Rehabilitation Services

A Multidimensional Approach to Full Recovery and Returning to Everyday Life

Lake Charles Memorial Rehabilitation focuses on physical, occupational and speech therapy services for individuals suffering from a variety of physical and neurological conditions or injuries. Our team of therapists uses a one-on-one approach in both the assessment and treatment of patients. Whether from a sports injury or medical condition, quality rehabilitative care can make a difference in a successful recovery.

Acute Rehabilitation

Acute therapists work closely with physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other hospital staff to improve the functional status of patients upon admittance and during their hospital stay. Acute physician therapists help patients regain mobility and stamina after surgery, which helps prevent pneumonia and skin breakdowns.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Following a heart disease diagnosis, heart attack or cardiovascular surgery, cardiac rehab is a program designed for not only the patient, but also their families to help the patient get back to the best possible heart health. Memorial’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program uses a multidisciplinary approach to teach cardiac patients and their families about the disease process, risk factor modification, heart-healthy eating, and how to exercise safely to improve both their heart health and their quality of life.

Inpatient Rehabilitation

Lake Charles Memorial Health System Meredith Miller Independence Walk is one of the most comprehensive rehabilitation facilities anywhere in southwest Louisiana. The Independence Walk is an innovative tool that uses a home-like environment to teach patients how to overcome challenges in real-world situations. Individuals therapy stations mimic the grocery store, laundry room and bedroom. A full-size car sits on the second floor of the Atrium of the main campus to help patients navigate entering and exiting a vehicle, as well as a driving simulator to identify and address any patient deficits that would inhibit safe driving.

The Meredith Miller Independence Walk was a project funded by Lake Charles Memorial’s own employees, who raised and donated $95,000, along with a gift from Joe Miller, Sr., who named the project after his late wife, Meredith.

Outpatient Rehabilitation

Outpatient rehabilitation focuses on the use of physical, occupational and speech therapy to help patients who are suffering from a variety of on-going physical and neurological conditions, as well as aid in recovery after a sports injury or cardiovascular surgery. Services include, but are not limited to, orthopedic injury treatment, balance and fall prevention, strength training, self-care and dressing training, lymphedema control methods, swallowing evaluation and treatment, and verbal and auditory processing assessments. Memorial also offers rehab for those affected by Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is one of the multidisciplinary approaches used to by our rehab team to ensure full recovery after a medical event. Where physical therapy focuses on basic body function, occupational therapy focuses on enabling patients to be successful in everyday activities, such as, showering, dressing and preparing food.

Services include, but are not limited to:

Adaptive technique and equipment training
Injury and post-operative hand therapy
Lymphedema control activities
Self-care and dressing training
Upper body function training

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is one of the tools offered through our many rehabilitation services to help patients return to normal life after suffering from an injury, trauma, stroke, cardiac event, or neurological disorder.

Services include, but are not limited to:

Ambulation, mobility and transfer training
Balance and fall prevention training
Orthopedic injury treatment
Post-operative return to function
Sport-specific injury rehabilitation
Therapeutic strength training

Speech Therapy

Communication is a vital part of everyday life. Speech therapy is another fundamental aspect of the multifaceted rehab approach at LCMHS. Speech therapy focuses on addressing speech and communications issues to help patients speak and communicate clearly.

Services include, but are not limited to:

Assessment & treatment of communication disorders
Cognitive retraining
Swallowing evaluations and treatment
Verbal & auditory processing assessment

Additional Rehabilitation Services

In addition to the services mentioned above, Memorial also offers additional services and assistance to rehab patients, either through the health system or in partnership with other agencies.

Services include: