West Gables Rehabilitation Hospital

On June 19, 1865, the remaining enslaved Black Americans were freed in the United States. Today, we recognize the rich history and resilience of our black communities.

We begin National CNA Week by recognizing the dedicated, patient-focused certified nursing assistants, nursing assistants and patient care techs within our hospital network. By assisting patients with daily activities, monitoring vital signs and ensuring their well-being, you make a real difference in the lives of our patients.

Ashley Fogarty, previously a CNA, is now the chief nursing officer at Regency Hospital – Portage. She has always had a passion for science and caring for others. We asked Ashley why she became a CNA and what advice she has for current CNAs.

Read Ashley’s full Q and A here: https://careers.selectmedical.com/about-us/go-anywhere-with-us/ashley-fogartys-select-medical-career-journey/

To learn more about Select Medical’s network of hospitals, visit: https://www.selectmedical.com/about-us/

Women fall more often than men and experience three-quarters of all hip fractures, according to the CDC.

Fall-related injuries can drastically impact mobility and/or be life altering. The good news? Most falls are preventable.

Start with these simple tips: be aware of medication side effects, exercise to stay strong and check your vision regularly.

Read the inspiring journey of 26-year-old T’Shera Adderley as she regained her independence following a Guillain-Barré syndrome diagnosis: https://www.westgablesrehabhospital.com/patients-and-caregivers/success-stories/tshera-adderley/

Strokes can occur at any time and affect people of all ages and backgrounds. There are three ways to protect yourself from a stroke:

Assess your risks. If any of the following apply to you, consider yourself at increased risk for stroke: smoking, family history, obesity, inactive lifestyle, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or circulation problems.

Know your numbers. Visit your physician regularly for updates on your blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass index. They can also give you advice on how to improve your numbers.

Know the symptoms. Remember the acronym BE FAST, which stands for Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech and Time. If you experience any of these symptoms for five minutes or more, call 911.

Today we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving and protecting our country. May we never forget their courageous acts in the fight for freedom.

Stress is a common experience for everyone, but the American Psychological Association reports that women experience stress more often and at a higher rate than men. Take a look at the following ways to better cope with daily stress.

Patients experiencing dysphagia—difficulty swallowing—will undergo evaluation and assessment by a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). Additional evaluations may be recommended and performed. That might include a modified barium swallow study—a type of swallowing x-ray—or a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation where a scope fitted with a tiny camera is used to assess how well a patient swallows.

Treatment for dysphagia is then tailored to the patient’s specific type or cause of their swallowing disorder. Based on the findings, an SLP may recommend one or more of the following treatments.

A life-changing accident brought retiree and grandfather Herman Cook to West Gables Rehabilitation Hospital where he found hope and recovery.

Read his story: https://www.westgablesrehabhospital.com/patients-and-caregivers/success-stories/herman-cook/

May is , time to celebrate and spotlight the importance of women’s health. Managing stress to help improve the well-being of women is key.

Here are some ways to handle daily stress and practice self-acceptance.

Stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, the CDC points out, approximately 80% of all strokes can be prevented simply by making lifestyle changes and monitoring risk factors.

While you cannot control certain risk factors — age, race, family history — you can change elements of your lifestyle such as diet and exercise. Read more to learn how you can lower your risk of stroke.

William Marshall, a retired flower designer from New York City, faced a series of health complications that led him to West Gables Rehabilitation Hospital to reclaim his strength and independence.

Read his story: https://www.westgablesrehabhospital.com/patients-and-caregivers/success-stories/william-marshall/

Reacting quickly during a stroke can positively impact a patient’s rehabilitation. Kaitlyn Ners, senior clinical liaison with Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation – West Orange, answers frequently asked questions about stroke.

Read more about stroke and stroke recovery here: https://bit.ly/3V1KJ4q

As we conclude Hospital Week, we’re shining a spotlight on each team member’s important role in caring for our patients daily.

We asked our hospital teams to share a time “when caring came together” at their location. Here’s what they said.

To learn more about Select Medical’s network of hospitals, visit: https://www.selectmedical.com/about-us/

Approximately 1 in 25 adults annually experience dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing in the United States, according to the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). For those patients, texture-modified diets are commonly prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to improve swallowing safety.

Although texture-modified diets are safe, many patients following these diets find them unsatisfying, leading them to consume less food and drink. That is due to the lack of variety and sensory appeal in texture-modified foods and liquids.

