Rehab Facility Introduces New Stroke Recovery Program In South Jersey

BERLIN, NJ — The Berlin Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center introduced a new way to help patients in the aftermath of having a stroke.

The NeuroGen Stroke Recovery Program is tailored to individual needs and utilizes new features to follow a subacute approach to treatment.

This level of care blends the sophisticated technology of a hospital with the operation of a skilled standalone nursing facility to create an "in-between" environment.

Patients can typically receive subacute care from 72 days to months after a major operation.

"What I'm most proud of with the NeuroGen Stroke Recovery Program is the personalized approach to recovery," said Derrick Henry, Administrator. "Stroke rehabilitation is not one-size-fits-all, and our team does an incredible job creating individualized plans focused on helping patients regain independence and confidence."

Stroke recovery efforts are typically focused on helping patients restore physical function, gain strength and endurance, improve balance and mobility, manage pain and spasticity, overcome speech and communication deficits, and build new cognitive strategies.

Under the new program in Berlin, an "activities of daily living," or ADL, suite mimics a home environment with a kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom to assimilate to normalcy even faster.

A recent short-stay stroke patient lived alone and was feeling anxious about managing everyday tasks again, Henry said.

"Being able to practice real-life activities in a home-like setting, like getting in and out of bed, taking dishes out of the dishwasher, doing laundry, and navigating a tub shower safely completely changed her mindset. You could actually see the confidence come back day-by-day," he added.

Another patient had not made himself coffee independently yet after his hospitalization. After seeing him do even this simple task on his own, his family became emotional and told nurses they were finally "getting 'him' back."

The facility, located at 100 Long-A-Coming Ln., also added to its rehab therapy gym with new equipment and technology to help patients on their journey to discharge back into the world.

"Our therapists and nurses celebrate those successes alongside our patients, from proudly posing for discharge photos, to cheering them down a red carpet during our clap-out celebrations as they head home to the song of their choice," said Henry.

The organization's work also recently garnered recognition from the American Heart Association (AHA) as one of the first facilities in the United States to earn the "Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehabilitation Certification."

The group analyzes practices based on program management, patient education, care coordination, and clinical management to designate those who qualify.

"It shows our capability to provide highly specialized clinical care, and that we can be a place of real recovery and hope," said Henry of the recognition. "For aspiring healthcare professionals, I hope it highlights the incredible impact you can make."

Through this distinction, Berlin is able to access AHA live and online educational events, consultative services, and more.

According to the AHA, stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States, with around 795,000 people each year having a new or recurrent stroke.

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