Situated on 78 acres overlooking the Ramapo Mountains in Wyckoff, Christian Health offers the most comprehensive selection of services and lifestyle options on one campus of any senior-care provider in northern New Jersey. Known for its compassionate, caring environment, Christian Health has a long history of supporting seniors’ health and wellness from a holistic perspective. And nowhere is this more evident than at Bolger Short-term Rehab.
“One of greatest benefits of having this beautiful rehabilitation gym and wellness center on our campus is that it helps us deliver the full continuum of care for all of our residents,” says Erica LaGruth, PT, DPT, LSVT BIG Certified Clinician, Director of Outpatient Rehabilitation. “Whether you live at The Vista – our new retirement community – or our Longview Assisted Living community, you have access to the skills and knowledge of a full-time, on-site team of licensed physical, occupational, and speech and language therapists.”
What many northwest Bergen County residents may not know is that the Bolger Gym and Wellness Center provides both inpatient and outpatient short-term rehabilitation for people recovering from illness, injury, or surgery. “People often tell us they had no idea we offered outpatient rehab,” says Erica. “We are here to serve the entire community and people of all ages – not just seniors.”
When the center opened its doors in 2015, services were provided on an inpatient basis for those transitioning from the hospital to home. Erica, who has been with Christian Health for seven years, assumed her current role in 2017 when the scope of services was expanded to include outpatient rehab. Together with Jane Mendoza, PT, Director of Inpatient Rehabilitation, they oversee the health and wellness services for the entire organization.
Christian Health offers high-quality senior living, short-term rehabilitation, and mental health services. As the non-profit healthcare organization has expanded to meet the changing demands of the community, so has the need to make short-term rehab and other health and wellness options more convenient to residents.
“We are growing as the campus grows,” says Erica, whose team is currently working to create a dedicated treatment space at The Vista. “Residents can access personal training services in their own state-of-the-art gym, and enjoy a variety of group classes including aqua fitness, chair exercises, yoga and guided meditation.”
The Longview Assisted Living community also has its own separate gym for residents who want to pop in for quick appointments rather than using the larger Bolger gym. In addition, a staff therapist travels regularly to work with residents of Christian Health’s two senior communities in Wayne.
Equal care and consideration are given to those who come to the Bolger gym for outpatient rehab. For example, all outpatient therapy was recently moved to a different building on campus. “We relocated these services out of concern for the safety of both visitors and residents,” Erica says. “Now, folks who are coming in for a therapy appointment no longer have to enter a residential building.”
Asked what sets Bolger Short-term Rehab at Christian Health apart from other rehabilitation services in Bergen County, Erica notes that they have a larger staff with a wider range of specializations. This ensures that people seeking a specific type of treatment will be supported by highly trained, highly skilled specialists. The Transitional Care Suite is also unique to Bolger rehab. This fully-functioning miniature apartment allows therapists to help transitioning inpatient residents by simulating at-home environments where patients can perform actual tasks – from reaching shelves to bathing to doing laundry – rather than just talking through a routine.
Therapists at Bolger Short-term Rehab are dedicated to delivering the best possible patient experience. The staff continually seeks input from the patient and his or her family, who are valued members of the care team. “Our staff builds a wonderful rapport to ensure the treatment is aligned with what each client is looking to achieve. Nothing is more frustrating than not knowing why you’re doing something,” says Erica.
Above all, Erica says, “It is the personal investment of our entire team that makes us different. They are focused not only on each person’s recovery, but their overall health and wellness.” She recalls a gentleman who was recovering from a severe stroke. “We worked with him and his wife together on what to expect and the nuances of being an effective caregiver. He made significant progress, and six months after he returned home, we received an email with a video of the two of them dancing on their anniversary. It meant so much to our team, knowing they remembered us and the difference we had made in their lives.”
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