Occupational therapist Jordyn Farver helps 4-year-old Areiel put on her shoes before therapy.
Children can spend years in rehabilitation, depending on their illness or injury. So it comes as no surprise that they often form close bonds with their caregivers and therapists as they overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.
Now, children who used to have to leave the care of Akron Children’s providers for inpatient rehabilitation can get the care they need, with the professionals they know and trust, from our inpatient rehabilitation unit.
“This is something we have wanted and our patients have wanted for many years,” said Dr. Micah Baird, medical director of the unit. “This will make it possible for children who get their initial medical care here to get the rehabilitative services they need without having to be transferred to another facility. Many patients have expressed their desire to stay here and stay close to home.”
The unit is for patients requiring speech, physical or occupational therapy following hospitalization for an acute illness, surgery or trauma.
It opened with 5 beds but will most likely double in size when it relocates to the new critical care tower in two years.
“We view this as an important link in offering a complete continuum of care for our patients,” said Mary Marino, director of Rehabilitation Services at Akron Children’s. “Our Day Rehabilitation Program has been a huge success, but we can now serve the needs of our patients who are not medically stable enough to go home after the end of the day.”
The care continuum for these patients would begin with their hospitalization and getting them medically stable. Once well enough, they would begin inpatient therapy.
Following discharge, they would continue their therapy programs with the Day Rehab Program, followed by outpatient rehabilitation.
In addition to intensive therapy, patients also benefit from care/case management, and pediatric psychologists, child life specialists, and art and music therapists to help them adjust and adapt to their hospitalization and new challenges.
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