Select Medical adopted the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) in 2020. IDDSI was created to standardize the terminology and testing methods used when describing the texture and thickness of food and drink. The Select Medical IDDSI Task Force is committed to creating positive change for dysphagia patients across its hospital network. Transitional solids – foods that start as one texture and change to another based on moisture or temperature change – can help support therapy goals. They also support the nutritional and psychosocial needs of patients with dysphagia and other health conditions that make it difficult to swallow.

Transitional foods include a range of items such as wafers, cheese puffs and veggie straws. These foods require minimal chewing or tongue movement. Once they mix with saliva or water, they break apart but retain some consistency in the mouth.

Select Medical’s Specialty Hospitals piloted the use of transitional solids in 2023. During that time, patients not only gained more autonomy over their snack options but also benefitted from increased exposure to different food textures. Gradually, as their swallowing improved, they were also able to feed themselves.

The 2023 pilot was successful and Select Medical is slated to roll out a transitional solids program across its Select Specialty hospitals later this year.

We celebrate National Hospital Week with great pride as we recognize the dedicated professionals who provide exceptional, quality care at our critical illness recovery and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals.

From coast-to-coast, our care teams focus on restoring the quality of life for patients and their families during the recovery journey. Please join us in honoring their compassion and dedication.

Learn more about Select Medical’s network of hospitals at: https://www.selectmedical.com/about-us/

As we continue to mark Nurses Week, here is an inspiring insight from our nursing professionals.

"Our nurses are truly unstoppable. We remind each other on a daily basis that we make a difference working together. We learn and grow as a team every day."

Life after stroke can mean accepting and adjusting to your current condition. Things have changed and it’s normal to feel that moving forward is difficult. You are not alone. Every year more than 795,000 in the United States have a stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here are some helpful tips and things to keep in mind after a stroke.

West Gables Rehabilitation Hospital

After a traumatic incident, Thomas Hairston defied the odds, regaining his mobility through determination and the care and expertise of his physician-led team at West Gables Rehabilitation Hospital.

Read his story here: https://www.westgablesrehabhospital.com/patients-and-caregivers/success-stories/thomas-hairston/

When you’re in the hospital, there’s nothing more reassuring than having someone come check on you. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) monitor patients throughout their shift for any change in condition and report back to the registered nurse (RN).

As part of the health care team, the LPNs contribute to the implementation of the patient’s care plan and assist with the evaluation of the patient’s response to nursing interventions.

The certified nursing assistant (CNA) role is vital to hospital teams. CNAs are responsible for assisting patients with activities of daily living, like eating and bathing, and monitoring vital signs, measuring intake and output in addition to other responsibilities.

Registered Nurses (RNs) are the backbone of health care delivery, according to the American Nurses Association.

“Nursing integrates the art and science of caring and focuses on the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and human functioning; prevention of illness and injury; facilitation of healing; and alleviation of suffering through compassionate presence.” (ANA (2021). Nursing:Scope and Standards of Practice, Fourth Edition, p.1)

Throughout Nurses Week, we’ll be highlighting our nursing team across the Select Medical network of hospitals. To learn more, visit: https://www.selectmedical.com/about-us/

Today we are honoring our patients, past and present, in celebration of Patient Experience Week 2024.

Check out our patient stories below which contain one common thread – a fighting spirit is alive in all of them, across our network of post acute care hospitals and physical therapy centers.

To learn more about Select Medical’s network of hospitals, visit: https://www.selectmedical.com/about-us/

West Gables Rehabilitation Hospital

Therapy animals serve an important role in our patients’ recovery process. These animals can assist with exercises that help improve a patient’s mobility and functioning as well as providing comfort and companionship. In recognition of their fur-tastic skills, here are some Paw-Stars that support our care teams and patients daily in our hospitals.

To mark Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, we caught up with patients previously featured in our success stories. John Esposito, Jr., who lost both legs in an accident at 31, was recently honored with Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation’s yearly Triumph of the Human Spirit Award for his positive attitude, fighting spirit and remarkable progress.

Read John’s continuing story here: https://www.kessler-rehab.com/patients-and-caregivers/success-stories/john-esposito-jr-update/

To learn more about Select Medical’s network of hospitals, visit: https://www.selectmedical.com/about-us/

We are inspired every day by the dedication of occupational therapists (OTs) nationwide. They are instrumental in helping patients on their path to recovery and independence.