Skilled Nursing &Rehabilitation Centers

Rae-Ann Suburban Debuts New Therapy Gym & In-House Therapy TeamR ae-Ann Suburban has a

modern, new therapy gym for physical, occupational, and speech therapy that Rae-Ann owner John Griffiths calls “a dream come true and the culmination of years of planning.”

Rae-Ann Suburban specializes in orthopedic rehabilitation and has one of the area’s most accomplished teams of wound care specialists. Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough participated in a

ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility.

“Many of our staff, patients, and professionals helped us design and build this space to be the most functional, beautiful, and advanced therapy facility in the region,” Griffiths explained. “Eighty-eight percent of our patients are able to be rehabilitated and discharged with an average length of stay of less than 30 days.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

• Rae-Ann Suburban & The Belvedere Welcome New Medical Directors

• Nurse Practitioners Help Rae-Ann Deliver Quality Care

• Rae-Ann West Park Celebrates Nursing Home Week

News for Residents, Families, and Friends of Rae-Ann Summer/Fall 2016

Continued Inside

U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

have awarded the prestigious 5-Star Overall Rating to Rae-Ann Westlake and Rae-Ann Suburban for 2016.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services created the 5-Star Quality Rating System to help consumers, families, and caregivers

identify nursing facilities with above average quality. Health inspections, staffing, and quality measures are used to determine the ratings.

Rae-Ann Westlake and The Belvedere of Westlake also received perfect state surveys from the Ohio Department of Health.

Rae-Ann Westlake and Rae-Ann Suburban Awarded 5-Star

Overall Ratings from Medicare

“This new facility and its cutting-edge equipment will enable our therapy team to continue to provide the highest level of rehabilitation care on the West side and facilitate shorter, more effective post-acute care stays.”

The new therapy gym offers the only Omni® VR Virtual Rehabilitation equipment on the West side of Cleveland. An ideal tool for rehabilitating post-acute patients recovering from stroke, joint replacement, or cardiac surgery and helping strengthen and condition those dealing with COPD/CHF, arthritis, or other chronic health issues, this state-of-the-art technology uses a 3D camera to capture the patient’s movement. Specialized software creates a “real-time” interactive therapy environment for six skilled exercise categories with multiple levels of difficulty:

balance, gait training,

wheelchair mobility, seated

exercises, upper extremity exercises, and cognitive abilities.

The new therapy gym is large and bright with high ceilings and multiple windows that overlook a flower-filled courtyard and fountain. The facility also features:

• A NeuroCom Balance Master, a computerized assessment and rehabilitation tool used to evaluate balance and mobility disorders;

• A full kitchen to help patients prepare to return home;

• Electrical stimulation (TENS, PENS), ultrasound, and electrically induced heat (diathermy);

• Low impact cardiovascular workouts (NuStep) and motorized rehabilitation systems (Omnicycle).

Rae-Ann also has hired an expert in-house team of

therapy specialists to ensure the quality

and consistency of therapy services. Unlike most rehab facilities that

use contracted therapists, Rae-Ann

owners John and Sue Griffiths decided Rae-

Ann residents and rehab patients would be best served by having a dedicated therapy staff.

This new facility and its cutting-edge equipment will enable our therapy team to continue to provide the highest level of rehabilitation care on the West side and facilitate shorter, more effective post-acute care stays.

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Rae-Ann Suburban Debuts New Therapy Gym & In-House Therapy Team

Rose Madej, occupational therapy assistant, demonstrates the new Omni® VR Virtual Rehabilitation equipment.

Rae-Ann Suburban Welcomes New Medical Director

Dr. Katherine Eilenfeld, DO

N urse practitioners, or NPs, play an essential part in

the health system. As more hospitals, clinics, and health care facilities find a scarcity of primary care physicians, many nurse practitioners are filling that role.

All Rae-Ann facilities have nurse practitioners making rounds

with the residents. NPs have added another level of care

and service excellence for Rae-Ann residents and become a valuable resource for Rae-Ann staff.

These highly trained nurses must complete a master’s degree at a minimum and have clinical training that exceeds the training of registered nurses. Many specialize in a certain field, such as pediatrics or geriatrics.

NPs are able to perform functions beyond those of an RN, such as prescribing medication, ordering testing and x-rays, and providing diagnoses. Their emphasis is on wellness and overall health. According to recent surveys, patients have reported extreme satisfaction with the care received from nurse practitioners.

“We greatly appreciate having nurse practitioners on our team,” says Sue Williams, Director of Nursing at Rae-Ann Westlake. “They have helped resolve and expedite many issues and enabled us to provide a higher standard of quality-focused care.”

Nurse Practitioners Help Rae-Ann Deliver Quality Care

O n April 1, Dr. Katherine Eilenfeld, DO, became the

new medical director at Rae-Ann Suburban.

A specialist in internal and palliative medicine, Dr. Eilenfeld earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry from Valparaiso University and Doctor of Osteopathy from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at St. John Medical

Center and her fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine at MetroHealth Medical Center. Dr. Eilenfeld is Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Eilenfeld’s focus is adult primary care, chronic disease, and palliative medicine, including aggressive pain and symptom management. She has special interest in geriatrics, end-of-life care, and medical ethics.

Dr. Brant Holtzmeier Named Medical Director of The Belvedere Q What are the options

available to patients needing therapy following orthopedic surgery?

