Independence at Home after Innovative Post-Acute Rehabilitation at NeuLife Rehab

You became a Client of NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida for innovative post-acute

rehabilitation after a catastrophic injury that may have been a:

● Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

● Mild brain injury (MBI)

● Traumatic limb amputation

● Multiple trauma

● Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

● Spinal cord injury (SCI)

Our job and your goal were post-acute rehabilitation that led to independence to the fullest extent

that your physical and mental condition allowed. Together, we accomplished that through your

hard work during post-acute rehabilitation and NeuLife Rehab’s many innovative modalities

administered by our multi-disciplinary team of professionals.

When you first became a Client of NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida you, like all of our

Clients, underwent an independent functional evaluation by a multidisciplinary team of

professionals that may have consisted of a:

● Board Certified Neurologist

● Board Certified Behavior Analyst

● Board Certified Physiatrist

● Neuropsychologist

● Psychologist

● Board Certified Psychiatrist

● Speech Language Pathologist/Cognitive Therapist

● Physical Therapist

● Occupational Therapist

● Nurses

● Certified Rehab Counselor

From the results of the independent evaluation, the professionals of NeuLife Rehab formulated a

Client Goal Plan, which took into account the fact that some Clients had dual diagnoses. The

Client Goal Plan guided the delivery of clinically relevant services by NeuLife Rehab and

specifically, your physical, occupational, cognitive/speech, psychiatric, neurologic,

psychological and neuropsychological therapy. The goal of NeuLife Rehab’s was, and always

will be, innovative post-acute rehabilitation for the attainment of independence to the fullest

extent that our Client’s her physical and mental abilities permit.

But now, it is time for the next stage, which may be going home. Scary? Probably, a little. Like

anything, moving to a “next stage” usually is, even if is positive change like attaining

independence. NeuLife Rehab understands that. Therefore, we offer this information to our

Clients and to everyone who has sustained a catastrophic injury.

There may be physical modifications to your home that are necessary to allow fully independent

or supported independent living. Naturally, the nature of the modifications will differ depending

upon the catastrophic injury involved. The multi-disciplinary team of professionals at NeuLife

Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida will help by providing recommendations for appropriate home

modifications.

The broad categories of home modifications include these:

● Accessibility. This refers to modifications such as widening doorways, clearing spaces to

make sure that wheelchairs can pass through, lowering countertop heights for sinks and

cabinets, installing grab bars and placing light switches and outlets at heights that can be

easily reached. Presumably that the remodeling is being done by others, keep in mind that

various laws and standards apply, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the

American National Standards Institute regulations for accessibility, and state and local

building codes.

● Adaptability. These are features that can be made quickly without having to completely

redesign the home. Examples include installing grab bars on bathroom walls and

moveable cabinets so that an individual in a wheelchair can access them.

● Universal Design. Universal design features are usually built into a home when the first

blueprints or architectural plans are drawn. These features include appliances, fixtures,

and floor plans that are easy for all people to use, flexible enough so that they can be

adapted for special needs, sturdy and reliable, and functional with a minimum of effort

and understanding of the mechanisms involved.

Here are some room-by-room considerations for modification to accommodate independence at

home after the post-acute rehabilitation at NeuLife Rehab:

Appliances, Kitchen, Bathroom

● Are cabinet door knobs easy to use?

● Are stove controls easy to use and clearly marked?

● Are faucets easy to use?

● Are there grab bars where needed?

● Are all appliances and utensils conveniently and safely located?

● Can the oven and refrigerator be opened easily?

● Can you sit down while working?

● Can you get into and out of the bathtub or shower easily?

● Is the kitchen counter height and depth comfortable for you?

● Is the water temperature regulated to prevent scalding or burning?

● Would you benefit from having convenience items, such as a handheld showerhead, a

garbage disposal, or a trash compactor?

Closets, Storage Spaces

● Are your closets and storage areas conveniently located?

● Are your closet shelves too high?

● Can you reach items in the closet easily?

● Do you have enough storage space?

● Have you gotten the maximum use out of the storage space you have, including saving

space with special closet shelf systems and other products?

Doors, Windows

● Are your doors and windows easy to open and close?

● Are your door locks sturdy and easy to operate?

● Are your doors wide enough to accommodate a walker or wheelchair?

● Do your doors have peepholes or viewing?

Driveway, Garage

● Does your garage door have an automatic opener?

● Is your parking space always available?

● Is your parking space close to the entrance of your home?

Electrical Outlets, Switches, Safety Devices

● Are light or power switches easy to turn on and off?

● Are electrical outlets easy to reach?

● Are the electrical outlets properly grounded to prevent shocks?

● Are your extension cords in good condition?

● Can you hear the doorbell in every part of the house?

● Do you have smoke detectors throughout your home?

● Do you have an alarm system?

● Is the telephone readily available for emergencies?

● Would you benefit from having an assistive device to make it easier to hear and talk on

the telephone?

Floors

● Are all of the floors in your home on the same level?

● Are steps up and down marked in some way?

● Are all floor surfaces safe and covered with non-slip or non-skid materials?

● Do you have scatter rugs or doormats that could be hazardous?

Hallways, Steps, Stairways

● Are hallways and stairs in good condition?

● Do all of your hallways and stairs have smooth, safe surfaces?

● Do your stairs have steps that are big enough for your whole foot?

● Do you have handrails on both sides of the stairway?

● Are your stair rails wide enough for you to grasp them securely?

● Would you benefit from building a ramp to replace the stairs or steps inside or outside of

your home?

Lighting, Ventilation

● Do you have night lights where they are needed?

● Is the lighting in each room sufficient for the use of the room?

● Is the lighting bright enough to ensure safety?

● Is each room well-ventilated with good air circulation?1

NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida consistently provides the highest standard of care in the

delivery of clinically relevant services to achieve successful, sustained outcomes and exceed the

expectations of all persons served.

Proper and timely post-acute rehabilitation that may determine the difference between disability

and independence is what NeuLife refers to as the “platinum post-acute period” —  the crucial

window following acute care that is needed to nurture the whole person to health with

specialized, clinically relevant services.

NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is an accessible residential post-acute program providing

specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury

(TBI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Amputations, Burns and other Catastrophic Injuries and

Challenging Diagnoses.

2725 Robie Avenue

Mount Dora, Florida 32757