Department Spotlight – Therapy Services

Montevista Rehabilitation and Skilled Care is known and sought out for our all-star therapy department. This week, we caught up with Tracy, the director of the therapy department that serves Montevista, for a brief interview.

The department currently staffs three physical therapists (PT), three occupational therapists (OT), and a speech therapist (SLT), in addition to several therapy techs who all work together, and as a part of an interdisciplinary team to provide holistic care for the best patient outcomes.

The therapy department’s goals are to help patients and residents get stronger and improve their overall quality of life. To do this, they address patient-specific deficits and goals to develop an individualized holistic treatment plan. Goals and outcomes address balance, strength, endurance, range of motion, and functional ability. To overcome physical obstacles and motivation barriers, the team uses positive encouragement, engaging activities/exercises, family involvement, and plenty of education.

Tracy says that the best part about being a physical therapist and working with patients at Montevista is getting people back to their lives. The team has seen many patients admitted in a condition that has left them unable to care for themselves or walk, but after working with her team they are discharged with revived strength and functional abilities. The greatest achievement for the therapy department is to watch as their patients walk out the front door to return home with their loved ones, able to care for themselves again.

The Montevista therapy department is looking forward to the new year and even better patient outcomes. Their gym equipment wish list includes a mock grocery store and more motivated patients who are ready to put the work in with them!

Physical, occupational, and speech therapy services are available to all patients and residents at Montevista and focus on treating conditions that include:

· Joint replacement

· Orthopedic injuries

· Stroke and neurological recovery

· Cardiac-related problems

· Pulmonary impairment

Physical therapists create a plan of care to help improve strength, balance, and endurance. Occupational therapist work with patients to master activities of daily living including bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and other skills. A speech therapist is available to work with patients in the areas of swallowing, speech, memory, and cognition. Stop by and meet our team or learn more online.