Checking Out ReHab

Today I spent three hours with Lucille in Rehab. We visited OT, PT, the Social Worker and the Nurse in anticipation of her discharge home next week. We will have Home Health PT for a while after she first returns home.

Lucy is making great progress, and we have been really impressed with the Rehabilitation Floor at Coliseum Hospital in Macon. All of the staff at the Hospital have been wonderful and patient with my 95-year-old friend.

If you have never dealt with very senior citizens, it is difficult to explain some of the quirks they have. She has a definite way of doing things, and you won't change her mind about anything! She also tends to be bit forgetful at times. The PT today explained to me today that I would have to keep reinforcing certain things to Lucy that she seems to forget. She wants to walk too fast on the walker, and sometimes gets ahead of herself when it comes time to sit down, and she is still unsteady on her feet and needs to be watched a bit. I am hoping she will follow the instructions the doctor and therapist are giving her and that we will have a successful time of rehab at home

Have you ever had an accident or surgery where you needed rehabilitation? Although it can be very painful and stressful at times, it is critical that you follow the routine strictly and faithfully in order to get maximum benefit and healing. It is also important that you pay extra attention to proper nutrition at this time. Rebuilding bone and or muscle requires special nutritional balance.


1. Vitamin C helps your body to form collagen.(Collagen is a protein needed for strength and flexibility; it repairs tendons and ligaments and strengthen bones.) The concentration of vitamin C in your body decreases when your body is under stress. Stress also increases urine losses of vitamin C.
2. To heal,your body needs vitamin A for cell growth and development, bone development, and to help immune function.
3. Zinc is involved in wound healing.

• See the boxes below for food sources of these
nutrients.
VITAMIN C
• Oranges and orange juice
• Broccoli • Red bell peppers • Strawberries • Grapefruitand
grapefruit juice
• Baked potatoes • Cabbage • Tomatoes • Papaya
• Cantaloupe
Note: The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin C is 90 milligrams per day for men and 75 milligrams per day for women. Do not take more than 2,000 milligrams per day.

VITAMIN A

• Liver • Sweetpotatoes • Carrots • Mango
• Turnip greens • Spinach • Papaya • Red bell peppers
Note: The RDA for vitamin A is 900 retinol activity equivalents (RAE) per day for men and 700 RAE per day for women. Do not take more than 3,000 RAE (10,000 IU) per day.

ZINC

• Meat • Sunflower seeds • Seafood • Almonds
Note: The RDA for zinc is 11 milligrams per day for men and 8 milligrams per day for women. Do not take more than 40 milligrams per day.

• When you are sidelined with an injury, you may experience depression or anxiety. A dietitian can help you choose foods for optimal recovery.
• Don’t be surprised if you receive advice about dietary supplements from well-meaning friends, family, and fans who want to speed your recovery. Ask a dietitian for scientific advice on nutrients involved in healing and recovery.

These are just some general tips, talk these things over with your physician, dietician and family so you may receive maximum benefit from your rehab period.