News
April 26, 2017The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Guilderland Introduces IPAD Program
For guests at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Guilderland, staying in touch with loved ones — and those around them charged with their care and recovery – just got a whole lot easier.
As part of a rising trend of bringing technology to nursing facilities, The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Guilderland has started issuing iPads to all guests who want and can use them. In addition to featuring standard apps like news, social networking and Netflix movies, each tablet comes loaded with a concierge app to make the place feel more like a hotel and less like a rehabilitation facility.
“We’ve started to see more 40- and 50-year-olds with knee and hip issues, heart failure and stroke – who require either short- or long-term nursing care following hospitalization,” explained Gary March, assistant administrator, The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Guilderland. “This younger clientele wants to be connected during their time with us and feel comfortable – just like they do at home.
“Through our new iPad program, guests have the freedom to surf the web, watch their favorite show or a new movie, or use Facetime to talk, smile and laugh with friends and family,” said March. “With a touch of their finger, they can also use our app to request coffee, tea, soda, juice or water or an afternoon snack be brought directly to their room. From the comfort of their own rooms, guests can also select their own breakfast, lunch and dinner choices for the week; request television/phone assistance; adjust their room’s temperature; make repairs to their bed or wheelchair; ask maintenance for help fixing something that’s not working properly in their room; view upcoming facility events; order transportation to an appointment; and, email staff with any questions that they might have.”
“This program has been a tremendous success at our other facilities in Chittenango, Pawling, Queens, Rome and River Valley,” added Jeremy B. Strauss, CEO, The Grand Healthcare System. “Tablets not only offer a link to the outside world, but also provide a world of therapeutic opportunities in the nursing home setting by sharpening patients’ minds and fine motors skills.”
“I play gin rummy, and listen to music, and because of the iPad I have not had a panic attack since I started using it,” noted Deb Hyde, a guest at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Guilderland. “This is the longest I’ve gone without having a panic attack or bout of anxiety in nearly seven years. It has greatly reduced my dependency on medications.”
The ipad program is part of The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Guilderland’s rebranding initiative begun last year by the facility’s new owners, Queens-based The Grand Healthcare System. Since acquiring the facility last November, the company has also made comprehensive staffing upgrades and invested more than $1 million in renovations to the building’s lobby, common areas, dining room, recreation area, as well as constructed a 2,000-square-foot rehabilitation room with state-of-the-art exercise equipment.
For more information about The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Guilderland, please call (518) 861-5141 or visit thegrandhealthcare.com/guilderland.
