Nicole D. from Marlboro asks:
“What is the difference between your Horizons long-term care program and other long-term care programs?”
Brie Gallo, CBIST, vice president of Operations for Allaire Rehab, says: Hi Nicole, first off I’d like to thank you for your question. Our Horizons long-term care program is unique. In fact, we are the only facility in the state of New Jersey to offer young adults ages 18-59 years old diagnosed with a neurological impairment sub-acute levels of therapy on a long-term basis. The age was just recently increased from 50 to 59. As long as we have a patient in the program prior to their 60th birthday, the authorization is good for life. We are so excited for this change because previously, once a patient hit the age of 56, the authorization would no longer be valid. The patient would “age out” and become traditional long-term care. Now, with the new age guidelines, we are able to assist even more people.
In a traditional long-term care setting, Medicaid residents would receive therapy on a “restorative” basis. This is not meant to be intensive at all, and is only done as “maintenance” therapy. Furthermore, in traditional long-term settings, the majority of the population is considered elderly and is usually much older than our neurological population.
Horizons at Allaire is able to offer long-term care to Medicaid residents under a specialized license we hold. This license is called a “Special Care Nursing Facility” (or SCNF). It is a special PAS that the resident would need to obtain in order to enter this program. Assuming a resident fits the criteria for this program (ages 18-59 years old, neurological diagnosis, and is able to participate in his/her care), he/she will be admitted into our Horizons unit. Once admitted into the unit, this resident will be able to receive physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and/or cognitive therapy on an ongoing long-term basis. This therapy is also specifically designed with a variety of neurological conditions in mind. We also have a specially trained staff in order to assist this particular population.
We have also designed our activities to compliment the variety of therapies these residents will receive. For example, in most long-term care facilities, you will see bingo, current events, etc. We also have those activities; however, we also have a variety of “younger” activities in order to accommodate our younger population. We are proud to have a 25 station “assistive technology computer and communications center” in which these residents can come and utilize a computer completely fitted with adaptive equipment designed especially for them. Our motto in this computer center is that “abilities are never limited by disabilities.” We work very hard to make sure that every resident is able to do 100 percent of anything they want on these computers regardless of limitations. Along with the computer lab, we also have specialized laptops our residents are welcome to take out and use at their leisure.
In addition to this we also offer a variety of exercise programs for this population such as yoga, tai chi and chair Zumba. Each of these activities are facilitated by specially trained professionals to assist in strengthening the resident’s body, mind and spirit.
Oh, I can’t forget to mention the day trips we take with our residents. We go out to eat, to the movies, Blue Claws stadium to watch a ballgame, and pet therapy with horses just to name a few.
We also offer a variety of support groups, group and individual psycho-therapy and regular assessments. Our Horizons program is very goal driven. That said, if a resident has a goal to get back to the community, then our multi-disciplinary treatment team works toward that goal with the resident. We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities both within our building as well as out in the community. We also work very closely with several facilities that offer supportive services for neurological conditions (supportive housing, day programs, etc.).
Every individual within our Horizons program is unique and has his/her own needs and goals. We meet with each person regularly to set, assess, and assist in every goal. I would strongly encourage you, Nicole, to come and see our one of a kind program in action. I truly believe you will be pleasantly surprised by all you see.
Please feel free to reach out to me either via email at [email protected] or even on my cell at 732-865-0767 if you have any additional questions and to set up a time to come in. Thank you again for your question Nicole.