Rae-Ann Suburban debuts new therapy gym

A new gym with modern rehabilitation technology was officially opened at Rae-Ann Suburban in Westlake with a ceremonial ribbon cutting by Rae-Ann administrator Kerry Neal, Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough and Rae-Ann owner John Griffiths. Photo by Denny Wendell

Rae-Ann Suburban Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Facility in Westlake celebrated the opening of its modern new therapy gym on Oct. 15 in a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Dennis Clough.

Rae-Ann Suburban specializes in orthopedic rehabilitation and is one of five family-owned Rae-Ann facilities in the greater Cleveland area, three of which are in Westlake.

“Our new therapy gym is a dream come true and the culmination of years of planning,” said Rae-Ann owner John Griffiths. “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.
 
“Eighty-eight percent of our patients are able to be rehabilitated and discharged with an average length of stay of less than 30 days,” Griffiths explained. “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 OmniVR virtual rehabilitation equipment on the West side. 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 offers a large, bright surroundings with high ceilings and multiple windows overlooking 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).