ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Weatherford

If your summer travel has you sitting in a car for extended periods of time, some quick stretches can help. Muscles tend to shorten and stiffen when you’re inactive for a significant amount of time. Stretching helps to lengthen muscles and support proper posture, improve circulation, and reduce pain. Here are a few stretches to help make your travel to make it a bit more comfortable:
https://clearskyhealth.com/weatherford/blog/2024/07/18/travel-stretches/

Travel Stretches - ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Weatherford If your summer travel has you sitting in a car for extended periods of time, some quick stretches can help. Muscles tend to shorten and stiffen when you’re inactive for a significant amount of time. Stretching helps to lengthen muscles and support proper posture, improve circulation, and reduce pa...

After a joint replacement surgery, it's crucial to start moving early to ensure a successful outcome and prevent complications like blot clots. Rehabilitation helps to reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling. At our hospital, we provide specialized rehabilitative care to help patients:

Improve walking and mobility
Enhance balance and coordination
Lower risk of future falls
Manage pain
Use assistive devices properly, if needed

Looking for a tasty and light summer meal? Consider this recipe from the American Diabetes Association for grilled salmon with mango salsa. The mango salsa adds a slight sweetness to the dish.

Grilled Salmon with Mango and Tomato Salsa Made with love for people living with diabetes and their families. Backed by the diabetes nutrition experts at the American Diabetes Association

Thank you to this awesome group of folks who held our first Quarterly Stroke support group in Weatherford, Texas, on June 27th.

Making a difference beyond our walls makes doing what we do that much more rewarding. You are making a difference and are amazing people.

Thank you for your passion for helping stroke survivors heal in every aspect of their extended recovery.

Our next anticipated Stroke Support Group will be held tentatively on September 26th. Save the date and stay tuned for a confirmation of details.

Did you know that rehabilitation can help with transplant surgeries? By optimizing capabilities like aerobic capacity, strength, and flexibility before a transplant surgery, a patient can improve tolerance and retain a higher level of function following a transplant. After a transplant, rehabilitation can help a patient achieve a higher level of function through a plan that typically includes exercise, diet, practicing activities of daily living, aerobic endurance, and restoration of muscle mass and strength.

For individuals with limb differences or amputations, each experience is unique. Some may have had limb differences since birth, while others may have had limb amputations because of an accident, injury, or disease.
When interacting with a person with a limb difference, it’s important to realize that you most likely don’t understand what life is like for them. Listen to how they describe themselves and use their language choices in conversation. If you have a question, make sure it’s appropriate and ask it sensitively and respectfully. Listen carefully and be genuine and thoughtful with your replies. Avoid clichés like “look on the bright side” and “there’s a silver lining.” It’s important to remember that recovery and rehabilitation following a limb loss or limb difference isn’t a linear journey; it can be a life-long process. Patience and empathy are key in supporting an individual with a limb difference.

ClearSky Weatherford is proud to host its first Stroke Support Group in Parker County. We would love to see our survivors there to share, learn, and explore resources!

ANNOUNCEMENT:
STROKE SUPPORT GROUP in Weatherford
Thursday, June 27th
4:00-6:00 pm

First Baptist Church
222 W. Church St
Weatherford, TX 76086

If you notice changes in a family member's memory, thinking, or behavior, it can be concerning. The Alzheimer’s Association offers tips on how to assess the situation, offer support, and prepare to take action if needed. Read more here:
https://clearskyhealth.com/weatherford/blog/2024/06/13/assessing-memory-changes/

Assessing Memory Changes - ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Weatherford If you notice changes in a family member’s memory, thinking, or behavior, it can be concerning. The Alzheimer’s Association offers the following tips on how to assess the situation, offer support, and prepare to take action if needed.

Ms. Jones is winning the battle of being a stroke survivor. She is going home after a lengthy fight for recovery.

Thank you for allowing ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Weatherford the opportunity to help you in your journey to get back home.

If you live with multiple sclerosis, warmer weather and higher humidity may worsen your symptoms and make it harder for you to function. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, heat generally only worsens symptoms temporarily and doesn’t cause additional damage. With summer around the corner, consider these strategies for staying cooler:

Stay inside in air-conditioned areas during the hottest times of the day.
Drink cool fluids.
Wear light-weight, loose clothing.
Consider cooling garments like vests, wrists, ankle, or neck wraps.
Enjoy a cool pool (less than 85 degrees Fahrenheit).
Go outside during cooler times of the day or evening.

After experiencing a stroke, many survivors can suffer from speech and language problems such as dysarthria, apraxia, and aphasia, which can impact their social lives. However, socializing is known to be one of the best ways to maximize recovery. So how can someone socialize if they have trouble communicating?

Along with therapy provided by speech therapists, the American Stroke Association suggests:
Begin practicing one-on-one conversations with someone you’re comfortable with.
Practice conversations in a quiet place with no distractions or background noise.
Write or draw to supplement verbal expression.
Use gestures, a picture book, or even a computer communication system.
As you become more comfortable, practice in less-controlled social situations.

For the last day of Stroke Awareness Month, ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Weatherford played a Minute to Win It Challenge.

Challenged with tasks that would simulate what a stroke survivor might be experiencing, the staff found it enlightening and a lot of fun.

Our winners of the challenge were Kelly, Jayce, and Sonia. They had exceptional skills in light of the deviations for the experience.

Time is of essence for stroke survival.

Know the signs!
F - Facial Droop
A - Arm Weakness
S - Speech Difficulty
T - Time to call 911

Depression is a common and serious complication following a stroke. It can be underrecognized, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. About 30% of stroke survivors can experience depression. To learn more, click on this short video from the American Stroke Association:

Post-Stroke Depression Depression is a common and serious complication after a stroke affecting about 30% of stroke survivors. If left untreated, it can affect quality of life and ...

