Acute care therapy involves occupational, physical and speech therapy services working together in collaboration with doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, dietitians and care managers to develop patient-specific care plans that promote patient safety, progress patient performance and assist in developing an optimal plan for post hospitalization discharge planning.
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy focuses on improving daily functional activities by addressing physical difficulties using arms (decreased strength, decreases active movement, decreased fine motor and gross motor coordination, impaired sensation), difficulties with visions and changes in thinking skills. Occupational therapy services include:
- Getting dressed
- Bathing
- Grooming and personal hygiene
- Using the bathroom
- Use of call light, telephone and TV
Physical therapy
Physical therapy focuses on improving functional mobility by addressing physical difficulties using legs (decreased strength, decreased active movement, decreased gross motor coordination, impaired sensation) as well as decreased sitting and standing balance. Physical therapy services include:
- Getting in and out of bed
- Walking
- Going up and down stairs
- Balance
- Training with equipment such as a cane, walker or wheelchair
Speech therapy
Speech therapy focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication and swallowing difficulties. Speech therapy involves:
- Evaluating and managing acute and chronic swallowing disorders
- Evaluating and treating language disorders and assisting in developing and utilizing communication systems
- Helping patients with cognitive change (acute or chronic) to ensure safety with memory, problem solving, attention and executive functioning while in the hospital