Our Services
Services Provided
Rehabilitation Nursing
J. W. Sommer nursing staff are specially trained in the area of rehabilitation and providing care to individuals with disabilities. The patient is assigned a registered nurse around-the-clock, and nursing staff encourages and assists patients in self-care and reinforces techniques learned in therapy sessions. Nurse to patient ratios are lower than those in other types of rehab facilities. J.W. Sommer also provides nurses that have furthered their education by receiving recognition as Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurses, which is sponsored by the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses.
Physical Therapy (PT)
J.W. Sommer’s physical therapist and physical therapists assistants carefully evaluate their patients and implement individual treatment programs to optimize movement, flexibility, and muscle control, build strength and endurance, and improve balance. The goal of physical therapy is mobility—walking or using a wheelchair. Physical therapy also evaluates the patient for appropriate devices used in mobility, such as braces, canes, walkers, or orthoses.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
J.W. Sommer’s occupational therapists help patients gain independence in performing activities of daily living. This includes bathing, dressing, eating, and transfers, as well as a variety of more complex tasks needed at home, school, or in the workplace. An individualized program is designed to increase strength, range of motion, and coordination through exercises of the upper body.
Sometimes, occupational therapy is needed to evaluate and treat visual or cognitive difficulties, including problem solving, memory, or perceptual problems that interfere with a patient’s ability to perform daily tasks.
Speech Therapy
The Speech Language Pathologist is consulted for those individuals requiring specialized help with communication, cognitive, or swallowing difficulties. Through daily exercises patients that have lost the ability to talk or have difficulty speaking or understanding speech can regain these basic cognitive, or swallowing difficulties. Through daily exercises patients that have lost the ability to talk or have difficulty speaking or understanding speech can regain these basic abilities. Cognitive development tasks may be needed in order to increase socialization skills, memory, and/or problem solving abilities. The speech therapist also closely monitors patients with difficulty or inability to swallow (called dysphagia), and may teach the patient new compensatory strategies or use electronic devices in order to re-educate the muscles used during swallowing.
Case Management
J.W. Sommer’s Case Management department addresses the social and economic issues that may arise as a result of disability. The Case Manager also coordinates team recommendations with patients, their families, and insurance coordinators. Our case managers work one-on-one with each patient and their caregivers to ensure timely transition back in to the community. Case Management also provides access to a variety of area services.
Food and Nutrition Services
Good nutrition is very important in gaining the strength to meet a rigorous rehabilitation and recovery. J.W. Sommer focuses on providing appetizing, well-balanced meals. A registered dietician is available for consult, as part of the rehabilitation team, and assists in educating the patient regarding physician’s diet prescriptions as well as noting the patient’s own preferences while meeting dietary needs.
