Ten Factors in Choosing Day Treatment Over Traditional Outpatient Services

1. Interdisciplinary planning/information: Weekly client-centered meetings of RETURN!�s brain injury treatment team allow for thorough discussion and planning. In most outpatient centers, therapists will rarely meet formally for this purpose and lack input from a Physician, Neuropsychologist, social worker, and pre-vocational specialist
2. Poor client initiation and memory: Problems in these areas can translate into missed visits, poor follow-through on assignments and tasks, and ineffective interventions. RETURN!�s daily structured scheduling, consistent reminders by day treatment staff and practiced compensatory strategies help to keep this from becoming a problem.
3. Level of Cognitive Disorganization in clients with brain injury: This could cause clients to show up for appointments at the wrong time and create overall confusion. Supervision by RETURN! staff helps to mediate this.
4. Experience with clients who have Acquired Brain Injury: Many outpatient centers do not specialize in this complex area. RETURN! therapists and counselors currently average 8+ years of Brain Injury experience.
5. Poor deficit awareness in clients: Poor insight can lead to a lack of motivation, limited focus, and possibly unsafe behaviors. Systematic awareness training and 1:1 supervision provided by RETURN! staff help in this regard.
6. Positive management of Inappropriate behavior: Poor impulse control and impaired judgement can lead to negative relationships with therapists, friends, and family. RETURN! counselors can be helpful in assisting those working closely with the client to create more effective ways of living.
7. Psychological/Behavioral counseling availability: Living with a Brain Injury can be a very stressful experience and rife with emotional challenges. Our counselors provide on-going care to assist in managing current concerns and anxiety about the future.
8. Ability to work as a team to deal with clients� problem� behaviors: Many survivors of head injury develop ineffective behaviors that may result in dismissal from many outpatient centers. Our staff understand the neurological nature of these behaviors and receive support and counsel as to how best to manage them.
9. Depression/Frustration in clients: These emotional states can easily lead to poor effort, emotional distress, and even "dropping out" of rehabilitation. Our focus on returning to work, ability to provide adjustment counseling, and overall structure help to maintain our clients� motivation and effort.
10. Fatigue management: Many outpatient centers will "stack" therapies (OT, PT and Speech�one right after the other). Many clients cannot manage that level of intensity, due to mental and physical fatigue. With day treatment, one can pace their activities to manage such concerns.