Gaylord Specialty Healthcare in Wallingford has opened what it says is Connecticut’s only adolescent specialty spinal cord rehabilitation unit.
The new unit was created to meet the unique needs of adolescent spinal cord-injured patients and their families, according to Tara Knapp, Gaylord vice president of development and public relations for the not-for-profit long-term acute care hospital.
The unit is staffed by clinicians with special training caring for adolescent spinal cord injuries. Each of the private, adolescent-friendly patient rooms features adjoining suites where families can stay, free of charge, during their child’s inpatient stay. Family suite amenities include private bathrooms, in-room mini fridge, and laundry pickup and delivery.
Patients have access to the unit’s teen game room featuring XBOX ONE and a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi and tablets to stream entertainment and video-chat with friends, and can receive visits from the hospital’s working facility dog. Teenage patients also can speak with peer mentors for support and socialize with other patients.
The spinal cord program is the only one in the state accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities, the hospital said.
