Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation services are an important part of health care in Nunavut. Rehabilitation can help people regain or improve their ability to live, work and function independently in their communities. It helps people lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Rehabilitation services are based out of Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet, and the Kitikmeot region receives visits from a rehabilitation team from Yellowknife. Community Therapy Assistants offer specific rehabilitation services to Nunavummiut in Cape Dorset, Igloolik, Pangnirtung and Rankin Inlet.
The Department of Health provides the following rehabilitation services free of charge to all Nunavut residents with a Nunavut Health Care Card:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy helps people develop or regain mobility through physical means. Physiotherapists treat people of all ages with a variety of physical conditions. These conditions include: injuries to bones, joints and muscles, problems with balance or coordination, long-term disease, and developmental delay.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy helps people take part in all life’s activities. Occupational therapists help people who are having trouble doing certain activities due to an injury, illness, long-term condition, aging, a mental health condition, or a developmental condition.
Speech-Language Pathology
Speech-Language Pathologists help improve communication difficulties. Communication includes reading, writing, singing, speaking, sign language and using computers to understand or speak to others. They also help people with eating and swallowing difficulties.
Audiology
Audiologists assess, treat and prevent hearing loss or disorders. Audiologists work with people who have hearing loss from birth, illness, exposure to loud noise over a long period of time, or from having many ear infections.
Community Therapy Assistants
Community Therapy Assistants are an important part of the rehabilitation team in Nunavut. They help to carry out treatment programs planned by rehabilitation professionals. They work out of their community’s health centre.
Getting Rehabilitation Services
You do not need a referral from a doctor or nurse to get rehabilitation services. You can call the rehabilitation office to set up an appointment.
If you live in the Baffin Region, call Timimut Ikajuqsivik at (867) 975-5970.
If you live in the Kivalliq Region, call the Wellness Centre at (867) 645-8077.
If you live in the Kitikmeot Region, call the Kitikmeot Health Centre at (867) 983-4500.