No one plans on injury, illness or the negative effects of aging. IPMR aims to soften the blows and restore abilities and confidence.
In 1950, the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation opened its doors as a nonprofit center for physical medicine and rehabilitative care. Founded by far-sighted individuals who were focused on optimum recovery from disabling injuries and diseases, the organization offers outpatient care throughout central Illinois, with offices in Bartonville, Chillicothe, Metamora, Morton, Pekin, Peoria and Washington.
Committed to Serve
IPMR provides rehabilitation and treatment services for disabilities, vestibular balance, cancer, concussion, spinal cord injuries, women’s and men’s health issues, low vision, stroke, joint replacement, pain management and other injuries related to nerves, muscles, bones and the brain. It is CARF-accredited—a designation by the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (carf.org) which shows a commitment to continually improve services, encourage feedback and serve the community.
IPMR physicians practice at all four Peoria-area hospitals and conduct office hours at a number of outlying hospitals. Its team of specialists includes physicians and a physician assistant, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, massage therapists, nutritionists, an acupuncturist and a psychologist. All specialists are trained in the organization’s new STAR program for cancer rehabilitation. STAR—Survivorship Training and Rehab—aims to relieve the physical and mental difficulties associated with cancer and cancer treatment based on individual goals that focus on increasing strength and energy, managing pain, and improving function.
Programs of Support
The IPMR Return to Work Center, located at 6501 N. Sheridan Road, offers specialized equipment and personnel to assist workers and employers with a variety of services, including pre-employment screening, functional capacity evaluation, injury recovery and injury prevention training. Jonathan, a Return to Work Center patient, says, “I wanted to be accepted as the same hard worker I was before my accident, and thanks to my return-to-work therapy at IPMR, I can do the same work that I did before.”
Driving evaluations at IPMR are often requested by physicians, family members or schools. A new state-of-the-art driving simulator provides evaluations that include testing and counseling. Participants may be referred to therapy in order to overcome strength or balance issues, and adaptive equipment may be recommended to support those with disabilities.
For more than 32 years, IPMR Senior World has operated on Kumpf Boulevard in downtown Peoria. This licensed adult day service provides social activities, nutritious meals and medical monitoring. Caregivers receive assistance and support from staff, allowing them to keep jobs or keep up with family and personal obligations without ignoring the health and well-being of their loved one. The socialization at IPMR Senior World is a positive experience for attendees. “Senior World brings me peace of mind”, says Carol, wife of one participant.
Partnerships & Additional Services
People facing difficult healthcare challenges like cancer and stroke recovery are finding great benefits in social health communities. It’s very empowering to be emotionally supported by peers, family and friends that have been through a similar health journey. A new partnership with OneHealth allows IPMR patients to network and gain support for common health issues. They can track daily progress and receive encouragement from friends to meet their goals, and the website offers tools like an emotional check-in, which can send updates to their support group.
IPMR also treats speech issues in children and adults, with a focus on language, voice, fluency, swallowing (dysphagia), aphasia and other disorders. Many children come to IPMR through its early intervention program. “IPMR has helped Lydia grow in so many ways,” said one patient’s mother recently. “We can’t thank them enough.”
In addition, IPMR works in the community to provide programs on fall prevention, concussion education, lymphedema education and memory disorder awareness, as well as exercise programs that promote socializing and wellness.
For more than 60 years, patients have been the center of IPMR’s nonprofit mission to improve function and quality of life. Donations to the IPMR Foundation help fund these many valuable services. Learn more at ipmr.org. iBi
