The Geriatric Rehabilitation Department at Medical Care Hospital aims to help patients regain their pre-illness function, and even improve upon it. This department treats patients after medical events such as falls, fractures, strokes of varying degrees, and conditions following long hospitalizations or prolonged bed rest due to acute illness or surgery. The team focuses on quickly identifying any decline in functional and cognitive abilities, treating it comprehensively and effectively.
Each patient in the Geriatric Rehabilitation Department receives a tailored rehabilitation treatment plan based on their individual needs. The rehabilitation program is continuously updated to ensure an efficient and beneficial recovery process. Upon discharge, the department assesses and defines achievements, progress stages, the patient’s functional level, and the goals derived from it, allowing for a seamless transition to the next phase of care.
A person whose functional ability has drastically declined following an event—whether medical, psychological, or physical—loses their independence and becomes dependent on others for care.
The impact is not only physical but also involves significant emotional challenges, which can lead to personal and family crises at any age, especially in older adults. For this reason, the geriatric rehabilitation process is of utmost importance in helping patients improve both their physical and emotional well-being. Emotional rehabilitation enables them to mobilize and direct their inner strength towards recovery and coping with difficulties across all aspects of life and health.
From experience, we know that elderly patients require more support and assistance, as they often face complex issues and symptoms. They may struggle with weakened senses (especially hearing and vision), frequently take multiple medications, have difficulty accessing or consuming appropriate nutrition, and are often exhausted by bureaucracy. They arrive in a state of exhaustion, which makes it challenging for them to rehabilitate. Cognitive decline may also contribute to a lack of motivation to recover. This complexity is our specialty. We assess patients, learn about them and their capabilities, and tailor the right treatment for them, emphasizing therapeutic harmony among all specialties so that everyone works together to support rather than hinder, in a coordinated and synchronized manner.
At Medical Care, we dedicate significant attention and therapeutic time to raising patients’ motivation to recover, finding renewed purpose, and reigniting a zest for life. From our experience, there is a direct link between our ability to emotionally rehabilitate the patient and the success of the physical rehabilitation process.
Accordingly, cooperation between us and the patients’ families is critical for accurately planning personalized care, identifying areas of weakness and strength, and aligning messages to motivate the patients, give them a sense of belonging, and reinforce the anchor of family support.
The care in the department is multi-disciplinary and integrated, including medical, nursing, and rehabilitative treatments, along with emotional therapies that provide tools for coping and recovery. Patients receive nutritional counseling, psychological support, and guidance from social workers specializing in elderly care.
Additional treatments as part of the rehabilitation process include:
There is also the option to incorporate complementary rehabilitative medicine therapies (available at a special rate for patients and their families) that support the full potential of rehabilitation:
Geriatric rehabilitation refers to a specialized medical field focused on comprehensive care and treatment for the elderly. As people age, they may face various health challenges, including reduced mobility, decreased strength, and chronic conditions. The primary goal of geriatric rehabilitation is to enhance functional ability and overall well-being in older adults, allowing them to maintain as much independence as possible.
This field employs a multidisciplinary approach, leveraging the expertise of various healthcare professionals to create personalized rehabilitation programs. Services often include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and psychological support, among others. By addressing the unique needs of the aging population, geriatric rehabilitation plays a crucial role in managing age-related issues, preventing further decline, and even reversing some aging-related impairments.
The Geriatric Rehabilitation Department offers a wide range of treatments tailored to the unique needs of elderly patients. In geriatric rehabilitation, treatments focus on enhancing functions, improving quality of life, and restoring independence. Some examples of available treatments include:
Physical Exercise: Customized movement and physical activity exercises to strengthen muscles, improve mobility, balance, and concentration.
Medication Management: Monitoring medications and optimizing care for chronic illnesses, environmental factors, and mental health conditions.
Clinical Nutrition: Specialized clinical nutritionists assess dietary needs and create meal plans to meet the specific nutritional requirements of elderly patients.
Cognitive and Communication Training: Exercises and training to improve memory, focus, and general cognitive function for enhanced communication skills and mental clarity.
Medication Review and Optimization: Analyzing and refining medication plans to avoid unwanted side effects and ensure that treatment aligns with the patient’s primary health needs.
The Geriatric Rehabilitation Department offers several benefits for elderly patients. When undergoing treatment in this department, they can expect to achieve the following goals:
Improved Functioning: The department works with elderly patients to enhance physical and daily functions, such as mobility, movement, concentration, memory, and more.
Enhanced Quality of Life: The department addresses both mental and physical health issues, promoting the quality of life for elderly patients through professional treatments and support.
Increased Independence: The department helps seniors strengthen their independence, enabling them to resume certain daily activities, such as walking, self-bathing, and independent eating.
Relief for Families: The department provides support and guidance for families, helping them understand and assist with their loved one’s rehabilitation process.
