Each September, the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation celebrates the power of rehabilitation with National Rehabilitation Awareness Week. This week is a time to educate people about the impact and benefits of physical rehabilitation for children, adults, and older adults.
It’s also a time to celebrate the impact of rehabilitation professionals including, physical therapists, speech language pathologists, and occupational therapists, who work together to help individuals overcome obstacles and accomplish tasks of daily living.
Rehabilitation week was first celebrated in 1976, with a small awareness campaign started by Allied Service in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Now, over 40 years later, the small campaign has grown to national awareness and is observed annually on the third week of September.
Rehabilitation provides life-changing treatment for millions of individuals, helping to minimize physical or cognitive disabilities and assist those affected by disabling injuries or illnesses. Rehabilitation services are particularly effective in aiding older adults recovering after a long hospitalization due to a stroke, joint replacement surgery, and injuries sustained from falls or other incidents.
Retirement communities are now incorporating rehabilitation centers on their campuses, offering convenient, state-of-the-art treatment for residents and short-term rehab care patients. These centers offer a variety of services for older adults in addition to physical rehab care, including medication management, assistance with tasks of daily living and even transportation to doctor’s appointments.
This week, we recognize the importance of rehabilitation services and celebrate the care professionals who help patients achieve their goals every day. If you’re interested in the benefits of rehabilitation care in recovering from a major hospitalization due to planned surgery, illness or injury, talk to your doctor to determine the right option for you.
