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Stroke Rehabilitation

By selecting the Partners In Rehab team at Catholic Health, patients have access to the same high-quality care no matter what facility or level of care they need.

Our caring and dedicated staff provide the latest rehabilitation techniques and technology with one goal in mind: to help our patients rebuild the strength, capability, and confidence they need to return to their optimal level of independence.

Personalized treatment plans may include:

• 24-hour physician and nursing care
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech-language pathology
• Nutritional care
• Social work
• Counseling
• Spiritual care
• Patient/family education
• Support groups

The Partners In Rehab Team

• Physiatrists
• Physician Specialists
• Rehabilitation Nurses
• Nursing Assistants
• Physical Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Case Managers / Social Workers
• Clinical Dietitians
• Chaplains
• Volunteers

Treatment Facilities

Medical Rehabilitation Units

Research indicates that a Medical Rehab Unit (MRU) is the type of facility that will provide patients with the best opportunity for recovery following a stroke.

Stroke patients spend an average of 14 days in Catholic Health's Medical Rehabilitation Units at Kenmore Mercy Hospital or Mercy Hospital of Buffalo. After discharge, most patients will return home or to another level of care for additional rehabilitation. Patients who return home may continue their recovery with in-home care or outpatient rehabilitation depending on their progress and the recommendation of the physiatrists.

Other Settings

• Subacute 
• Outpatient
• Home

Watch the two-minute video below to meet Aggie, a patient who suffered from a spinal stroke and underwent treatment at several Catholic Health facilities – a hospital, medical rehabilitation unit and outpatient rehabilitation facility. She also received care at home through our home care division.

Becoming a Patient

Access to our rehabilitation services depends on the level of care needed.

Medical Rehabilitation Unit or Inpatient Facility

Patients are discharged from the hospital and transferred to the medical rehabilitation unit located in Kenmore Mercy or Mercy Hospital of Buffalo. Patients are referred by a physician, case manager, or discharge planner. However, patients and family can request an evaluation to determine elgibibility for MRU services. This request should be made to the hospital's rehab physician (physiatrist) or nurse practitioner, or to the patient's discharge planner.

Subacute Facility

Patients are often discharged from a hospital to a subacute setting and are referred by a physician, case manager or discharge planner. Patients and their families can request a Catholic Health subacute facility by telling their hospital discharge planner of their preference.

Outpatient

Patients are most often referred for outpatient rehabilitation services by their physician. Ask your physician for a referral to a Catholic Health outpatient rehab clinic.

Home Care

Patients are referred for home care by a physician or hospital discharge planner. They may also be referred by a subacute or MRU discharge planner, if they received care at such facilities prior to returning home.

More Information

  Call our HealthConnection line at (716) 447-6205, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday - Friday
 Email us

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The Partners In Rehab Team

Physiatrists

These are physicians who specialize in physical and rehabilitation medicine. Working in concert with the rehabilitation team, the physiatrist evaluates the patient's medical condition and will design a treatment program that incorporates each patient's medical, physical, and personal needs and rehabilitation goals to promote greater function and independence.

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Physician Specialists

Depending on the patient's medical condition, specialists may be called in for consultation as needed.

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Rehabilitation Nurses

Registered nurses with special training in rehabilitation care will coordinate the overall care of the patient. They will evaluate each patient and develop an individualized nursing care plan to make sure his or her needs are being met throughout their stay. In this supportive environment, nurses provide around-the-clock care, working in conjunction with other members of the rehab team to restore patients to their optimal level of function and independence.

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Nursing Assistants

Nursing assistants help patients with activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, or getting dressed. As the patient becomes stronger and more independent. the Nurse Assistant will continue in a supporting role.

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Physical Therapists (PT)

Physical therapists are clinicians who guide patients through physical therapy and exercises to help them regain ambulation, strength, stamina, range-of-motion, and physical coordination. The objective is to help patients reach their rehabilitation goals as quickly and safely as possible.

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Occupational Therapists (OT)

Occupational therapists are medical professionals who help patients become more functionally independent. Activities of daily living, such as dressing, cooking, and personal hygiene (requiring fine motor skills) may be more difficult to perform following a stroke. Th OT teaches patients how to use assistive devices and other adaptive equipment, like a tub bench for showering or bathing, to restore functional independence. The patient will also receive assistance in improving tasks that require cognitive skills such as managing a checkbook.

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Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP)

These professionals help patients regain the ability to speak or comprehend language that might have been lost due to stroke. They may also use special tools and techniques to help patients overcome difficulties with swallowing that may develop following a stroke. SLP's also assist dietitians in developing meal plans that will provide proper consistency and nourishment for each patient.

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Case Managers/Social Workers

These individuals help maximize the medical, social, and financial resources available to each patient. They assist patients and their families by making appropriate arrangements for their discharge to home or to another setting, if necessary. This assistance may include special equipment needs, in-home nursing or rehab services, or arranging appointments for outpatient therapy.

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Clinical Dietitians

Clinical dietitians assist the physician and speech-language pathologists in determining the appropriate diet for the stroke patient.

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Chaplains/Spiritual Care Personnel

Chaplains and spiritual care personnel help meet the religious and spiritual needs of the patient and family to assist in the recovery process.

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Volunteers from the Stroke Association of WNY

Volunteers are available to provide support and encouragement to patients and their families throughout their stay in the MRU and after the patient returns home.

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