Health Essentials - Winter 2012 - Euclid - (Page 6)

One step at Euclid program helps patients regain independence He used to bike seven miles each day to work as a community planner responsible for organizing health and environmental issues. Now, a shuttle picks up Mark McClain at his house three times a week at 7:45 a.m. and takes him to Cleveland Clinic Rehabilitation and Sports Therapy at Euclid Hospital. He’s a part of the Neuro Day program—an all-day skilled-care outpatient program for people recovering from stroke, Parkinson’s disease and other conditions as appropriate. While he would much rather ride his bike or drive his car, McClain, 55, suffered a debilitating stroke in April that paralyzed his left side. He has been tenacious about using all of Euclid Hospital’s comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services to regain his independent, active lifestyle. And he is succeeding. McClain says, “Every day is a gift, and I am not complaining. I am walking, although it isn’t always very graceful, and my left arm is coming along. I am just trying to perfect it all.” therapists. The program also has licensed social workers and psychologists—all working together to improve and restore patients’ functionality. “Our program is designed to deliver the most outpatient therapy you can obtain in just one day in Northeast Ohio,” says Nancy O’Maille, LISW, Neuro Day coordinator. “We are not adult day care. We provide skilled care for patients with multidisciplinary needs.” Based on their needs, patients attend two or three days per week. Most people attend for six weeks, and some participate for as long as three or four months. While patients focus on improving their physical abilities, the program also addresses how to reintegrate into everyday life. “When they lose the use of an arm, a leg or speech, patients can be reluctant to go out in public,” says O’Maille. “To teach patients how to overcome this hurdle, we have regular community outings and group activities. Our therapists take the patients grocery shopping or bowling.” They learn how to get in and out of a car, practice walking, and work on problem solving and other cognitive skills. Group activity time also includes exercise and cooking. Once a week, they gather to create a healthy lunch, and then they enjoy their efforts during a sit-down meal. Every three weeks, a patient’s plan of care is reviewed and modified by the skilled caregiver team in a conference meeting that family members also attend. Family training is encouraged as a patient makes the transition home. To ensure a safe home environment, the caregiver team conducts a home evaluation, offering recommendations for adjustments where needed. With all the time spent together, many patients develop lasting friendships. They build a network to encourage and motivate one another. “It is definitely a close-knit group. Every other year we hold a reunion for those How the Program Works Euclid’s Neuro Day program is unique in the Cleveland area. There, McClain is supervised by physicians and nurses who take his vital signs throughout the day while he works with physical, occupational, speech and recreational (call) Could All-dAy THerAPy HelP your loved one? For more information about the neuro day program, please contact nancy o’Maille at 216.692.7476. 6 HeAlTH essenTiAls WinTer 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Health Essentials - Winter 2012 - Euclid

Health Essentials - Winter 2012 - Euclid
Contents
A message from the president
Wound healing therapy now available at Euclid
Doing it her way
All-day therapy can help with fuller recovery

Health Essentials - Winter 2012 - Euclid