Regaining Independence

Lexington Medical Center Extended Care is well-known for its warm, homelike atmosphere and excellent nursing care. But nursing is only part of what we offer as our full range of rehabilitation services are allowing more and more people to return home and regain their independence.

Access To All Hospital Services

Also, as a member of the Lexington Medical Center team, we can easily provide our residents access to all of the hospital’s superb services and state-of-the-art facilities, from diagnostics to treatment.

Continuity of Care

This one-on-one process ensures consistency of care and establishes a bond of trust, which is particularly important with the elderly. Personal knowledge of a resident helps prevent overly aggressive therapy that could actually impede progress.

Staff Assist Residents

The specialized training of our therapy staff enables them to assist each resident in attaining their highest level of independence.

40 percent of Our Medicare Residents Go Home

Approximately 40 percent of our Medicare residents recover and go home. That’s a very significant number and we are working to make it even better. Our goal is to provide top quality service in all the therapies.

Physical Therapy

Many diagnoses can lead to a need for physical therapy; among them are:

• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Fractures/joint replacements (hip, knee and shoulder)
• Amputations
• Back pain related to arthritis
• Joint disease or compression fractures
• Pneumonia
• Cancer

Treatments

Some of the treatments we perform to alleviate pain and restore function are exercise, moist hot packs, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, transfer training, balance training, gait training and whirlpool.

Speech Therapy

Individuals may require speech therapy if diagnosed with such illnesses as:

• Stroke
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s
• Aspiration pneumonia
• Cancer

Redeveloping Cognitive Skills

Some may need help in improving speech clarity while others may have a need to understand and express language. Many need assistance in redeveloping cognitive skills such as memory, orientation, reasoning and problem solving. In some cases, speech therapists may provide therapy to improve swallowing ability, ensuring safe eating.

Occupational Therapy

The types of diagnoses treated include stroke and general weakness related to acute illnesses such as:

• Pneumonia
• Heart attack
• Cancer
• Fractures
• Arthritis
• Contractures
• Surgery

Training For Daily Living

Treatments to improve function include splint fabrication and training for all activities of daily living. Occupational therapists may also recommend certain types of adaptive equipment to restore function.

Respiratory Therapy

Some diagnoses that require respiratory therapy are:

• COPD
• Emphysema
• Asthma
• Pneumonia
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Lung resection
• Lung cancer

Many Treatments Available

Treatments include initial screening and evaluation, delivery of aerosol medications, oxygen therapy, breath retraining exercises, relaxation techniques and stress management.

Restorative Nursing Programs

The Restorative Nursing programs include ambulation, range of motion, and dining. The purpose of these programs is to assist the resident in maintaining or improving his/her level of function in these areas:

• Walking with the appropriate and safe use of adaptive equipment
• Maintaining or improving joint mobility/flexibility of the arms, legs and torso
• Attaining his/her highest level of independent dining

Improve Quality of Life

The programs promote self-esteem, stimulate appetite, increase socialization, promote flexibility, decrease pain, prevent joint contractures, and improve quality of life. They also decrease the likelihood of adverse effects from decreased ambulation, joint contractures, and improper nutritional consumption which can lead to pressure sores, weight loss or gain, decreased muscle tone, aspiration or affect the healing of pressure sores.

Restorative Team

Our Restorative Team consists of a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and three certified nursing assistants (CNAs).