Those undergoing rehabilitation at Bluewater Health now have access to a space where they can work to regain their strength, skills and confidence.
The occupational therapy functional suite, at the 40-bed Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, replicates a real life environment with a full kitchen, laundry facilities, various household appliances, and more.
Director of Rehabilitative and Palliative Care Paula Gilmore said their four occupational therapists play a key role in helping patients with all kinds of needs.
"Patients that we care for at the Inpatient Rehab Unit may have sustained a brain injury, they may have experienced a stroke, or fractured hip from a fall, or may just be generally frail and weak from an illness," said Gilmore.
Gilmore said the suite is the product of a $55,000 renovation of an unused patient wing on the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit.
"Occupational therapists treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through therapy use of everyday activities," she said. "They help patients really develop, recover, improve and maintain their skills needed for daily living and working."
Following a trial run where 100 patients were retrained before being discharged home, the functional suite officially opened this October during Occupational Therapy Month.
“We are grateful to our team of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants at Bluewater Health," said Gilmore. "They are regulated health professionals, who work with patients across the hospital to help patients solve the problems that interfere with their ability to do the things that are important to them – every day activities such as self-care, work, and leisure.”