Outpatient programs at HSC serve people who have had an illness or accident and are continuing their recovery process and rebuilding lives. It also is for those who have suffered work-or sports-related injuries and require therapy or coaching on body mechanics. Our modern, bright treatment spaces offer state-of-the-art equipment and a highly skilled rehabilitation team. Depending on a patient's needs, the team may include a:

The Aphasia Book Club is designed to help individuals living with aphasia improve their quality of life through reading. Meets weekly on Wednesdays from 3-4:30 p.m., February 21, 2007 through April 4, 2007 at the Hospital for Special Care. Click here for more information.

This six week course is intended for adult members of the community who have language disorders such as aphasia. Click here for more information, class schedule, and registration form.

Serves any person from the community in need of rehabilitation evaluation, therapies, psychology/neuropsychology services as a result of accident, illness, or work- or sports-related injury.

Provides consultations, evaluations (testing), second opinions and comprehensive treatment programs for adolescents, adults and seniors with acquired brain injury, dementia, or learning disability. Specializes in evaluation and treatment for individuals experiencing difficulty adjusting to a physical disability.

Serves individuals with disabling lung diseases who are medically stable but need education and rehabilitation to become more functional.

Aquatic therapy is physical or occupational therapy delivered to the patient in a pool by licensed physical or occupational therapy staff. At Hospital for Special Care, we offer individualized care that is specifically designed for each patient. The benefit of an aquatic therapy program is the opportunity to address many problems without the same physical demand on the body as a program on land would require. In the water, the weight of the body is decreased to a fraction of the patient's true body weight. Joints are not subjected to the same pressure, and are able to exercise and walk without the pain or balance issues that may normally be present.

Reasons to participate in aquatic therapy include fitness, balance, strengthening, reduction of tone, and pain reduction. Patients who respond well to aquatic therapy include those with the following problems/diagnoses: arthritis, orthopedic injuries, chronic pain, sprains and strains, work injuries, auto accidents, pre- and post-surgical rehab, balance or walking dysfunctions, spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological conditions.

Upon completion of the therapy program, the therapist will provide each patient with an individual program that the patient can continue to follow on his/her own. Patients have an opportunity to continue at the Aquatic Rehabilitation and Fitness Center (ARC) as a community member and have access to the same equipment that was used during therapy.

Requirements for aquatic therapy include a signed prescription from a physician including a diagnosis and reason for treatment, no recent history of bowel or bladder incontinence, and adherence to the rules of the Aquatic Rehabilitation and Fitness Center at HSC. For information on ARC, including community membership services click here. To make an appointment for aquatic therapy or to address any questions, please call 860-832-6258

We invite you to learn more about our patient outcomes and to review information about admissions for patients and for professionals. A patient, physician or a community agency may make a referral to the outpatient programs. Our physiatrists are available for initial consultations and evaluations.

To make an appointment for Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy or Speech Therapy - please call (860) 832-6258.

To make an appointment with a Physician in Outpatient - please call (860) 827-4924.

For new referrals to psychology and neuropsychology, please call (860) 827-4751

To make follow-up appointment for psychology and neuropsychology, please call (860) 223-2761 ext 5801