Physical therapy aims to restore physical abilities and motor skills through a specialized program of training and exercise geared to the individual’s level of disability and capabilities.

Occupational therapy classifies life tasks or occupations as functional mobility, personal self-care, home management, leisure and work. Our goal is to return the resident to daily life and home as quickly as possible, and to help them to learn the skills they need to be self-sufficient. For older adults, our rehabilitation team tries to enhance their ability to function, especially in the routine tasks of daily living, such as climbing stairs and personal self-care.

Speech patterns can change with age or physical impairment. Our programs focus on learning to communicate again, using adaptive devices and addressing swallowing issues or difficulties.

We specialize in caring for stroke recovery patients. The following is provided as reference information only. Please see the Bridgewater Center Disclaimer

A stroke is a life-threatening event in which the brain's oxygen supply is cut off. A stroke can affect the senses, speech, behavior, thought patterns, and memory. It may also result in paralysis, coma, and death. What causes a stroke? A stroke occurs when an artery to the brain bursts or becomes clogged. Brain tissue deprived of oxygen dies within minutes. High blood pressure, and the build-up of fatty plaque in the arteries, increase the risk of stroke. A stroke may happen suddenly, but it often follows years of a slow buildup of fatty deposits inside the blood vessels. A small percentage of strokes are preceded by TIAs. These mini strokes can occur days, weeks or even months before a major stroke. TIAs frequently last less than 5 minutes, with symptoms similar to a full-fledged stroke. Damage of a stroke is usually limited to one side of the brain, and each half of the brain controls functions on the opposite side of the body. The specific functions disrupted by a stroke also are determined by the portion of the brain that is affected. The degree of recovery from a stroke varies greatly. Some people make a good recovery with little or no lasting effects, while others may be virtually helpless. A good deal depends upon prompt treatment to minimize the brain damage. Damaged nerve and brain tissue does not regenerate, but other parts of the brain may be trained to take over the functions of the damaged area.

• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm and leg, usually on one side of the body
• Difficulty talking or understanding speech
• Dimness or loss of vision, particularly in only one eye
• Unexplained dizziness
• Sudden, severe headache

• Check blood pressure regularly, keeping it under control
• Eat a well-balanced diet; low in saturated fats and cholesterol
• If you have diabetes, keep it well under control; this is a high risk factor
• No Smoking
• Alcohol in moderation
• Ask your doctor about taking low doses of aspirin

Disclaimer: The following sites are suggested resources for learning more about healthy aging and elder care. CFW Healthcare Group does not endorse any of these sites. We include them as references for those who wish to find more information.

www.stroke.org
The National Stroke Association's guidelines on prevention, treatment, and rehab to reduce the incidence and impact of stroke.

www.strokeassociation.org
Every 53 seconds, someone in America has a stroke. The American Stroke Association offers warning signs of stroke and an A-Z guide to heart and stroke. Learn about prevention, treatment, and services to stroke victims.

www.biausa.org
Brain Injury Association of America

Recovering from joint replacement surgery takes time. At Bridgewater, we can provide you with a rehabilitation program that will help make your recovery easier and faster. Your doctor and our physical and occupational therapists will provide you with specific instructions on wound care, pain control, diet and exercise. For more information, visit: www.aaos.org

At Bridgewater, our professional skilled nursing team can provide short term rehabilitation services for as long as you need help. We treat a wide variety of post operative and rehabilitation needs, such as: knee and hip replacement, other orthopedic surgeries, stroke recovery,Parkinson's Disease,spinal cord injuries, general de-conditioning as a result of hospitalizations, and muscular/sketetal disorders.

Upon admission, the treatment team evaluates the resident’s condition and needs, and devises a Comprehensive Care Plan detailing each discipline’s interventions to meet the resident’s holistic needs. The goal is to promote the resident’s health and function at the maximum attainable levels. The team meets quarterly and upon any significant change in the residents’ status. The resident and /or their family are invited to attend these meetings to take part in the comprehensive care plan.

Bridgewater Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing 159-163 Front Street Binghamton, New York 13905 Tel: (607) 722-7225 Fax: (607) 772-0061 E-mail: info@bwrehab.com       Privacy Statement © 2006 Bridgewater Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing