Mountain Valley Regional Rehabilitation Hospital has been named in the top 10% of inpatient rehabilitation facilities in the United States for the 12th year in a row. The hospital’s care was cited as being patient-centered, effective, efficient and timely. We strive to deliver this higher level of care as our standard. We have graciously been recognized as a top-performing facility for many years now, but we never take it for granted. Our staff is exceptionally passionate about helping patients … [Read more...] about Mountain Valley Rehabilitation Hospital Recognized Among Top in Nation
Mountain Valley Regional Rehabilitation Hospital
Stroke: Preventable, Treatable, Beatable
Every 40 seconds, someone in America has a stroke. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, and the leading cause of adult long-term disability. It can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of race, sex or age. But, annually, more women suffer from strokes then men, and twice as many African Americans suffer from strokes than Caucasians. According to the CDC, stroke kills about 140,000 Americans each year- that’s one out of every 20 deaths. And here are … [Read more...] about Stroke: Preventable, Treatable, Beatable
Preventing Falls in Older Adults
Every year, more than one out of four adults age 65 or older fall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of those who fall, more than 800,000 are hospitalized because of injuries, usually to the head or hip. Once a person experiences a fall, it can limit mobility and independence. This, in turn, decreases the individual’s ability to perform everyday tasks. And even if a fall doesn’t result in an injury, it can still cause fear in an individual, which can hinder his or … [Read more...] about Preventing Falls in Older Adults
Recovering from Illness, Injury with Aquatic Therapy
While many individuals at one time or another have enjoyed floating or swimming in pools for fun, pools can play an important role in rehabilitation through the use of aquatic therapy. Aquatic therapy is when physical therapy is provided in a pool under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. At Mountain Valley Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, physical therapists provide aquatic therapy to help those recovering from disabilities caused by injuries, illnesses or chronic medical … [Read more...] about Recovering from Illness, Injury with Aquatic Therapy
Trekking to Good Health
If hiking is a fitness goal for the New Year, you may want to consider using trekking poles. Trekking poles look like ski poles and are standard equipment among hikers. They’re a great way to provide stability and support on all types of terrain when they are fitted and used properly. When selecting trekking poles, hikers have a variety of options. Two poles can be used in tandem for stability, or one pole can be used for flatter terrains. Whether using one or two poles, however, a hiker … [Read more...] about Trekking to Good Health
How Family Caregivers Can Care for Themselves
Caring, giving, sharing. The holidays can bring out the best in most of us. But for family caregivers, this is everyday life. Caring for a loved one can be a rewarding experience. But it also can be very stressful on the caregiver, especially if that individual is trying to manage a career, family and children in addition to the caregiving responsibilities. The most important piece of advice to give family caregivers is to care for themselves first. It’s similar to oxygen masks in … [Read more...] about How Family Caregivers Can Care for Themselves
Comparing Physical Therapy and Opioids
For many of us, we know the nuisance of a minor pain. If allergies cause us to have a sinus headache, we take a decongestant. Back pain from a weekend of yard work? Ibuprofen may do the trick. But what about those who suffer from chronic pain that lasts longer than six months? No one wants to live in pain, but we also have to be careful not to put our health at risk to be pain-free. Americans have increasingly been prescribed opioids – painkillers like Vicodin, … [Read more...] about Comparing Physical Therapy and Opioids
After a Stroke — Finding the Right Words
It’s common to struggle at times to find the right word during a conversation. But for an individual who has had a stroke, finding the right word may be much more difficult. Aphasia can be a side effect of a stroke, which can affect a person’s ability to communicate by impairing the ability to speak, read, listen or write. It doesn’t affect intelligence, however. When a person with aphasia has word-finding difficulty, it’s called anomia. Anomia is a common symptom of aphasia that makes it … [Read more...] about After a Stroke — Finding the Right Words
Personal Commitments Improve Patient Care
As a nurse at Mountain Valley Regional Rehabilitation Hospital (MVRRH), I recall many long nights studying as a nursing student at Northland Pioneer College in Show Low. When I selected nursing as my major, I knew the classwork would be intense, but it didn’t intimidate me. I was entering a field where people’s lives literally depended on me, and that’s a sobering responsibility. I knew it was my job to learn as much as I could to help my future patients. The more I could learn, the better … [Read more...] about Personal Commitments Improve Patient Care