Catastrophic Amputations – Overcoming Barriers at Home Following Discharge from Acute and Out-patient Rehabilitation
Catastrophic Amputations – Overcoming Barriers at Home Following Discharge from Acute and Out-patient Rehabilitation
Donna Check
The modern day technological advances in prosthetic devices and adaptive equipment are astounding. Most of those who years ago would be dependent and out of work for the rest of their lives are now back to work, driving vehicles, running, and some are even in the Olympics. Unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone with catastrophic injuries or amputations. Not every person has the same level of success when trying to adjust and regain independence at home, with or without family members. There are still many individuals who have not experienced the same level of independence despite utilizing the same technologically advanced prosthetics and equipment.
A barrier to recovery is the difficulty individuals with amputation injuries encounter when seeking the extended care and rehabilitation they need in order to become independent. Acute care rehabilitation facilities have significantly shortened lengths of stay than in past years. Once through that phase of rehabilitation, unless they have an acute recurrence, those individuals no longer meet the admission criteria. Home health services and home therapies can help for an hour or two a day, for a limited time period, but those services are intended primarily to help an individual become stable at home. Not everyone recovers at the same pace. Some require more time, additional therapies and teaching, and most need counseling to help them adjust to a major life change. Post-acute residential facilities specialize in brain and/or spinal cord injury and unless an individual with a limb amputation has either neurologic injury, they cannot benefit from services and care offered in these programs.
Struggling and failing toward goals of independence after an amputation can leave the injured person feeling hopeless which can lead to situational depression, adjustment disorder, and surrendering to the injury instead of overcoming it. Individuals in this type of situation can become very discouraged and, with each passing day, if they don’t get up and practice what they have been taught to do, regression is the inevitable result.
NeuLife meets the needs of this specialized population of individuals who have been underserved for many years. In a very comfortable, homelike and caring environment, therapies, nursing care, adjustment counseling, support, and many other related services are offered to help each client admitted to reach clinical and personal goals as well as fulfillment. Goals of returning to a more “normal” home life as well as returning to work can become reality with the extended time allowed for recovery and rehabilitation. It is the consistent daily routines, practice with supports, and therapeutic intervention in a positive, encouraging atmosphere with excellent care provided that will make the most significant improvement over time and allow for maximum recovery and independence.