A There is no one easy answer to this question. First, it is

extremely important to check with both your primary and secondary insurance providers to see what services are covered. Once you are aware of your benefits, you have the option of returning home with home health care or being admitted to a post-acute care facility for therapy.

Patients who are in reasonably good health prior to surgery and have a home environment conducive to rehabilitation usually choose to return home with home health care. This option is made easier with a supportive family or friends who are available to provide needed assistance and a home environment that will accommodate the needs of an orthopedic patient following surgery.

Patients who have multiple diagnoses and/or an inadequate support structure at home typically qualify for rehabilitation at a post-acute care facility like one of the Rae-Ann Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers. A stay in a skilled nursing

facility offers this type of patient better outcomes and a faster recovery period.

A rehabilitation plan is created by a dedicated team of professionals including the orthopedic physician, therapists, nurses, and nursing assistants who work together to address each patient’s needs. Patients are offered as much as three hours of therapy each day up to seven days a week. In addition, research has shown that care provided in an acute rehabilitation hospital is more expensive than in a skilled nursing facility.

I routinely do rounds at Rae-Ann Suburban to ensure that my orthopedic patients receive the excellent therapy and nursing care they need following surgery. I encourage you to consider Rae-Ann Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers for your post-acute care needs.

Dr. Joseph Lowry is a board certified Orthopedic Surgeon. He is a graduate of Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and did his residency at Oklahoma

State University Medical Center. He has received the Healthgrades Honor Roll Award. In addition to his affiliation with several area hospitals, Dr. Lowry regularly makes rounds at Rae-Ann Suburban.

Dr. Brant Holtzmeier, DO

ASKTHEDOCTOR

I n April, the residents and families of The Belvedere of

Westlake gathered to welcome their new medical director, Dr. Brant Holtzmeier.

Dr. Holtzmeier is Board Certified in Family Medicine and has worked with several area hospitals. He is a graduate of Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio.

He has special interests in diabetes management, hypertension, geriatrics, and long-term care. His caring, kind disposition gives all his patients comfort and confidence. He also works closely with the nursing staff to keep abreast of all the residents’ care needs.

O n any given day, you may see Rich Bryer driving the

Rae-Ann Care-A-Van around the area. Rich transports Rae-Ann

residents to doctor appointments or dialysis as well as personal events, such as family parties or weddings in Lorain and Cuyahoga counties.

Rich’s positive attitude is exceeded only by his prompt customer service. He pledges to pick up within a half hour of receiving the call. (Most transport companies have a two-hour window.) At a discounted rate, he transports residents Monday through Friday for medical appointments and is available on Saturdays and Sundays for private transport.

One of his most frequent “customers” is Susan Courtney, a resident of The Belvedere. “I’d be lost without my buddy Rich,” Susan notes. “He is thoughtful, considerate, and always has my best interests at heart. Other services I’ve used were never on time. Rich is very conscientious about making sure no one ever has to wait.”

P eople who experience positive interactions throughout the

day have better overall physical and mental health than those who constantly have negative interactions and stress. Being lonely, unhappy, or stressed also can result in higher rates of dementia and poor overall health.

Rae-Ann West Park decided to celebrate Nursing Home Week in May by having staff and residents vie to be named the “King or

Queen of Kindness” by showing who has the biggest heart.

Nursing Home Week featured a Wii bowling competition to raise funds for the American Heart Association and a competition to see who could do the most

random acts of kindness; $25 gift cards were awarded to the winners. The week included many other daily events, with gifts and prizes for staff and residents who showed their heart and improved the world around them.

Nursing Home Week was followed by Loving Kindness Week in June, which amped up the kindness vibe with yoga, Reiki, hugs, and more.

Give a smile! Say hello! Share a hug! Make the world a better place!

Rae-Ann West Park Celebrates Nursing Home Week: “A Small World with a Big Heart”

Congratulations to 1st place winner Evelyn Hernandez,

selected as the Queen of Kindness.

Rae-Ann’s Care-A-Van: Taking Residents on the Road

Rich Bryer is ready to transport residents to appointments and events.

Kevin Hicks, Lynn Young, and Jimmie Raines tied for 3rd place in the kindness competition. Venus Patterson, far right, was the 2nd place finalist.

Not shown: 3rd place finalist Nancy Barnes.

P.O. Box 40175Bay Village, OH 44140

Rae-Ann Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Facilities

The Belvedere of Westlake

Assisted Living & Special Care

Rae-Ann WestlakeSkilled Nursing &

Stroke Rehabilitation

Rae-Ann SuburbanSkilled Nursing &

Orthopedic Rehabilitation/Wound Care

Rae-Ann West ParkSkilled Nursing &

Rehabilitation

Rae-Ann GenevaSkilled Nursing &

Rehabilitation

©Rae-Ann

Call our Admissions Coordinators at (440) 835-3004 or (440) 466-5733 (Geneva).

rae-ann.net

Noted Artist Donates Paintings to Rae-Ann Suburban

C elebrated artist Mary Deutschman has generously

donated 40 of her original paintings to Rae-Ann Suburban in honor of her father who was a Rae-Ann resident in 1985. An exhibit of Deutschman’s work debuted at a wine and cheese reception on July 21 attended by many residents, staff, and families. The exhibit will be open at Rae-Ann Suburban through August 31 and her paintings will be displayed throughout the facility afterward.

Artist Mary Deutschman with Rae-Ann Owner John Griffiths.