Brain rehabilitation

About

Mayo Clinic doctors trained in physical medicine and rehabilitation and other staff offer a full range of brain rehabilitation treatment options for you, from intensive hospital care through outpatient and community-based services.

Inpatient rehabilitation

Mayo Clinic doctors and other staff trained in brain rehabilitation become involved in providing and coordinating your care as soon as you arrive at the hospital. They work closely with the hospital treatment team, initiating your rehabilitation assessment and treatment while closely monitoring your progress and planning for the next step. Brain rehabilitation specialists play a central role in teaching you and your family about your condition.

Brain rehabilitation unit

If you need further rehabilitation treatment after your condition has stabilized, you'll be admitted to the state-of-the-art inpatient brain rehabilitation unit at Saint Marys Hospital, one of Mayo Clinic's hospitals in Rochester, Minn. Rooms, therapy and social areas in the unit are designed to provide you and your family with a comfortable atmosphere. Each room has plenty of space to accommodate wheelchairs and other equipment.

The unit has a patio for easy access to the outdoors, a lounge area and laundry facilities. A specially designed apartment is available where you can practice and improve daily living skills.

In inpatient rehabilitation, your treatment team will help you to transition to living independently at home or in another type of independent living facility. Your team will work with you to help improve physical, mental and behavioral functioning. Your therapy and treatment will depend on your individual needs. Brain rehabilitation specialists will work with you and your family to discuss treatment goals and determine ways to meet these goals.

Outpatient rehabilitation

Outpatient rehabilitation focuses on helping you improve your physical, mental and behavioral functioning so that you can live and work as independently as possible after your condition has stabilized.

Brain Rehabilitation Clinic

You'll be evaluated by staff in the Brain Rehabilitation Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to determine which outpatient program or combination of treatments most appropriately meets your needs. If you need a new-patient evaluation, ask your doctor to make a referral to Mayo Clinic. An evaluation team reviews referrals prior to your evaluation to ensure that the appropriate doctors and staff are involved.

Your evaluation may include referrals to any member of the brain rehabilitation team. Your treatment team may include doctors trained in physical medicine and rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapists, and other specialists. Treatment team members work with you and your family to establish your treatment start date, create your treatment goals and determine ways for you to meet those goals. The team meets regularly to monitor your treatment and progress.

Mayo Clinic staff members can also help you find local housing, transportation and financial assistance for medical expenses. The rehabilitation nurse, neuropsychologist, clinical social worker and other specialists are available to provide family education and support. Your family and friends are encouraged to participate in many program activities.

The Brain Rehabilitation Clinic offers several outpatient programs, including:

• Brain rehabilitation day program. This intensive group-oriented outpatient program meets Monday through Friday. The program aims to help you develop independent living skills and successfully compete for employment. An integrated team develops, organizes and provides treatment that addresses your needs.
• Community reintegration group. This program is for people with a brain disorder who may benefit from continued, but less intensive, treatment. The group seeks to help you function well in the community with minimal support.
• Cognitive rehabilitation. In individual therapy sessions, cognitive rehabilitation therapists work with you to improve your thinking (cognitive) skills and maximize your success in personal and occupational roles.
• Vocational case coordination. Staff help you develop a plan to resume work in your previous job field or help you develop new career goals.
• Neuromuscular brain rehabilitation program. Physical and occupational therapists trained in brain rehabilitation use state-of-the-art approaches to treat mobility and motor control limitations and to maximize reintegration into independent living.
• Speech and language rehabilitation. In individual therapy sessions, speech and language therapists work with you to reduce any language-based or other limitations to effective communication you may experience.

Read more about stroke rehabilitation.