Everything You Need to Know about Rehab Therapy

You may have the sweetest patient in the world, a nice elderly woman that looks like she could not get angry if she tried.  However, bring up physical therapy following a broken bone, and that sweet patient can become your worst enemy.  

Seniors and Physical Therapy

You have to see things from an older person’s perspective, they are older, and it was most likely a fall that created their injury in the first place.  Follow that up by asking them to do exercises that hurt, and seem pointless to them, and you have the makings for a cantankerous patient.  One way to help may be to offer encouragement without sounding demanding.  In most cases the doctor will order physical therapy for the patient, and then of course it falls on you, as the nurse to encourage the patient to be cooperative.  In these situations, baby steps may be the best approach.  Ask your patient to attempt to do the recommended exercises for just a few minutes, and try to increase that time a little each day.  Most people that require physical therapy have the promise of getting better, yet for a senior citizen that may not be quite the rosy outcome, and they know it 

 

Uncooperative Patients

Many patients simply do not want to be instructed how to recuperate from surgery or an injury.  This may mean that there is some opposition when a physical therapy plan is implemented.   Reminding patients that the correct form of rehabilitation is important and aimed specifically at their individual needs.  Patients may also need to be reminded most insurance carriers will not continue to pay for treatment unless a certain physical rehab plan is being followed. 

 

Common Forms of Physical Therapy

• Stroke patients often need physical therapy to regain the proper use of their body that was impacted by the stroke.  Many stroke patients may have limited use of arms, legs, and speech, however, with proper therapy, most functions can be restored
• Heart attack patients need physical therapy to learn how to exercise at a safe pace.  Too much strenuous exercise could be dangerous, and not enough exercise can result in yet another heart attack.  Most hospitals have programs designed for cardiac patients, that have a nurse and physical therapist on site.
• Joint replacement requires physical therapy.  It generally starts the day following surgery in the hospital, and continues to take place in the patient's home.  It often involves learning to walk normally again, and while uncomfortable at first, the pain generally subsides each day, resulting in a full recovery.
• Following an accident,  a patient may require extensive physical therapy.  This can involve multiple forms of therapy, including speech, vision, and learning therapies in addition to physical therapy.  Some accident victims spend years, requiring physical therapy, which can be exhausting, but necessary for their recovery. 

Related: Working in Women’s Care as a Nurse

 

Children and Physical Therapy

Kids are resilient, and generally much easier to convince they need to be active.  Physical therapy with children usually involve games, balls, bikes, fun things to keep the child's interest.  Most children excel with physical therapy, and complete their course of treatment in advance of their planned completion date.  Children with certain conditions, such as cerebral palsy may need ongoing physical therapy throughout their life. 

Physical therapists are trained to notice areas that need to be addressed with their patient.  A physical therapist may ask a patient to walk, and note if one side is favored. This helps determine the best course of therapy for the patient.  A physical therapist may incorporate devices such as exercise equipment, walking, and swimming.  Each exercise is geared toward helping the patient to make improvements physically. 

A physical therapy program should be designed specifically for the that particular patient.  There should be a noticeable improvement on a regular basis, and if not the patient's insurer will reject the payment.  As a nurse, some responsibility will land on you to encourage participation from the patient, so plan to be somewhat assertive in letting the patient know what is expected of them.  

Related: Respected Registered Nurse Tanya Aktar, RN, BScN, will be Spotlighted in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare

Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest  and Twitter