Community Re-Entry

One of the main goals of rehabilitation is to prepare the patient for life after discharge. This includes the following:

• adapting to living with a disability
• promoting independence
• planning for a safe and accessible environment

Community re-entry plans are individualized and are based on the patient's physical abilities and needs. Both the patient and family should be involved in planning re-entry into the community.

Many times, adjustments and modifications need to be made to help a person with a disability function independently. This may involve, but is not limited to, the following:

• home - installing wheelchair ramps, raised toilet seats, or handrails on stairways
• school - special computers or adaptive equipment to allow for alternative means of communication
• work - new job skills, job placement, and vocational counseling
• recreational, social, or sports activities - mobility in public places such as restaurants, churches, or stadiums
• transportation - getting in and out of a car or bus, or installing special hand controls or lifts

Rehabilitation team members and community agencies often work together to help people with disabilities succeed.

Click here to view the
Online Resources of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation