October 22, 2013

Curry Health Network adds Speech, Occupational Therapy services

Curry Health Network recently announced the addition of speech and occupational therapy now available at Curry General Hospital in Gold Beach, and at Curry Medical Center in Brookings.

"With services tailored to individual needs of both inpatients and outpatients, our partnership with Synertx allows us to offer innovative programs with a professional speech-language pathologist that address difficulties with speech, language and swallowing disorders," said Curry Health Network CEO Andrew Bair. "We've also added occupational therapy rehabilitation to our growing list of available services.

"Both speech and occupational therapies are also important components of our Swing Bed program in Gold Beach," he added.

Swing Bed is a program covered by Medicare that is an alternative to prolonged acute hospitalization or short term nursing facility placement for post-acute extended care. The swing bed program at Curry General Hospital provides skilled nursing care and rehabilitation therapy services. "There are no facilities in Gold Beach that provide our swing bed therapies that allow patients to get the care they need right near home, and near their friends and family," Bair said.

Occupational therapy provides experience and practice with actual tasks to enable patients to participate to the fullest extent possible in activities in their daily living environment.

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, occupational therapy may be of benefit to those with work-related injuries including lower back problems; limitations following a stroke or heart attack; arthritis, MS, or other serious chronic conditions; broken bones or other injuries or accidents; burns, spinal cord injuries, or amputations; vision or cognitive problems that threaten the ability to drive; and more.

The new therapy services are available by appointment at Curry General Hospital in Gold Beach, and at the Network's clinic in Brookings, Curry Medical Center. Referring physicians and patients may call 541-247-3134 for an appointment at either location.

"We're very happy to offer these vital health care services to our community," said Bair.