What is rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation is a process that requires the cooperation of physicians with different specialties, in order to restore the patient’s skills and help the patient’s family to adapt and help them cope with the consequences of their condition. The main idea for rehabilitation needs to be a rational approach to the improvements that can be achieved.

The family

The family is an integral part for rehabilitation. The stress and pressure put on the family is significant, because the outcome, the duration of recovery, and the severity of the condition are all uncertain. However, there are special programs and centers that can help the patient suffering from traumatic brain injury along with their family.
Family members need to learn to walk like a marathon runner. When the risk to the patient’s life is over, a return to a daily routine is encouraged so that family activities are maintained to the best extent possible, and used for the benefit of the patient throughout recovery.

Family and friends need to be well informed in order to cope with the problem and help the patient. There are many sources of information, including the treating physician, the nursing staff, and rehabilitation centers. Information contributes to a better understanding of this condition. Understanding is essential to making the right decisions, in order to offer the best possible care to the patient.

At the hospital

Rehabilitation begins in the hospital, with the team treating the trauma patient as an acute case (neurosurgeon, nursing staff, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, social workers). Once the patient’s condition is stable, the patient can then be transferred to a rehabilitation center, where psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation specialists continue to coordinate the rehabilitation effort.

After getting discharged from the hospital

After getting discharged from the hospital If specialized nursing care is needed, then a special infrastructure may be needed. The level of care and intensification of rehabilitation is based on the patient’s level of functionality, recovery progress, return, and availability. We should keep in mind that rehabilitation does not cause recovery, but offers the possibility for the patient to recover.