Family contributes to the treatment team by providing information about pre-injury functioning, sharing observations that will help everyone better understand the problems at hand, helping to set goals and evaluate progress, providing emotional support to the patient, and assisting with discharge planning. For example, an important goal of each treatment team is to develop a clear picture of the patient prior to his or her injury. This includes collecting information relating to prior goals and aspirations, interests, communication style, sense of humor, work habits, social relationships, academic abilities and coping style. This information is used to help the team better understand how to approach treatment. Family members are generally the best resources to assist in addressing these issues.

Family involvement is also very important because patient functioning is often different in rehabilitation programs when compared to unstructured environments such as those at home or in the community. Family members often help to define these differences, which need to be evaluated during facility-based treatment. After all, therapeutic goals are not strictly designed to help the patient function better in the rehabilitation setting alone, but are intended to help the individual succeed in more normalized environments.

Each patient�s family is an essential member of the treatment team. We cannot develop and implement an effective rehabilitation plan without your input, observation and participation in therapy sessions. A member of the treatment team will be selected to coordinate observation and training sessions. Please be aware that our rehabilitation professionals may initially limit your participation until they have had the opportunity to complete their evaluations and provide you with training necessary to ensure your safety as well as the patients.