Herzog’s Department of Geriatric Rehabilitation cares for patients recovering from strokes, fractures and surgery. Experienced physiotherapists, occupational and speech therapists help patients regain an optimum level of functioning so that they may return home as quickly as possible. There is a special emphasis on contact with the patient’s family, who receive guidance on how to cope with the patient’s return home, or advice other alternatives.
Geriatric doctors regularly check patients focusing on solving their specific problems while also maintaining their general health. In this way, Herzog Medical Center is able to prevent “revolving door syndrome” a common occurrence at other hospitals, where patients shortly return after their release due to other untreated problems. In addition, the nursing staff sees to patients’ general health and independence as a key element to their successful work. Nurses work with a multi-disciplinary medical staff in order to promote the overall health and quality of life patients and their families. Nurses assist patients in overcoming their handicaps while offering physical, emotional and social support. For example, when a patient has been trained to walk with a walker, a nurse will help them move around the Department with it, helping them to practice the skill they have just learned in physiotherapy – helping them to function more independently at home.