The Roles of Various Therapists at a Subacute Nursing NJ Facility

Patients who enter a subacute nursing NJ facility do not require a hospital’s level of intensive care, yet subacute patients do have medical needs that require attention that is beyond the level of care found at a traditional nursing center. Subacute patients have specialized medical issues due to their own healthcare concerns, such as post-operative care, and physical rehabilitation. In a subacute nursing NJ facility, a patient can expect to receive help from nurses, but also specialized therapists such as occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, physical therapists and case managers. The goal of all the staff at a subacute nursing facility is to ensure the patient can resume their normal life routine, or at least ensure their patients have gained the skills to adapt as best as possible to their new lifestyle. While the overall goal of the subacute nursing NJ staff may all be the same, their primary roles within the facility are all very different.

Role of the Occupational Therapist in a Subacute Nursing Facility NJ

After a patient begins treatment in a subacute nursing facility, chances are high they will need the help of an occupational therapist. Occupational therapists work with patients to help them resume the previous quality of life they had prior to surgery. They work with the patients to redevelop or adapt themselves in a way to get them to fully function in their daily lives and the workplace. Occupational therapists work to re-teach their patients functions such as: typing, how to feed themselves, and dress themselves during their stay at a subacute nursing NJ facility.

Role of the Speech and Language Therapist in a Subacute Nursing Facility NJ

Part of the rehabilitation process for a patient at a subacute nursing NJ facility is learn how to speak again. Due to a brain injury or stroke, a person has forgotten the ability to speak and articulate their needs. A speech and language therapist works with these patients to help them communicate, whether it is verbal of physical. A speech therapist also works with throat cancer patients to teach them how to swallow correctly.

Role of the Physical Therapist in a Subacute Nursing Facility NJ

Physical therapists work with patients at a subacute nursing NJ facility who have mastered simple functions such as walking without assistance of a nurse or walker. However, they need to work with a physical therapist to master more complex tasks. An example of a physical therapist’s job in a subacute nursing NJ facility is someone who has received a hip replacement that can walk unassisted but needs additional help getting up stairs. These patients also can only be worked for a maximum of a few hours a day since many have orthopedic injuries which renders the patient unable to be completely weight bearing on one or both sides of their body. Once a patient is discharged from a subacute nursing NJ facilty it is not uncommon for the physical therapist to continue rehabilitative services at the patient’s home.

Role of a Case Manager in a Subacute Nursing Facility NJ

A case manager initially accesses the patient and determines the best care options for the patient in the subacute nursing NJ facility. A case manager tracks the patient's progress and modifies the care regimen for the patient. Once the patient seems fit to leave, the case manager performs an evaluation and has the final say on the discharge of the patient.