Medically Complex Rehabilitation

Finding solutions to complex needs  

Ochsner Rehabilitation Hospital treats the cognitive and physical impairments of people with medically complex needs arising from acute and chronic cardiopulmonary disease, cancer and transplants.
Therapist works with older female patient on balance and walking.

We’re here to help

An illness or chronic condition may leave you weak and lacking the strength, skills and energy to perform everyday tasks. You may have balance, walking or speaking challenges, as well as cognition and memory issues.

Our medical rehabilitation specialists understand these difficult and frustrating situations. We offer advanced treatment, strategies and support to restore strength, endurance and abilities.

  • Our experienced rehabilitation teams treat patients recovering from a wide range of medically complex conditions, such as:

    • COVID-19
    • Cancer
    • Post-surgical care for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, left ventricular assistive device (LVAD) implantation and other cardiovascular procedures
    • Fatigue from cardiac conditions such as congestive heart failure (CHF) and myocardial infarction (MI)
    • Frailty from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and asthma
    • Transplants
  • Ochsner Rehabilitation Hospital draws on the expertise of medical rehabilitation specialists to address the range of physical and functional issues that occur from medically complex conditions.

    This interdisciplinary team is led by a physiatrist, a physician board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and includes rehabilitation nurses; physical, occupational and speech therapists; dietitians; pharmacists; case managers and other clinical and support staff, as needed.

    In addition, family members are an important part of the care team. They may be asked to participate in therapy sessions to understand and support your needs.

  • Every patient is different with varied challenges, goals and expectations. Treatment will be tailored to your individual needs to help:

    • Restore physical abilities
    • Build strength and endurance
    • Improve balance, coordination and mobility
    • Enhance skills to perform daily activities
    • Optimize independence
  • Your therapy sessions will include hands-on activities with some aided by high-tech therapy equipment. Sessions will be provided three hours per day, five days a week or 15 hours over a seven-day period, depending on your tolerance and ability to actively participate.

    Your care plan may focus on:

    • Mobility skills training such as transfers, standing and/or walking
    • Strengthening, coordination and endurance exercises
    • Tactics to improve communication, swallowing and/or vision
    • Daily living activities such as dressing, eating and bathing
    • Strategies to improve memory, concentration, judgment and problem solving
    • Medication management
    • Strategies for returning home and to community life
    • Caregiver education and training

    It’s important to remember that recovery takes time. Each patient is different and your stay with us will depend on your diagnosis, rehabilitation needs and goals and daily progress.

After a liver and two kidney transplants, Noemi is all smiles with her family.
Our patients say it best
Noemi's story
“Always keep a positive attitude, set small goals daily and don’t become discouraged.”

How Can We Help You?

We will work closely with you and your family, physician and/or the referring hospital to ensure a smooth transition to Ochsner Rehabilitation Hospital for your recovery.