Support Groups
The Rehabilitation Center
provides a myriad of support and adjunct services.
These services enhance therapy and which promote and enable
individuals with disabilities and disorders and those facing chronic
ailments to better manage their conditions. These services facilitate
prevention of further injury or aggravation of conditions and aid in
obtaining and maintaining the safest, most independent lifestyle
possible.
Arthritis Foundation Aquatic
Program
The Center offers Arthritis Aquatic Classes to
individuals with arthritis and other chronic ailments. The program gives
participants the opportunity to do gentle activities in warm water with
guidance from volunteer instructors who are certified by the American
Arthritis Foundation. The class provides physical benefits such as
decreased pain and stiffness and increased mobility. The classes also
provide a friendly and supportive atmosphere. The social interaction can
help decrease a person’s feelings of isolation while progress in the
aquatic activities can lead to independence and improved self-esteem.
The Center currently offers a number of classes at different times
throughout the week. Classes meet two times each week.
The Independent Aquatic Program
The pool at the Aquatic Center is also available
for use by individuals who have obtained the full benefits of therapy
and wish to maintain their rehabilitated state. They have access to the
pool to execute an exercise program developed for them by the Center's
therapists as part of their discharge plan.
Consultations
Personal and phone consultations are
often the first step toward securing vital rehabilitative services.
Individuals can contact licensed therapists to glean information
specific to their diagnoses, rehabilitation potential, and available
resources and services.
Consumer Education
Visual aids such as models and charts are used to explain disease
processes, disorders and rehabilitation potential. A lending library of
video tapes, books and magazines is available for unlimited use.
Catalogs and information on adaptive equipment and products are on hand
and made available when appropriate to an individual's rehabilitation.
Community resources are discussed during the admissions process and
during treatment. Patients and caregivers are provided with information
and contacts for national, state and local organizations specific to
their diagnoses for augmentative support and information. Therapists,
with patient consent, can also provide a vital link to others in similar
situations.
Support Groups
The advent of new and different
support groups is continually assessed and the Center will move to
fulfill such needs as they are identified.
Kids Plus
The Rehabilitation Center collaborates
with the Child and Family Guidance Clinic of Texoma who offers special
programs and services for children and their families at the Center.
Information and Referral
"You don't need to know everything, you just need
to know how to access the information when you need it." The old adage
is true. For many callers, The Rehabilitation Center is that source. On
a daily basis, administrative staff provides a wide array of general
information and referral sources to phone callers. Most of the calls
received by the Center are related to disability issues and can
frequently be handled with the proper contacts.
Public Awareness and
Presentations
Through public programs, the Center helps to create
a climate of acceptance of children and adults with disabilities and
disorders which enables them to participate and contribute to the full
extent of their ability.
Van Transportation
Transportation may be arranged for through the Texas Area Paratransit
System (TAPS).
