How do I decide I need rehabilitation?
- Identify the health challenge or problem.
- Be able to describe the health challenge or problem and how it impacts your life.
- Recognize these issues as something rehabilitation can treat.
- Identify the rehabilitation professional(s) who can help you.
- Ask for a referral from your doctor, if needed.
After I decide I need rehabilitation, what do I do?
- If possible, you should first make an appointment with your doctor or HIV specialist to discuss your rehabilitation needs. Your doctor knows your medical history, can help to pinpoint the nature of your problem and the rehabilitation professional(s) needed, and can help you to find rehabilitation services in your area (if available).
- In case your doctor is not aware of how rehabilitation can help HIV+ people, you should arrive at your doctors’ appointment prepared to tell your doctor about your problem, how your problem impacts your life, and which rehabilitation profession you think might be able to help you. You could bring this e-guide with you or tell your doctor about it and where it can be found on the internet.
- If you cannot access a doctor, you can try to find rehabilitation services on your own using the tips outlined later in this chapter.