Our Expert Interdisciplinary Team
A team of rehabilitation professionals, in conjunction with the physician specialist (orthopedic surgeon, geriatrician, neurologist, cardiologist, pulmonary specialist and / or hematologist), work with the patient and family to plan and implement an individualized plan of rehabilitative care.
The team includes:
Physicians: All physicians are board-certified in medicine. The physicians are responsible for the direction of the residents care, including prescribing medicines and therapeutic interventions, as well as ordering appropriate medical diagnostic tests and specialty consultations.
Nursing: The Westchester Center employs certified rehabilitation Registered Nurses who specialize in helping individuals affected by chronic illness or physical disability to adapt to their disabilities, achieve their greatest potential, and work towards productive, independent lives. RNs take a holistic approach to meeting a patient’s medical, educational, and environmental needs.
Physical Therapy: Our physical therapists evaluate mobility, balance, strength and endurance. At The Westchester Center, treatment revolves around maintaining joint flexibility, as well as normalizing movement, walking, wheelchair management and high-level physical skill. Physical Therapists can also assess whether or not a patient is capable of intensifying an exercise program that might lead to greater physical condition.
Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapists address the patient’s self-care, home situation and management, functional mobility and community living skills needs. The occupational therapist provides the patient with opportunities to practice “real life” activities to help the individual achieve the highest possible level of independence.
Speech / Language Pathology: The speech and language pathologist offers diagnostic and therapeutic interventions focused on listening/reading comprehension, verbal/written expression, reasoning/problem solving and interpersonal skills, as well as voice and swallowing function.
Social Worker: The social worker acts as the family advocate, assisting family members in adjusting to changes in the family structure that may result from a patient’s illness, injury or surgery. The social worker also helps the patient cope with the changes that may be experienced as a result of the illness, injury or surgery, and may also help determine community-based services a patient may need after leaving The Westchester Center. All social workers at The Westchester Center have master’s degrees in social work.
Recreation Therapy: The Westchester Center recreation therapists offer group and individual sessions to encourage and motivate patients to participate in enjoyable and constructive activities.
Wound Care: Our full-time specially trained wound care nurses work with patients with hard to heal wounds. The Westchester Center’s comprehensive wound care program includes a broad range of leading edge therapies and treatments. Our wound care nurses play an active role in assessing, diagnosing, and overseeing all wound care procedures and protocols. To prevent recurrence, our unique whole person approach to care also stresses wound prevention and self-management.
