ABSTRACT
Cognitive, behavioral, and physical changes can become life-altering events, and successful recovery is dependent on multiple variables including degree of injury, prior level of health and functioning, early goal-directed therapies, and family/social support systems. Through a case study, this chapter explores short- and long-term disabilities and best practices for return to maximal functional independence. Active therapy involvement, skilled rehabilitation nursing and medical services, intensive social work, case management, and psychological support providers can prevent and minimize short- and long-term disability. This improves the quality of life for both patients and families. In the short term, focus is placed on prevention of medical complications from immobility, skin breakdown, and alteration in nutritional status. In the long term, focus is placed on cognitive functioning, recapturing lost skills, building independence in activities of daily living (ADLs), and promoting coping strategies with a realistic plan for posthospital life.
