Our modern rehabilitation department provides residents with up to date equipment and services. Members of the rehabilitation team consists of a physiatrist, physical therapist, occupational therapists and speech therapist. The physiatrist (physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation) is the team leader. As needed, orthopedic and neurological consultations are provided.
Our highly trained staff deliver intense rehabilitative services to residents over a short period of time working towards returning them to their community with the highest level of independence. Services are designed specifically to meet individual residents needs and the needs of their family members to assist with their return as an active community member. Typically, our short term rehabilitation provides services for but not limited to the following:
Our dedicated staff are committed to restoring and enhancing the resident’s quality of life. Prior to discharge, the social worker and therapists work closely with the resident and family to ensure a smooth transition from our facility back to the community. The team will order, in advance, any necessary equipment to make the transition home easy and safe for the resident and family member.
Occupational therapy focuses on improving and strength, upper body flexibility and hand coordination. There are functions essential to performing activities of daily living (ADL’s) such as dressing, preparing meals, eating, performing personal hygiene, writing or competing work-related tasks. Our occupational therapists have extensive experience working with repetitive stress injuries, stroke limitations, and a host of serious chronic conditions including arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. Occupational therapy may also encompass treating various visual or cognitive difficulties that interfere with a patient’s ability to perform daily tasks.
The occupational therapist assesses functions and potential complications related to the movement of upper extremities, daily living skills, cognition, vision and perception. Occupational therapist help determine, with the patient, the best ways to perform daily living skills including showering, dressing and personal hygiene. The therapist will identify equipment for eating, dressing and bathing. The therapist will also look at skills to prepare the patient for a return to the home. These skills include:
Speech therapy is prescribed to help residents who are experiencing difficulty speaking, communicating their thoughts, or swallowing. Our certified speech pathologists have experience treating residents with neurodegenerative diseases, memory and movement disorders, traumatic brain injury and stroke limitations. The speech pathologist will assess the resident’s changes in thinking and communication such as:
Physical therapists are skilled in the treatment of problems that limit people’s ability to move, and help restore them to their maximum potential. Through a broad range of treatments, our physical therapists help patients find relief from pain, recover independence, and improve quality of life. Our physical therapists specialize in comprehensive services for patients with neurological or orthopaedic rehabilitation needs.
Since every patient is unique, every physical therapy program is specifically tailored to meet the needs of the individual patient.
The physical therapist is an expert in the examination and treatment of musculoskeletal and neuro-muscular problems that affect the abilities to move and function in daily life. Physical therapists help with transfers to and from the bed when a patient cannot walk alone. They train a person to begin to walk again and move more normally. Physical therapist will assess:
The extended traumatic brain injury rehabilitation program is designed to provide a link between hospital based treatment and community living. All TBI residents are cared for by a team of professionals who specialized in the care of trauma victims. Their goals are:
are provided by trained and experienced physicians, licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants who work had-in-hand to provide a highly intensive level of care. Many residents are admitted post hospitalization for short or long term rehabilitation services.
Our nursing staff is comprised of highly skilled professionals who deliver expert care in a variety of care areas.
Nursing Rehabilitation
This highly individualized program is delivered by competent Certified Nursing Assistants under the direction of the Registered Rehabilitation Nurse, as an adjunct to other therapies or on its own. Rehab nursing is integral in enabling our residents to recuperate faster, achieve and maintain a level of maximum functioning.
Hospice Nursing
Hospice is a concept of care that provides for the physical emotional and spiritual needs of residents living with life limiting illnesses. The goal is to ease the resident’s passage from life by alleviating pain and controlling symptoms in addition to supporting families and loved ones. Our caring staff in conjunction with the hospice team (contract with local hospice provider) deliver services.
Intravenous Therapies
Some residents, following discharge from hospital or while in our facility, continue to require intravenous fluids or medications. Our nurses competently and safely deliver these services in our home-like environment, thus decreasing the frequency of hospital visits while enhancing the resident’s quality of life.
Fall Prevention Team
Our interdisciplinary fall prevention team works proactively and vigilantly with our residents to decrease the numbers of falls and severity of injuries. Fall risks are continuously assessed and appropriate interventions put in place.
Decubitus Prevention
An aggressive Decubitus prevention program is in place where risks are assessed on admission and on a continuum. To this end, a number of techniques and or devices are utilized on an as needed basis. Devices may include but are not limited to specialty mattresses, pads, pillows, booties, guards, etc.
Wound Management
A variety of wounds are successfully managed here: surgical, vascular, and Decubitus ulcers among others.
The wound management team, headed by the surgeon, sees all wounds on a weekly basis and treatment decisions are made and implemented. The Diapulse Treatment System is one of the modalities of treatment being successfully utilized in our facility.
