Prepare for Your First P.T. Appointment 26 Vim & Vigor • SP r i n g 2 012 http://www.gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/sportsrehab

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

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center
Contents
Phil’s Feature
The Philanthropist Next Door
Special Delivery
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
PrimeTime Health
Reclaiming Form and Function
Nice Follow-Through
Out of the White Coat
SPECIAL: Transforming Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center