Gaylord Hospital has a new outdoor rehabilitation space designed to help patients gain mobility and be more independent after their discharge.
The outdoor courtyard replicates real-world situations, such as hills and uneven surfaces, so patients can practice navigating them with their wheelchairs, canes, walkers or prosthetics.
Patients at the Wallingford-based facility come there for rehabilitation, such as after suffering a stroke or injuries due to accidents.
The bi-level courtyard space, called the Rutledge Family Garden, spans 5,700 square feet.
The project cost approximately $750,000, according to Joy Savulak, a spokesperson for Gaylord.
It was made possible by grants from the Greenwich-based Rutledge Family Foundation, with additional funding from The Timken Foundation of Canton and private donors.
The space features a ramp for patients to master navigating inclines and declines. There are stairs and curbs of different heights to mimic obstacles patients can expect to encounter in the community. The space also has uneven surfaces at points to help patients practice mobility and balance. Railings have been added for patients to use for therapeutic exercises.
Pete Grevelding, vice president of clinical operations, said the new space will play a vital role in preparing patients for community reintegration.
“For many patients, tasks like walking on uneven surfaces, navigating stairs, or propelling a wheelchair up a ramp can be incredibly challenging,” Grevelding said. “Replicating these real-world elements and allowing patients to safely practice these skills with our clinical team helps prepare our patients for discharge and a successful return to the activities they love.”
President and CEO Sonja LaBarbera said the garden joins other spaces on the hospital’s 400-acre campus that patients can enjoy, socialize and relax in.
“Industry research and experience tells us that bringing nature into a patient’s plan of care positively impacts their healing, mental health, and relaxation,” she said.
