Spinal Cord Injury: Community Integration

One of the foundations of our patient care for spinal cord injury - and of our philosophy at CareMeridian - is patient community integration.  It differentiates our care from most other rehabilitation facilities and programs.  We emphasize sustaining rehabilitation into the community setting – beyond the hallways of the rehab facility.

Unlike catastrophic illness such as brain injury, functionality and mobility are key to spinal cord injury recovery.  Helping a patient to accomplish everyday tasks in their normal environment means they can achieve greater independence and enjoy daily living.

Traditional recovery often focuses almost completely on physical rehabilitation, which is of course a critical element of healing.  However, community integration also addresses the equally important, if traditionally under emphasized, aspects of independence, friendships, family relationships and participation in activities. 

Technically, community integration is defined as the resumption of appropriate social roles following a disability.  So work, a social network, recreation, along with physical rehabilitation is what truly supports holistic healing and allows the individual to feel part of the larger community.

Knowing the importance of community integration, a part of our spinal cord rehabilitation includes teaching patients to navigate daily activities, such as shopping, going the gym or enjoying an outdoor activity.  But because family becomes a critical source of social and recreational activity for an SCI patient, we also help families to assist patients and encourage them in interacting with their environment in ways appropriate to the individual and his or her injury.

Home is the central touch point of community.  It is why CareMeridian’s facilities look, feel and function like a family home, yet are highly skilled environments for aggressive rehabilitation. Healing the whole person is always at the forefront of our programs, and we believe our commitment to community integration is a factor in the high degree of positive outcomes for our patients and eases the transition from rehab to home.

Spinal Cord and Brain Injury News Briefs

Spanish Language Neurology Web Site
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) recently launched a Spanish language web site with excellent information on many neurological disorders.

The web site has a wealth of information about specific disorders as well as publications and information on clinical studies.  In addition to links to non-profit organizations and resources, NINDS also has a contact form for submitting questions.  The web site is here. NINDS is part of the National Institutes of Health.

Coaching the Comeback
The New York Times published an inspiring story this month focused on occupational therapist, Jody Levin.  She works every day to help heal brain-injured patients and this story reminds us how dedicated, caring health care workers encourage recovery miracles.  Read the story here.

UCLA Research Finds Nervous Systems Can Rewire Itself
A recent UCLA study with mice shows that the central nervous system can reorganize itself after spinal injury by finding new pathways to restore the cellular communication required for movement.  The study is shedding new light for doctors who believed that the only way for injured patients to walk again was to regrow the long nerves that link the brain and base of the spinal cord. The discovery could lead to new therapies for the estimated 250,000 Americans who suffer spinal injuries each year.

Interactive Memory Mapping: Learning About the Brain
National Geographic Magazine has an interactive feature on their web site explaining memory mapping. It shows through beautifully design graphics how the brain works in forming memories, storing them, and forgetting our memories due to age, injury or illness.  Learn more about how our brain works here.

Researchers Link Some Social Problems With Undetected Brain Injury
The Wall Street Journal reports that brain researchers are linking some common social problems, such as alcoholism, certain learning disabilities, and chronic homelessness to brain injury - a long-forgotten blow to the head. 

Researchers have found high rates of head trauma among various populations in New York schools, addiction programs and in the general population.  The research is being conducted by the Brain Injury Research Center at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.   The findings are offering new hope to adults coping with the “hidden” effects of brain injury.  Read the full article here.

Easter Seals Launches Brain Fitness Program for TBI Vets
Easter Seals is launching a new nationwide program to help returning veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).  Nationwide, health care professionals estimate at least 30% of troops who have been engaged in active combat for four months or more are at risk for some brain injury due to exposure to the percussive effectives of explosive devices.

Easter Seal’s new Brain Fitness Program is a pilot program based on an in-home computer-based software program that helps people who have sustained some types of brain injury think faster, focus better and remember more.  TBI is characterized by memory loss, difficulty in concentrating, slowness in thinking, and mood and personality changes.  Beyond the computer software, the program includes phone and email support and referral to community resources. 

Service members and veterans can enroll now by calling 866.423.4981 or emailing: veterans@easterseals.com to participate.