Introduction of Rehabilitation Program into Hospital Ward Life of Convalescent Patients

Abstract

Introduction : Every day, patients undergo rehabilitation training under the guidance of a physical therapist person-to-person, but it ends in a short time. A patient who are taking walking exercises in the rehab center is confined to a wheelchair when that patient returns to the hospital ward. Such being the situation, we introduced part of the rehabilitation program into daily routine in the ward life. All the staff of the convalescent ward joined forces to help the patients restore their ability to perform the basic activities if daily living (ADLs) and motivate them to return to normal. The results of our efforts shall be reported here.
Subjects and Methods : A total of 10 patients who were undergoing training in the rehab center were the subjects for this study. The progression of rehabilitation was observed and documented. The target of rehabilitation at the hospital ward was set. Their ability to perform ADLs were assessed.
Results : Eight of the 10 subjects achieved the objective. Two persons failed because they got out shape. Two of the eight subjects who could attain the objective became eager to do daily routine.
Discussion : Before this study, we only drove the patients to and from the rehab center, but when the study got started, we came to observe the patients from various angles because we had opportunities to grasp the situation about rehabilitation, to asked physical therapists questions about care and exercises and exchange views with them. We thought that the introduction of part of the program implemented in the rehab center into daily routine in the ward life and the setting of the target of rehabilitation contributed to the enhancement of the levels of the patient’s ability to perform the ADLs. The old people exhibit a peculiar state of mind due to physical inactivity and aging. When they are hindered from performing daily activities, they feel frustrated and plunge into helplessness. We thought that it is important to make them take an interest in what they can do instead of what they cannot do, if we are to uplift their ability to perform ADLs and improve the quality of their life.
Conclusion : Giving the patients rehabilitation training in concert with physical therapists results in the improvement of their ability to do the activities of daily living.