Heartfelt Healing: How Athena’s Skilled Nursing Facilities Empower Hearts

Heartfelt Healing: How Athena’s Skilled Nursing Facilities Empower Hearts

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Krista Santilli-Grace, shines a light on the heartwarming recovery that happens within Athena’s skilled nursing facilities.

February is not just a month for red roses and chocolates. February celebrates American Heart Month, a time to focus on the health of one of our most vital organs. In the spirit of building heart health awareness, let’s recognize the incredible impact that rehabilitation programs in skilled nursing facilities have on improving cardiovascular health and benefiting those in the community.

Athena Health Care Systems, a management company of over 40 skilled nursing facilities across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, is equipped with strong rehabilitation programs to meet the unique needs of individuals recovering from medical and cardiovascular events. Our skilled teams of nurses, physical, occupational, and speech therapists create personalized care plans tailored to each individual which focus on improving agility, movement, and overall heart health.

Our dedicated staff members know that it starts with educating our residents on heart-healthy activities and habits to help restore their physical health, like the benefits of daily exercise to increase mobility and healthy eating habits, like the Mediterranean Diet.

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women. Approximately, 695,000 people in the United States died from heart disease in 2021, which is one in every five deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

If you are admitted as a short-term rehabilitation resident at one of Athena’s managed skilled nursing centers, our residents can expect compassionate community-like care. An unexpected heart or medical event can happen to anyone and we may find ourselves in need of a short-term rehabilitation stay. Initial assessments are completed to determine baselines.

Though everyone is faced with different ailments, sharing a heart disease diagnosis with others at our centers builds community and support within the facility. The support shared by the staff and other residents becomes a motivator in the recovery process. Tailored exercise regimens, education, and support from one another enhance the quality of life for our residents.

The heart of the matter is with the personal, holistic approach taken by our rehabilitation teams, they help lead our residents towards improved well-being.

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