How Medical Rehabilitation Improves Quality of Life

Have you ever tried to research medical rehabilitation services for yourself or a loved one? If so, you may have come across a decent amount of overlapping terminology. This medical jargon can make it tricky to identify a given rehabilitative program's scope of services. The confusion is partially a result of linguistic realities we can't control ("rehab" also being a universal shorthand for substance misuse treatment programs) and partially a result of how many different types of rehabilitative services fall under the giant umbrella of medical rehabilitation.

Key Points:

• Understanding medical rehabilitation options can help determine treatment decisions.
• Medical rehabilitative services exist to help patients regain independence after illness or injury.
• Integrated therapies can have a synergistic effect on treatment and enhance quality of life.

The Integrated Approach to Medical Rehabilitation Services

At Moreland-Hughes on the campus of the Ohio Eastern Star Home, medical rehabilitation frequently involves a multi-faceted treatment plan.

To do this, OESH partners with the physical, occupational, and speech therapists at Functional Pathways. These therapists work in tandem with our nurses and caregivers to ensure a cohesive treatment plan. Together, our campus care teams work hard to achieve the positive outcomes our guests need in order to return home to their daily lives.

Physical, occupational, and speech therapy services can (and often do) work in conjunction to improve a patient's quality of life. With skilled staff collaborating to approach patient recovery so holistically and some incredible functional outcome measures to back up their work, it's little wonder that MHRS has garnered such a sterling reputation in the medical rehabilitative services sector.

For instance, a a patient may work with a physical therapist to improve their ability to stand. After that, this same patient might work with an occupational therapist to learn how to use assistive devices for daily tasks, like getting dressed or navigating their home.

Occupational therapy (OT), Physical therapy (PT), and Speech Therapy (ST) are each crucial rehabilitative services. Each is a therapeutic profession that requires an advanced degree and board certification. While OT, PT, and ST each exist to improve a patient's quality of life and functional ability, they all focus on different aspects of recovery in order to do so.

Physical Therapy (PT)

Physical therapy targets restoring and enhancing physical mobility, strength, and balance. You may hear this term used as a catch-all for all sorts of medical rehabilitation, but PT is specifically designed to support recovery by facilitating improved bodily movement, control, range of motion, etc.  

Occupational Therapy (OT)

Despite the name, OT supports a wider breadth of activities than those required for re-entering the labor force. Beyond any relevant workplace tasks, occupational therapists help individuals engage in daily activities or "occupations" that are meaningful to their lives.

Occupational therapy may be done through outpatient rehabilitation services or on an in-patient basis, for those in need of continuous care and/or higher support levels.  

Speech Therapy (ST)

Speech therapy services are an integral part of the rehabilitative process, particularly for seniors recovering from neurological conditions.

While a speech therapist will target both speech and hearing issues, they can also often help patients with swallowing therapy. This need presents commonly in patients who are recovering from a stroke or injury. Swallowing therapy actually represents a not-insubstantial facet of the scope of speech therapy services.

A skilled speech therapist will know when to integrate PT and OT into a patient's routine, based on the progress of that patient's speech therapy journey. This is another example of why choosing the right medical rehabilitation team is so critical for optimal recovery.

Rehabilitative Services on the OESH Campus

Due to the variety of available treatment paths we offer, positive word of mouth, our integrated approach, and some truly impressive functional outcome measures, our campus enjoys a well-deserved reputation for excellence in rehabilitative therapy. We're proud that residents, their guests, and the greater Knox County community see our campus as an accessible resource for medical rehab.

Inpatient vs Outpatient Rehabilitation Services

The teams at OESH, Moreland-Hughes, and Functional Pathways believe in delivering a personally tailored medical rehabilitation treatment plan for every one of the rehab warriors who come to us for help. That's why we provide both inpatient and outpatient therapy through our rehabilitation services at The Ohio Eastern Star Home.

Our dedicated care members empower individuals to achieve their goals, improve their quality of life, and fortify an overall sense of wellbeing. So, whether you're weighing inpatient rehabilitation services or want to learn more about our outpatient treatment program, we look forward to supporting your journey.

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