Occupational therapy’s role in skilled care at VMH

April is National Occupational Therapy Month.   Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Occupational Therapists commonly care for patients who are on skilled care, also called swing bed.  This level of care is beneficial to the patient’s recovery following an injury, illness or surgery, and helps them regain their function and strength in order to return home safely.

Rena Kruse of Eitzen, MN, learned of the Veterans Memorial Hospital skilled care program from a friend of hers who had greatly benefited from this care following a fall and broken hip. She asked to be transferred to VMH following her surgery in La Crosse, WI for her broken ankle. She was admitted on skilled care and stayed nearly two weeks, benefiting from the occupational and physical therapy she received twice a day throughout her stay.

“My skilled care stay at Veterans Memorial Hospital was wonderful after I broke my ankle. Brad Krambeer and Melissa Clarke went over and above to find me a walker sling to help get me walking with a walker without putting any weight on my ankle. It worked perfectly!” explains Rena.  “All staff were so wonderful and friendly. I enjoyed visiting with each of them.”

Occupational Therapy works on skills such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, mobility, home safety, and home management skills. They will work on whatever the patient needs to do at home to ensure the patient is safe and capable of caring for themselves.

Again, Veterans Memorial Hospital encourages patients both locally and at other larger health care facilities to ask to be transferred to swing bed care at Veterans Memorial Hospital to better prepare them for going home. Rena adds, “When you need that extra help, Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon is the place to go.”

For more information on skilled care with Occupational Therapy, feel free to call Veterans Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation at 563-568-3411.