Frequently Asked Questions
When can my family visit? Family members may visit with patients during the following hours:
Monday – Friday 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday 10:00 am until 8:00 pm
Family members are encouraged to schedule days to come in and work with the therapist and patient on the training they will need when they return home.
What is my therapy schedule? Patients typically have therapy for three-four hours a d ay during the week, an hour on Saturday, and sometimes on Sunday. Patients are seen for an hour and a half each for physical therapy and occupational therapy. Recreation therapy and speech therapy is thirty minutes to an hour daily.
What is the difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy? In physical therapy, patients with spinal cord injuries will have an exercise program designed to improve their strength, balance, and ability to move. Physical therapists will perform range of motion exercises to prevent their muscles and joints from becoming stiff and develop an exercise program to strengthen the muscles that do work. They will educate the patients on rolling techniques for bed mobility, transferring from the bed to wheelchair, and ways to change their position without losing their balance. A physical therapist will teach patients how to use a wheelchair. The therapist will instruct the patient on walking aides and/or other equipment and devices when appropriate. The patients’ physical therapist will also assist in the selection of equipment and home modifications.
In occupational therapy, patients with spinal cord injuries re-learn activities of daily living, such as feeding, dressing, bathing, toileting, and home management. Patients learn the techniques, with appropriate assistance to transfer to the toilet and the tub or shower. Patients are given instructions to use adaptive techniques required for feeding, dressing, bathing, and toileting, as necessary. Patients are educated about how to use techniques to achieve the optimum positioning and how to use the most appropriate equipment to make their activities of daily living successful while increasing independence. Activities such as a home exercise program may be performed to help increase the patient’s strength and coordination. An occupational therapist also may suggest special equipment or other changes that need to be made in the home.