Importance of Recreation to Traumatic and Mild Brain Injury Rehabilitation
The use of the term “recreation” in the same sentence as “traumatic brain injury rehabilitation” may seem odd. But it really isn’t.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an alteration in the normal function of the brain. Traumatic brain injuries can result from many kinds of occurrences, including:
- Falls
- Assaults
- Motor vehicle collisions
- Sports injuries
- Striking the head against another surface
There are also “mild brain injuries,” which are sometimes called concussions. All brain injuries are potentially serious and could require acute care when they occur. All can have far-reaching implications to an individual’s independence. Some of the distinctions between the categories of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and mild brain injuries are based upon causation, whether they are open or closed head injuries and whether they result in loss of consciousness (and if so, for how long).
Many individuals who sustain traumatic or mild brain injuries will need the innovative post-acute rehabilitation furnished by NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida. When an individual becomes a Client of NeuLife Rehab, he or she undergoes an independent functional evaluation by a multidisciplinary team that may include:
- 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
The results of the independent functional evaluation form the basis of a Client Goal Plan for each Client. The Client Goal Plan is implemented by NeuLife Rehab’s multidisciplinary team of professionals. The goal is the attainment of independence for each of our Clients to the fullest extent of his or her physical and mental abilities.
Attaining independence is hard work, however, there is a recreational element of it that is sometimes not recognized and it is an integral part of NeuLife Rehab’s innovative post-acute rehabilitation. In fact, there are professionals on NeuLife Rehab’s multidisciplinary team that focus on recreation as a form of specialized rehabilitation: recreational therapists.
A recreational therapist works with individuals who have physical, mental or emotional disabilities, including those that resulted from traumatic or mild brain injuries. The specialized rehabilitation that they conduct helps remediate the effects of the trauma. For example, a frequent recreational activity at NeuLife Rehab is.bowling. Examples of the ways that bowling can help to rehabilitate our Clients include:
- Learning or re-learning the rules of the game
- Remembering the rules of the game
- Developing the physical coordination to grasp the ball, such as by placing fingers in the holes
- Developing the ability to aim the ball toward the pins
- Gaining the physical strength to lift and roll the ball
- Being able to participate with others on a team
- Controlling anger or upset with oneself or others during the course of the game.
NeuLife Rehab consistently provides the highest standard of care in the delivery of clinically relevant services to achieve successful, sustained outcomes and exceeds the expectations of all persons served. Our philosophy of that healing, wellness and personal fulfillment are best accomplished in an uplifting therapeutic environment where caring staff encourage, assist and support each Client so he or she may achieve specific goals. NeuLife Rehab believes personal fulfillment is equally as important as goals to increase function and independence.
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’s philosophy is that healing, wellness and personal fulfillment are best achieved in a positive and uplifting therapeutic environment where caring staff encourages, assists and supports each client so he or she may achieve specific goals. NeuLife believes personal fulfillment is equally as important as goals to achieve function and independence.
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
