Custom Care for Stroke Patients

Doctor talking to patient When recovering from a stroke, every patient hopes to get back to a normal life -- but everyone has a different idea of what "normal" means. At the Inpatient Rehabilitation Center at Providence Health Center, the staff designs rehab plans around the activities that mean the most to patients.

Goals Are the Priority

"Some patients may have a long-term goal of going back to work; others may want to resume a particular interest or hobby, such as cooking or even dancing," says Armando Villarreal, RN, BSN, DON, Program Director. "We ask them about their lifestyles and make their goals our top priority."

When patients first receive treatment at Doctors Hospital, a member of the rehab staff visits them to help define those goals, performs an evaluation and designs a care plan. When patients are stable, they are transferred to the Inpatient Rehabilitation Center.

Intensive, Individualized Care

Armando Villarreal, RN, BSN, DON,
Program Director
Inpatient Rehab Center

The Center's small size (12 private rooms) allows its staff of nurses, therapists (physical, occupational and speech), social workers and rehab physicians to provide intensive, individualized care, as well as caregiving training for family members. In addition to stroke, the Center cares for patients recovering from other neurological injuries, general trauma and major surgeries. Patients receive at least three hours of therapy a day from a consistent group of caregivers who get to know them and their families.

"Most of our patients are able to return home, rather than to a nursing home or assisted living facility," says Mr. Villarreal. They then continue treatment on an outpatient basis.

Reach Out for Help

The Center hosts regular talks on stroke prevention and a stroke support group. Please contact the staff at:
Inpatient Rehabilitation Center | Providence Health Center
230 Calle Del Norte | 956-693-5017