Restorative Nursing

Also known as nursing-based rehabilitative care

Restorative nursing is ordered and overseen by nurses with consultation from therapists. This is different than therapy where therapy professionals provide treatment overseen by physicians. Typically, restorative nursing is needed due to a decline in skills due to chronic disease, disuse or other physiological factors. Goals of restorative nursing include restoring loss in function, maintaining restored function as well as preventing further loss in function.

Benefits of Restorative Nursing

Delay decline in function
Improve quality of life by helping to maintain independence as much as possible

Elements of Restorative Nursing

Training exercises, treatment and activities for individuals either:

Recently discharged from physical, occupational or speech therapy
Upon admission if restorative needs are present and physical, occupational or speech therapy is not appropriate
At anytime during a nursing home stay when restorative needs arise

Areas of focus

Ambulation
Prosthesis care (excluding dentures)
Splint/brace care
Bed mobility
Communication
Dressing and grooming
Eating and swallowing
Range of motion, active or passive
Transfers
Bowel and bladder functions

Indicators that often trigger Restorative Nursing

Balance issues
Falls
Decline in range of motion
Decline in activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Bed mobility
- Eating
- Transferring
- Toilet use

Testimonials

"Hi, I'm Norma, and I loved everything about my stay at White River Lodge. The people that work there are so nice, the food is great, and the therapists do a good job. I will definitely come back here if I ever need to and I recommend it to anyone needing to go to a nursing facility. I am a people person and I can tell that the staff like people too and I have really enjoyed getting to know them. I want to thank the staff and I really appreciate everything done for me during my stay."

Norma T.