Motivation, rehabilitation, and a team approach to helping patients return home is the goal of Mapleview Country Villa

By Mary Malik

The goal of physical rehabilitation is for the patient to return home and get back to normal daily activities as soon as possible. When the patient and the therapy professionals all share this goal and work hard to achieve it, a positive outcome is all but guaranteed.

Mapleview Country Villa is located on beautiful, sprawling grounds in Chardon, surrounded by nature and just a short drive from historic Chardon Square. The almost seven-year-old facility is also conveniently located near UH Geauga Medical Center, Lake Health TriPoint Medical Center and to the extended community.

“Any hospital stay, no matter the diagnosis, can require some type of rehabilitation in order for the person to regain strength and function before returning to normal life,” says Janice Carlson, director of rehabilitation at Mapleview. “Getting back home as close to the prior level of function for patients is the gold standard for any rehabilitation program, and we do that every day here.”

Mapleview staff members first conduct a thorough evaluation of each patient to assess their needs and develop a treatment plan. The comprehensive program at Mapleview focuses on the restoration of a patient’s physical function with the goal of returning them to maximum independence and improved quality of life. Physical, occupational and speech therapists all work together and monitor patients to make sure they are progressing toward their individual goals.

Therapists and patients work on those goals in Mapleview’s expansive, state-of-the-art therapy space, featuring equipment for strength training and enhancement of physical function. The therapy room features an apartment setting so therapists can work on the skills necessary for the person to function at home.

“We work on tasks of daily living,” says Janice. “We have a full kitchen, bedroom and laundry room so we can help patients maneuver a home-like setting. Patients use household machines just like they do at home. It’s important to work on these practical activities that all add up to independence.”

Therapists at Mapleview not only form relationships with patients but also with families. And no one is happier than the therapists to see patients go home because that means everyone has succeeded.

“We love our patients, but our goal is to never have to see them again, a least in the clinical sense,” smiles Janice.

Janice says the rehabilitation process involves working closely with the patients’ doctors and the families to get a complete picture of what will be expected once he or she returns home.

“Families play a big part in recovery,” says Janice. “We will try and schedule rehab sessions around a family member’s schedule when requested. Every patient is different, every injury is different and so are the expectations. We focus on the individual and doing what works for them. Family input is very helpful.”

Janice says that the therapists, nurses, social workers and administrators at Mapleview are among the best staff she has worked with in her career. Mapleview takes Medicare and many managed care insurances. The administrators here are well versed in these topics and are here to guide families through the process.

“I’ve been a speech pathologist for 34 years and a rehabilitation director for 20 years, so I’ve worked in many situations,” says Janice. “Everyone here works so well together and always has our patients’ best interest at heart. Communication among staff is critical.”

“I’ve been a speech pathologist for 34 years and a rehabilitation director for 20 years, so I’ve worked in many situations,” says Janice. “Everyone here works so well together and always has our patients’ best interest at heart.

“Our approach is to tailor the treatment to what each person can tolerate and what they are willing to do in each session,” says Janice. “It’s often a personality match. Our therapists have been known to use their charms in order to motivate patients and get the best out of them. They are the patients’ biggest cheerleaders. Patients appreciate it when they progress more than they even thought possible. Progress is the best motivator.”

Every suite at Mapleview Country Villa is private, with private bathrooms and showers. Suites have individually controlled heating and air conditioning, telephones and smart televisions, large windows and on-demand internet. There’s complimentary Wi-Fi along with convenient computer workstations, a family dining room for larger family gatherings, and a barber and beauty shop.

“The activities staff also works to create individual programs based on the resident’s physical, educational and spiritual needs,” says Janice. “When everyone is working toward the same goal, it makes your stay at Mapleview both pleasant and productive.”

Mapleview Country Villa is located at 775 South Street in Chardon. For more information on all of the care options that Mapleview offers, call 440-286-8176 or on their website.