SCI: Adjustment & Future Planning

Presented by Anne Leclaire

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Video Runtime: 92 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 21 Minutes

A spinal cord injury is a devastating and life-changing injury that affects not only the individual with the injury but the entire family. The road to recovery can be lengthy and complicated and will be unique, depending on the person’s level of injury. In addition to overcoming the physical challenges associated with paralysis, the individual has many psychosocial hurdles that must be addressed. The initial hospitalization and rehabilitation stays are short, and the person must navigate through much information during this time. With all the education and therapy, there is barely time for the person to internalize and process all the life changes and emotions associated with this new injury. This course will address the many psychosocial adjustments that these patients and families face and how the rehabilitation nurse can help foster adjustment through this transitional period. Challenges associated with aging with a spinal cord injury are explored.

Meet your instructor

Anne Leclaire

Anne graduated with a Master of Science-Nursing from the University of Phoenix and has worked in the field of rehabilitation nursing for most of her career. She started as a staff nurse in inpatient rehabilitation at Weldon Center for Rehabilitation in Springfield, Massachusetts and then moved to Madison, Wisconsin, at…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Psychosocial Effects

1. Psychosocial Effects

Recovering from a spinal cord injury is often an emotional rollercoaster. This chapter will explore the psychosocial and emotional hurdles that the individual faces as the realization of the extent of their injury is understood.

Family Roles and Relationships

2. Family Roles and Relationships

Recovery from a spinal cord injury is a journey that is most successful with the support of family and friends. This support may come in the form of assisting with physical deficits or addressing emotional needs. This chapter will explore family involvement during the rehabilitation process, adjustment period, and planning for the future.

Transitions

3. Transitions

The recovery from a spinal cord injury can be long, challenging, and filled with hopes of functional recovery. This chapter will discuss the transitions of care facing the patient and family as the spinal cord injured person moves beyond the acute hospitalization phase into their new reality.

Community Reintegration

4. Community Reintegration

The ultimate goal of rehabilitation is to integrate individuals back into the community to lead a productive and meaningful life. This chapter reviews how vocational, financial, and community resources promote community reintegration and assist the patient to move on with his/her life.

Aging with SCI

5. Aging with SCI

Due to advances in medicine, the life expectancy for someone with a spinal cord injury is slightly less than the average non-spinal-cord-injured adult. People are now living 30-plus years post injury, something unheard of in years past. The aging process brings additional medical and physical challenges that the individual needs to overcome. This chapter will address problems that result from the aging process.