The primary goal of rehabilitation is to restore the individual to their greatest potential and maximise independence.

Rehabilitation is concerned not only with physical recovery but also with reintegration of the person into the community. The central aspect of rehabilitation is provision of a coordinated program by a specialised, interdisciplinary team of health professionals that is developed in consultation with the patient and their family/caregiver. Successful rehabilitation involves adopting a broader perspective that includes physical, social and psychological functioning.

Other factors that influence successful rehabilitation include:

1.    a positive attitude and approach

2.    individual assessment of the patient and caregiver

3.    team work (ie. cooperation of professionals, patient, family members etc)

4.    promotion of independence by:
       a. special and general therapeutic techniques
       b. optimising the environment

5.    should begin as soon as possible after the incident.The major goal of rehabilitation programs for older people is to assist them to manage person ADL’s without assistance from another person.