The
Dominican
Life
Center
Rehabilitation
Services
 Rehabilitation
Services are available to sisters in all levels of the continuum of care,
as well as to sisters who come to the Dominican Life Center on a short-term
basis to recuperate from surgery or an illness. The department offers
a variety of treatment modalities under the guidance of a licensed physical
therapist. Speech and occupational therapists are consulted as needed.
Due to licensing laws, a sister can be evaluated by a physical therapist
but cannot receive rehab treatments without an order from a medical doctor
(MD), doctor of osteopathy (DO), podiatrist, or dentist for TMJ problems.
 Each
sister participates in a rehab program tailored to her individual needs,
and she is seen as often as necessary until her optimum health is achieved.
Treatments range from hot and cold packs for arthritis to skilled care
for sisters who have acute needs resulting from strokes, mastectomies,
back surgeries, knee replacements or amputations. A full-service gym complete
with parallel bars, shoulder pulleys, exercise bikes and other equipment
is available on site. Adaptive devices such as braces, arm slings, canes,
walkers, and weighted spoons and forks are provided to residents as needed
to help them remain independent for as long as possible. In addition,
Rehabilitation Services provides Amigos (motorized scooters) to residents,
as well as training on how to use them.
 Exercise
Groups
A yearly range of motion assessment of joints and muscles is completed
for residents. Four exercise groups tailored to the needs of residents
who have various levels of mobility and physical activity are offered.
Some groups meet daily, while others meet three times a week.
Massage
Therapy
Massage therapy is offered to DLC residents on Mondays and Tuesdays by
appointment and for a fee. Treatments typically last a half hour to an
hour and are conducted by a licensed massage therapist.
Falling
Leaves
Falling Leaves is a program designed to monitor and decrease the number
of falls experienced by DLC residents. Co-workers from each department
in the DLC comprise a core committee that meets regularly to evaluate
ways in which falls can be prevented.
Director of Rehabilitation Services:
Susan Mullinix
smmullinix@adriandominicans.org
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