Pain Management
The right of all residents to have their pain managed is the responsibility of our staff. Our multidisciplinary approach includes pharmacological and non-pharmacological modalities, i.e. medications, physical exercises, positioning, application of ice/heat, ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator, relaxation techniques, music, etc.
Our medical team is comprised of Board-certified primary care physicians with specialties in cardiology, pulmonology and internal medicine. In addition to primary care physicians, a full complement of specialists including optometry, dental, ophthalmology, neurology, podiatry, psychiatry, physiatry and surgery provide on-site services to our residents. Our medical team is affiliated with local hospitals should a resident need hospitalization.
Our Nutrition Department creates therapeutic and nutritious meals while keeping in mind food preferences of our residents. Meals are served in a comfortable environment where residents receive needed attention.
Monthly diner’s club gatherings and barbecues on the patio during summer months offer a stimulating experience to our residents. We also offer on a regular basis a “fine dining” experience with “a-la-carte” service for lunch meals with cuisine from countries all over the world.
Our trained cooks and dietitians work together to enhance the eating pleasure of our residents while ensuring the therapeutic values of all meals served.
CONFIDANT
Social workers are the resident’s confidant and counselor. The social worker bridges the gap between the resident and society. The social worker assists the resident in ensuring a smooth transition to a new environment, whether placement is long or short term. Social workers also assist in resolving conflicts between resident and family member. Towards meeting their goals, social workers meet with the resident and/or family member within 24 hours of admission and provide an initial overview of the plan of care for the resident.
The social worker ensures that the residents spiritual, emotional, physical and mental health needs are met. The social worker coordinates and obtains all entitlement for the residents while in the facility and upon discharge. The social worker arranges for the resident, family member and /or significant other to participate in all comprehensive care plan meetings. The social worker provides on-going education on advance directives and community resources.
DISCHARGE PLANNER
Social workers ensure that all residents with discharge plans are safely discharged to the community with appropriate services in place. The interdisciplinary team meets prior to each residents discharge from the facility to discuss concerns, resident/family education and other issues that may need to be addressed prior to the resident re-entering the community.
The social worker arranges for home care services, durable medical equipment, follow up appointments with primary care physician and provides medications to the resident prior to discharge to the community. Resident, family members and/or significant others are included in all aspects of the discharge plan. After discharged to the community, the social worker contacts the resident via telephone to assess if all services are in place and if there are any obstacles that must be handled.
OTHER
On a yearly basis, the Social Work Department organizes an Annual Family and Friends Barbeque. All resident and families are invited to join the facility in a day of celebration with catered food, entertainment, gifts and fun activities.
Northern Manhattan Rehabilitation and Nursing Center’s therapeutic recreation department offers a variety of programs seven days a week to meet an individual’s interest and life-time hobbies. Activities are designed to both enhance quality of life and to promote independence and self expression by addressing emotional, social, leisure and religious needs of residents. Our trained staff strive to keep individuals connected with their communities by arranging trips off-site, and bringing community groups into the building. Other types of activities include clubs, entertainment, musical events, theme nights, arts, games, active exercises, and many more.
Activities are conducted in our spacious first floor recreation room, sunroom, patios, and lounges. Religious services are provided for all faiths and denominations. Residents actively participate in the Residents’ Council and Food Committee meetings which are held on a monthly basis.
DESCRIPTION OF SOME PROGRAMS
Art classes which help to increase cognitive abilities, eye-hand coordination and creativity. Art and craft projects range from making pillows, dolls, jewelry, jewelry boxes, belts, caps, ceramic figurines, and many more.
Music therapy stimulates, calms and brings a sense of social connection with others. Summer weekend concerts include Caribbean steel pan instruments, latino music, R&B soul, duets, and popular vocalists Dance therapy is well received. This program offers a change to stretch, reinforce range of motion, and self expression.
Tai Chi classes offer a sequence of slow and flowing exercise movements. This program is a wonderful way to condition the entire body, by reducing stress and it is great for pain management.
Current Events and daily news are discussed every day. Residents are informed and educated on what is happening in our City and the world. Newspaper and magazine articles are read with fruitful discussions. Also, special television news broadcasts are viewed and discussed.
Men’s Club promotes an opportunity for men to socialize and discuss topics of interests, watching sporting events, share life time memories, and ideas.
Gourmet Club offer residents an opportunity to put their love into tasting dishes that they prepare, enjoy the aroma from the kitchen, and reminisce about home cooking experiences.
Gospel Club provides a sense of self esteem, socializing, and entertainment. The gospel choir members perform for their peers during special events.
Additional programs include: