Rehabilitation therapy on the Waterside Unit
Read our guide below about the rehabilitation team at the Waterside Unit.
You can also download a PDF version of this patient information by following the link on the right.
Who we are
Our rehabilitation therapy team includes occupational therapists, physiotherapists and rehabilitation assistants. We promote a patient-led rehabilitation philosophy at the Waterside Unit.
When you’re admitted, we’ll assess you and set personal goals with your therapist. You’ll have a rehabilitation plan that you should do mostly by yourself just as you would if you were at home, but guided by the therapy team.
What we do
An occupational therapist helps people of all ages overcome challenges in completing everyday tasks or activities.
Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability.
We hope your therapy will lead to a safe and speedy discharge so you can continue your rehabilitation when you leave Waterside Unit.
What to expect
The focus of this rehabilitation unit is to act as a transition to home. We hope to replicate the activities that you want and need to do in your home environment.
Your therapy team will ask lots of questions related to the activities you were doing at home before being admitted to the hospital. Think about your priorities.By understanding your priorities, the therapy team will be able to help set realistic goals with you.
Discharge planning will begin on the day of your admission. We’ll work towards setting a discharge date after initial assessments.
If needed, we can refer you for ongoing support in your home including a package of care and/or community therapy.
Rehabilitation plans
Some of the therapy tools used to achieve your goals on the ward include:
Therapy sessions
These will take place on the ward or in the therapy gym.
Furniture measurement form
This green paper form is designed to help us better understand what your furniture looks like at home. We kindly request that a family member or friend visit your home to take the measurements requested on the form.
Exercises
We’ll give you copies of your exercises with a demonstration. You’ll need to complete them between therapy sessions.
Access visits
The therapy team may need to visit your home to review spaces for new equipment or home setups. This isn’t necessary for all patients.
Home visits
Our therapy team may take you from the hospital to your home to review existing or new equipment and show you how to use it. Not all patients need home visits and they need clinical justification.
You must strive to be as independent as possible as rehabilitation is ongoing and not just during therapy sessions. For example, if you can walk to the bathroom or day room with the assistance of nursing staff, this counts as rehabilitation.
At the end of your admission, we’ll give you a therapy feedback form. We’ll ask you to complete the form and hand it back to the nursing staff.
Goal setting
This is a key part of rehabilitation. Goals must be meaningful, important, and specific. Your therapy team will work with you to set goals for in-hospital (short-term) as well as once you are home (long-term).
Your therapy team will help set goals that are specific, achievable, and have a realistic timeframe.
Short-term goals (in hospital)
These goals will help you safely discharge from the hospital.
Examples might includes standing up, washing and dressing.
Long-term goals (at home)
Some goals are better work on in your home environment.
These might include walking in your garden.
About this information
This is intended as general information only. We make the information as up to date and accurate as possible, but it’s subject to change. Check specific advice on any concerns you may have with your doctor.
How can you help reduce healthcare associated infections?
Infection prevention and control is important to the wellbeing of our patients so we have infection prevention and control procedures in place. Keeping your hands clean is an effective way of preventing the spread of infections. Follow our infection prevention and control guidelines when visiting our healthcare sites.