Treatment Teams

The rehabilitation team employs a transdisciplinary approach to therapy that addresses the medical, physical, cognitive, neuropsychological and family needs of the patient. Well-grounded in each others' disciplines, therapists help the patient set and reach practical, patient-focused goals, making the most of each course of treatment.

An individualized therapy schedule is tailored to meet each patient's needs.

Occupational Therapist

The occupational therapist plans individual programs to help each patient reach maximum independence in activities of daily living, such as feeding, dressing, grooming, bathing, toileting, kitchen tasks, home living skills, and driving. They also work on motor coordination and strengthening, and may assist with cognitive/perceptual retraining, including attention, memory, problem solving, organization and visual perception activities. The occupational therapist also advises on adaptive equipment and devices needed in reaching rehabilitation goals.

Psychology Services

RISB's psychology team helps with challenges that catastrophic illnesses and injuries pose for patients and families. In cooperation with other team members, the psychology staff helps the patient and family regain the sense of mastery that plays a central role in a successful rehabilitation outcome. They may also help patients cope with various lifestyle changes resulting from disabilities. In addition, the psychology staff may employ formal or informal testing to assist patients and the other therapy team members to better understand some of the changes in thinking and coping skills that may have occurred.

Physical Therapist

The primary objective of physical therapy is to promote optimum movement and function. The physical therapist evaluates movement dysfunction and the ability to perform functional skills such as moving around a bed, balance in sitting and standing, and walking and/or using a wheelchair. A treatment program is developed to focus on the patient's specific mobility goals and needs. This program may include use of physical agent modalities for pain reduction, manual therapy and exercise to improve strength, quality of movement, balance, posture and coordination.

Recreation Therapist

Individualized leisure activities and counseling are provided by the recreation therapist to incorporate and reinforce skills learned from other therapies. Patients are helped to adapt or modify previous leisure activities and find new ones to enjoy. Supervised trips away from the hospital in a specially equipped van provide opportunities to practice improved skills in a real-life situation. Therapeutic recreation supports return to home and community in an independent and healthy lifestyle.