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Providing a PATH to recovery and independence

Physical therapy and rehabilitation usually focus on getting the body back to normal. But the process of recovering from an injury or a hospital stay can also mean adapting your home to meet your new needs.

The Post-Acute to Home, or PATH®, program at Farmington Presbyterian Manor helps patients bridge the gap between a hospital stay and going home. The holistic approach to rehabilitation includes physical, occupational and speech therapy as needed, provided by Aegis Therapies® and skilled nursing services.

Aegis’ on-site rehab support and expertise compliments and strengthens our PATH services. Their “Restore, Compensate, Adapt” model also addresses what can be changed in your environment to make a smooth transition back home.

“With our PATH patients we have specific goals for getting home,” said Mike Green, therapy program director. “We find out specifically what they’re struggling with in the home and work on those, like steps or bathroom accessibility. We do home evaluations so that when they go home they are safe.”

The suggested changes could be to remove trip hazards such as throw rugs, rearrange furniture for better flow through a room or walker access, or add grip bars and transfer benches in the bathroom. Based on the home visit, the rehab staff can then tailor a patient’s therapy for the challenges they will find back in their own home. A major goal of the PATH program is to reduce hospital re-admissions.

“We gear all of our therapy toward increased independence,” Mike said. Home evaluations are available to all residents, not just PATH patients. Residents also can get screened for cognitive decline and balance, to help prevent falls that could lead to a hospital stay in the first place. Therapy and rehabilitation programs are very individualized as well – patients can work on whatever they may struggle with on their own, from getting dressed to incontinence to using the TV remote.

“We always have new people and concerns. There is a whole list of things that can be addressed -- some things are unusual, which keeps it fun,” Mike said. “Whatever is important to the resident is important to us.”

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