Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan Launches COVID-19 Rehab Recovery Program

DETROIT — For many people whose bodies have been wracked by COVID-19, the road to recovery is just beginning once they leave the hospital or recover at home. There are many issues COVID-19 patients face after recovering from the virus that can range from physical to cognitive and emotional. The Detroit Medical Center’s Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan’s new COVID-19 Rehab Recovery Program focuses on the unique needs of patients who have recovered from COVID-19.

After prolonged hospitalization and weeks on a ventilator, COVID-19 survivors may have difficulty walking, climbing stairs, breathing, talking, swallowing and performing other daily tasks that most people take for granted. In addition, periods of long isolation and facing a life threatening illness can result in anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Starting a rehab program soon after COVID-19 recovery, can help these patients get back to their normal lives and activities as quickly as possible. As southeast Michigan’s only freestanding, academic, rehabilitation hospital, RIM’s rehabilitation professionals are skilled in treating all aspects of recovery from COVID-19.

“We are grateful for the front line medical providers for the critical role they played in saving these patients lives. The surge of patients has now moved to rehabilitation hospitals. We are the new face of the front line workers and our job is to help these patients live their lives again, “said Patty Jobbitt, chief executive officer of the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM).

The program will initially be available at three of RIM’s outpatient locations: RIM’s Main Campus (261 Mack, Detroit) RIM’s Northwest Detroit Center (17330 Schaefer Hwy) and RIM’s Sterling Heights Center (33464 Schoenherr Rd.). The program will expand to additional RIM outpatient locations by July.

An online assessment is available at RIMrehab.org/COVIDrehab for patients to see if they could benefit from RIM’s COVID-19 Rehab Recovery Program. A prescription from a physician is needed to begin therapy. For more information, call 313-745-1100 or email at RIMrehab.org/appointments.