For patients who have suffered an injury to the brain including surgery, infection, a tumor or traumatic brain injury (TBI), the Rehabilitation Institute of South Florida provides individually tailored treatment programs in the areas of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physiatry (physical medicine), neuropsychology/psychiatry, and recreational therapy amongst other services.

A brain injury can result from a violent and/or sudden blow to the head, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue, causing impairment of brain function. Depending on the extent of damage to the brain, patients may experience headaches, confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, sleep disturbances, seizures, speech, memory and concentration problems and other neurological conditions. In addition, TBI patients may be paralyzed or weakened.

Brain injury rehabilitation therapy often involves repositioning, range-of-motion activities and strengthening exercises to enhance movement. Therapy may also involve balance retraining, facilitation of return to walking, and facilitation of independence in activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, bathing and using the toilet. In addition to helping the patient regain independence, these therapies can help prevent complications of traumatic brain injury including infection and bed sores. Encouraging physical movement is critical to recovery. In cases of speech and language challenges, alternative forms of communications such as pictures, verbal cues, writing and computers may be used. Innovative techniques are used to assist in regaining control of swallowing muscles.

Your rehabilitation team works closely with you and your support system to design and implement a personalized plan of care to help aid in your recovery and to help improve your quality of life and long-term function. Our physicians, nurses, therapists and staff are specifically trained in rehabilitative medicine for the treatment of and recovery from traumatic brain injury. We offer advanced technologies and innovations, including robotics, gait-assistance and swallowing therapies along with master's and doctorate-level therapists and rehabilitation nurses to help provide high-quality care.

We recognize that the treatment goals and recovery time vary from patient to patient. Depending on the symptoms, your individual treatment plan may include:

• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Speech therapy
• Recreational therapy
• Neuropsychology
• Dietary
• Pharmacy
• Animal-assisted therapy

At the Rehabilitation Institute of South Florida at Memorial Regional Hospital South, we strive to provide a safe, supportive environment. Often, brain injury patients have little to no awareness of their surroundings or understanding of the impact the TBI has had on their abilities. As part of our commitment to patient safety, all of our beds are equipped with exit alarms. These alarms are used when we feel a patient is not safe to transfer out of bed alone. The alarm alerts staff if a patient attempts to exit the bed unassisted. In addition, patients at risk of wandering off the unit unattended may be given a roaming alert bracelet device to monitor their movement and help prevent falls or elopements during their hospital stay.

We recognize that families and their caregivers are important members of the rehabilitation team. We offer a patient- and family-centered approach that allows 24 hour visitation with bedside accommodations for overnight stays if desired. We also encourage families to attend weekly conferences with their loved one to discuss progress and plans for discharge directly with their personalized team of caregivers. We encourage family participation in your daily therapy sessions and also provide an evaluation of your home by our therapy team if needed prior to discharge.

Determination Drive, our realistic, simulated community environment, includes a fully functioning apartment, a car, library and grocery store allowing you the opportunity to practice everyday challenges prior to returning home.

By combining some of the latest in advanced technology with highly trained staff within a beautiful, therapeutic environment, we are able to support our brain injury rehabilitation patients in gaining functional return and independence.

As part of our focus on providing patient- and family-centered care, we offer a support group for brain injury patients and their families. Call 954-518-5546 for more information.

For questions about admission or to arrange a tour, call 954-634-5658 954-518-5725.