Sleep disruptions or a change in sleep patterns is common after suffering a stroke. More than half of stroke survivors experience problems sleeping in the months following their strokes. Insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorders, and sleep-wake cycle disorders can lead to a slower recovery, depression, or memory problems. Fortunately, there are various ways to alleviate these symptoms. Learn more:
https://clearskyhealth.com/weatherford/blog/2024/05/15/strokes-and-sleep-disruptions/

Strokes and Sleep Disruptions - ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Weatherford Sleep disruptions or a change in sleep patterns is common after suffering a stroke. More than half of stroke survivors experience problems sleeping in the months following their strokes. Insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorders, and sleep-wake cycle disorders can lead to a slower recovery, depres...

If you’re a woman, did you know that you’re at a higher risk of stroke than a man? As you’re likely taking care of those around you, be sure you’re taking care of yourself as well. The good news with strokes is that they can be prevented. Here are some tips from the American Heart Association:

• Evaluate and understand your risk factors. Some are controllable, while others aren’t.
• Know your blood pressure and keep it in a healthy range. High blood pressure is the No. 1 preventable cause of stroke.
• Talk to your physician about ways to improve your well-being and prevent a stroke.
• Know how to spot a stroke FAST: If you experience Face drooping, Arm weakness, or Speech difficulty, it’s Time to call 911.

Returning to the workplace is a big decision after you’ve experienced a stroke. The American Heart Association provides resources to help aid you in your actions. Click below for information to help you make short- and long-term plans while monitoring your steps step along the way.

https://www.stroke.org/en/life-after-stroke/recovery/return-to-work

Return to Work Returning to work after stroke can be a daunting decision for stroke survivors. Find resources to help guide and support you as you return to the workplace.

If you have had a stroke, you’re at a higher risk for a second one; however, stroke survivors have the power to reduce their risk of having another. To prevent another stroke, the American Stroke Association suggests:

• Work with your doctor to identify the cause of the stroke or previously unknown risk factors
• Keep follow-up appointments
• Take recommended medications and talk to your doctor before making any changes
• Manage risk factors with small, healthy steps for a big impact
• Connect with a group for support, information, and shared experiences
• Ask your doctor about a formal program to help you live a healthier lifestyle to include exercise, education, and counseling
• Call 911 if you see or have any stroke warning signs or symptoms

Individuals living with Parkinson’s disease may notice changes in their hand and finger motions. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, some tips to help improve hand coordination include:

• Exercising hands and fingers regularly
• Engaging in enjoyable activities that use the hands,
such as gardening or knitting
• Using toothbrushes, hairbrushes, or silverware with larger handles
• Using both hands for a task and not favoring one over the other
• Scheduling tasks that require more hand control for times
that you know you’ll be well rested and medications will be working optimally

Happy patient, happy staff! Meet Nina Wimberley of Breckenridge, Texas. Nina was admitted to ClearSky Weatherford after experiencing a hip fracture due to a fall from a ladder. Prior to the injury, she was completely independent and active in her community, working part-time at a local church and taking care of her 15-year-old dog.

When Nina came to ClearSky Weatherford, she needed assistance to stand and transfer to and from the bed and to a chair. She could move about 100 feet with moderate assistance but was unable to climb a single stair step. She required maximum to moderate assistance with most basic self-care tasks.

Nina actively participated in intensive occupational therapy and physical therapy services for seven days, which included gait training, balance training, and proper use of adaptive equipment. She was educated in energy conservation techniques, joint protection strategies, and a home exercise program. At the end of her rehabilitation stay, Nina was independent with all self-care and mobility tasks, including climbing 12 stair steps and safely transferring in and out of a vehicle. Nina was able to safely return home and continue her rehabilitation journey with home health services.

ClearSky Weatherford was honored to be part of her healing journey.

Individuals with long-term conditions or those who are recovering from serious injuries may face difficulties when trying to return to daily activities. If you are in such a situation, participating in occupational therapy may be beneficial. Learn more at:

https://clearskyhealth.com/weatherford/blog/2024/04/11/benefits-of-occupational-therapy/

Benefits of Occupational Therapy - ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Weatherford Individuals with long-term conditions or those who are recovering from serious injuries may face difficulties when trying to return to daily activities. If you are in such a situation, participating in occupational therapy may be beneficial.

ClearSky Weatherford's patients and staff experienced a "Total SOLAR eclipse of the heart" today.

Following an amputation, specialized rehabilitation can help enhance recovery and minimize functional disability. According to a national study, individuals who receive inpatient rehabilitation immediately following acute care experience reduced mortality, fewer subsequent amputations, greater acquisition of prosthetic devices, and greater medical stability.

Come out Monday, April 8th, to watch the Solar Eclipse with the therapy “Stars” of Weatherford.

Find Trey and be sure to ask him about our “Out of this Word National Ranking." You will entered in a drawing for a fun prize!

Eclipse glasses will be provided.
Feel free to bring your lawn chair.

For questions, reach out to Trey Adkins: (682) 290-0477

Haynes Physical Therapy BeyondFaith Hospice

If you or someone you know lives with Parkinson's disease, maintaining activities like work, hobbies, and social life are important, but can be challenging. An occupational therapist can help a person with Parkinson’s disease remain active by:

• Finding ways to adapt, simplify, or modify an activity
• Building on a person’s individual strengths to minimize limitations
• Changing or adapting the surroundings to support an activity

ClearSky Weatherford was excited to host our first family day last weekend. It was great seeing everyone and having a special visit from the Easter Bunny.

Come check out our hospital without leaving your home. Just scan to QR code with your camera on your phone to view a photo gallery of ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Weatherford, which includes our main treatment areas, cafeteria, and more. And as always, we’re available to provide in-person tours as well.