Pocahontas Memorial Hospital is very proud of its rapidly growing rehabilitation program. Rehabilitation services are available for anyone in need of treatment in recovery from surgery, injury (including sports injuries), illness or other medical condition such as acute or chronic pain, vertigo, frequent loss of balance or falls, difficulty rising from a low seat and/or difficulty with mobility in general. Physical therapy services have long been the hallmark of the hospital’s rehabilitation services, but we are excited to announce that we offer occupational and speech therapies on a full-time basis or five days a week.
Services are available both on an inpatient and outpatient level. If your healthcare provider recommends that you seek one of these types of therapies, you can schedule an appointment with PMH’s program just like any other therapy office. You can make the decision where you want to receive these services.
Our Physical Therapy team is made up of Melanie Taylor, PT, and Jason Riffe, PTA, Director of Rehabilitation. Tom Melko, PT, and Cathy Singleton, PT, are also available on a PRN basis.
Occupational Therapy is provided by Alicia Hanshew, MS, OTR/L; Abigail McNeel, MOTR/L; Leslie Goodall, OTR/L; and Kristy Riffe, COTA/L. Occupational Therapy is a skilled rehabilitation service that addresses deficits with ADLs (activities of daily living) such as: dressing, toileting, bathing, eating, grooming, etc. They also work to improve strength, balance, coordination, cognition and any impairment following a recent illness or injury. Like physical therapy, their main focus is to help patients achieve their maximal level of independence.
Speech language therapy is provided by Christine A. Sharp, who is a speech language pathologist, holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) and is licensed in the state of West Virginia. In general, speech-language pathologists help people from across the lifespan, from birth to adult, who struggle with one or several issues, including but not limited to: understanding spoken language, produc- ing spoken language, socialization/social skills development, speech production/ articulation, alternative forms of communication, feeding, chewing, swallowing, stuttering and cognitive-linguistic skills.
An important component of the Rehabilitation services offered at PMH is the Skilled Rehab or “Swing Bed” program. Swing Bed is a skilled nursing program that you can be admitted to after any qualifying illness or surgery to receive rehabilitation therapy or special medical treatments. Therapies could include not only physical, occupational, speech therapies, but respiratory therapy, as well. Treatments may also include wound care or IV antibiotics. Studies show that outcomes are much more positive for patients that complete skilled rehabilitation after prolonged illness or surgery.
If you have any questions about the Rehabilitation services at PMH or would like information on scheduling an appointment, please contact the department at 304-799-1015.