| Abstrakt: |
The Stroke and Geriatric Empowerment (SAGE) Unit is an assessment and short stay rehabilitation program designed for adults and is very successful in improving physical function and independence for clients admitted into the program. Accumulated evidences are in support of rehabilitation of stroke patients in an organized stroke unit. Clients who benefit from this program include individuals who are experiencing frequent falls, have had a recent onset of cognitive impairment and decline in daily functioning, require further rehabilitation from surgery, amputation or illness and lastly have had a stroke or suffer from neurological diseases. Most of these clients already have an underlying respiratory disorder such as COPD, atelectasis, and sleep-disordered breathing. Respiratory disorders are an important comorbidity in stroke that may increase mortality, the risk of recurrent stroke and other vascular diseases, worsen cognition and functional outcome, negatively impact the quality of life, and prolong hospitalizations. Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) have an integral role in the assessment and the implementation of interventions for the patient with stroke who also has respiratory disorders or is at risk of respiratory diseases. Representation of RRTs in our experience on the SAGE program team was less than ideal. Availability of more RRTs time could enhance the elements of stroke rehabilitation and optimize the functional outcomes for stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
