NORWICH – Valley View Manor nursing home and rehabilitation center, in Norwich, boasts a recently constructed $1 million rehab suite, making it the area's leader in short term rehabilitation.

With the addition of the new rehabilitation suite, Valley View Manor has been able to log approximately 6,000 short-term rehab hours in 2014, an average of 92 percent return to the community, and an average short-term stay of under 24 days.

The rehabilitation suite at Valley View offers a full range of rehabilitation services. The suite boasts a full kitchen where patients can cook a full meal from start to finish, there is a step exercise station, and even a Nintendo Wii for patients to work on balance and coordination. These are just a small portion of what Valley View offers in the way of rehabilitation services.

“Our goal is to get people back to doing what they would do in a normal day,” said Sam Suleiman, Valley View Administrator.

By the end of 2015, Valley View plans on making improvements to its already comprehensive rehab suite. They hope to add a ceiling mounted rail system to help with patients that cannot support their full weight. They want to open up their suite to outpatient physical and occupational therapy rehab services. And they have plans to install an on site dialysis center. With these additions, Valley View will be able to better serve their residents and the local community, Suleiman said.

In addition to the construction of the rehabilitation suite, Valley View Manor also employs an advanced team of therapists whose combined expertise adds up to over 45 years of experience. Valley View has Melissa Perry, Physical Therapist and Director of Rehabilitation Services; Penny Kubik, OTA/L; and Chris Conguilairo, Regional Occupational Therapist. The rehabilitation staff at Valley View are highly trained in McKenzie methods, hands and vision therapy, and cognitive retraining. All of Valley View's therapists are employees of the facility and not contractors, offering patients better continuity of care.

With these resources at their fingertips, Valley View can offer rehabilitation programs that are tailored to each individual based on their unique needs. “Most rehabilitation facilities offer cookie-cutter rehab programs,” said Deb Zionc, Marketing Manager for Valley View. “At Valley View, we know that one size does not fit all. Everyone at Valley View is an individual.”