The road to recovery is never easy no matter what the injury, but at Regal Heights Rehabilitation and Health Care Center “bringing people back to normal mobility” is the motto — and the mission.
An affiliated organization of North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, Regal Heights offers both long-term care and short-term rehabilitation, and received a five-stars rating in Overall Quality and Quality Measures by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
It is also a teaching facility with education programs for staff and students, and community outreach initiatives that include intergenerational programs with local schools, blood drives and health fairs.
With its unique programs, dedicated and talented staff and overall compassion for its patients, the Jackson Heights facility has been a leader in rehabilitation since it opened in 2000.
“While at Regal, my aunt received excellent care from all the staff and was always treated kindly and with respect. It is because of the fine care [the] staff gave her that she is currently able to be at home,” said Joanne C.
“The rehabilitation center looks more like a fine hotel than a rehabilitation center. Most of the centers I visited should aspire to meet the standards attained at the Regal Heights center. All the public areas were clean, odorless, and furnished in good taste. The food was better than I expected and was served by pleasant personnel in clean, bright and cheery dining rooms. I commend the entire staff for their attention, care and in general their high status of professionalism,” said Joseph S, who was a patient at the facility.
The family of one patient was so impressed with the care their father received while at Regal Heights, that they personally wrote a letter thanking the facility and its staff.
Their father, who came into the facility following knee surgery, was immediately impressed with its professional staff, cleanliness and equipment.
His rehab experience was mentally and physically positive, and he was even impressed by its food service, which made sure to adhere to his strict, vegetarian Hindu diet and diabetic needs.
“Our father was very comfortable and pleased during his entire stay at your facility. We visited him daily and saw his remarkable recovery each and every day. He was always in a happy mood and always had something good to say about each day’s experiences,” the letter read.
Regal Heights’s innovative rehabilitation programs helps its patients solve any problems that come up during rehab, often shortening the recovery time.
An excellent example of its creative and cutting edge rehabilitation techniques is Neuromuscular Taping.
It can be used for a wide range of applications, including follow-up treatment of injuries, reducing inflammation, corrections of posture and treatment of overuse symptoms.
Neuromuscular Taping has advantages over conventional taping methods because it stresses mobility rather than immobilization, while protecting muscles from overexertion.
The Regal Heights 10-day perfect joint program also helps with post-surgery rehabilitation. For those who have had hip or knee replacement at any age, it includes functional, electrical stimulation, closed chain exercises, and progressive gait training.
But rehabilitation isn’t just for joints.
Regal Heights’s pulmonary rehabilitation program, “Breath For Life,” is for patients with ongoing breath issues, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, asthma and sarcoidosis.
Opened in May, the Regal Heights Snoezelen Room (pronounced SNOO-zuh-len) provides multisensory stimulation for residents who are extremely agitated and with advanced dementia and includes soothing music, aromatherapy, a wall of fiber-optic strands lit in multiple colors, a foam fountain, and recliners where patients can relax while touching a variety of textures.
The unique name comes from its Dutch roots, where it was developed by two therapists in the 1970s.
Currently in use throughout Europe, Regal Heights brought the innovative room to Queens to help with its dementia patients.
Additionally, Regal Heights provides programs in wound care, pain management, bariatric care, hospice and much more.
But its programs would not be successful without the care Regal Heights gives to its patient and its qualified staff.
“Where your loved ones are cared for like family,” is a Regal Heights motto.
The facility offers rehabilitation therapies seven days a week as well as 24-hour skilled nursing care.
It also provides the ideal environment for healing with its cozy lobby, meeting areas, well-stocked libraries with free Internet and full-service beauty salon.
Outside, the environment is just as pleasing.
There is not only a landscaped terrace and gardens, but also fantastic views of the New York City skyline and bridges.
The heart of Regal Heights is its staff of physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, rehabilitation therapists, licensed social workers, registered dietitians, therapeutic recreation leaders, psychologists and other health care specialists.
Looking at just a few of its staff members, it’s easy to see that they are well-trained in a variety of fields, and contribute to Regal Heights’ excellent reputation.
Chief Operating Officer Kevin Place brings 20 years of experience and a Master’s degree in Health Care Administration to his position. He is also a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and a Certified Public Accountant.
Thomas Younghans also has over 20 years experience and holds Master’s degrees in business administration and social work, and is a nursing home administrator. He has experience in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, as well as with long-term, managed and home care
Dr. Ahmed Ramadan, director of rehabilitation services, who has a Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy and more than 20 years of experience in health care, helped develop Regal Heights’ Perfect Joint Program.
Dr. Stephanie DeJesus, a member of the American Medical Directors Association, specializes in wound care and has developed protocols that address and promote wound-healing. With over 15 years experience as a medical director, she has brought innovative and inter-disciplinary approaches to caring for the residents at Regal Heights.
Director of nursing services, Norrele Silvero, has 20 years experience in health care, with expertise in quality care, continuing education, infection control, and risk management. She is also a member of the National Association of Directors of Nursing.
Rowena Gaspar, assistant director of nursing, has over 15 years experience in long-term care settings and has expertise in infection control and wound care.
Finally, Estela Divino, director of social service at Regal Heights, was recently recognized for her decades of work, and will be receiving the Rose Kryzak Senior Leadership Award. Those who win this award are recognized as having established, operated or expanded programs that benefit the older adult population, have a track record of advocacy and secured funding for senior programs.
In addition to bringing people back to normal mobility, Regal Heights Rehabilitation and Health Care Center has another motto: C.A.R.E. or Caring Attention delivered with Respect and Excellence. And it makes sure to follow both every day.
Regal Heights is located at 70-05 35th Avenue, Jackson Heights, 718-662-5100, www.regalheightsrehab.com.
