Geer making plans for the future

NORTH CANAAN — At Geer Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, COO John Horstman and the Board of Directors are looking past the slow economy and planning for the future. They feel confident that their services will always be in demand.

Offering a top-rate facility and staff has always been a goal; another goal is to have beds (and rooms) available when people need them. And now that keeping every bed filled is also something they need to do to survive financially, they are continuing with upgrades that will make the facility more comfortable — and more attractive.

The latest upgrade to the 35-year-old center has just been completed, in the physical therapy department.

Some of the differences are subtle. New windows have been added, for greater energy efficiency.

Carpeting gives a measure of quiet and warmth to the workout center. Central air conditioning is a welcome improvement over the old window unit. A therapy room that has nearly doubled in size is slowly being filled with new equipment.

“Before, it was very hospital-like,� said Director Mike Mangini. “Now it’s relaxing and comfortable, which makes a difference in how receptive people are to therapy.�

And it’s not just about recovering from injury or surgery.

On a recent day, Jenny Gebo of Sheffield went through her shoulder exercises, and tried out a new cage-like machine called TrueStretch. The machine allows any muscle to get a gentle and effective stretch without the discomfort many find when lying down for therapy.

It’s not her first rehab session at Geer.

“I cut hair, here and at Noble [Horizons],� she said. “I need to be able to keep my job for at least a few more years. These guys always fix me right up.�

The staff includes physical therapy assistants Paul Faggioni and Rachel Philp, and office coordinator Patty Tatsapaugh.

Mangini said people come seeking relief from pain that keeps them from doing their jobs or favorite activities. He climbs in the machine and mimics a golf swing.

“We have patients do that so we can get very specific about what hurts and why,� Mangini said. “It’s called functional rehab, because we are restoring the function their body needs to do what they need and want to do.�

The most noticeable change is the new, dedicated entrance. Gone are the days of coming through the main lobby and down a long hallway. It’s perhaps ironic that the most exciting part was based on common sense.

“People come here because of mobility issues. That they can now pull right up to the door just makes sense,� Mangini said.�We have people coming in on crutches and with mobility issues, so the sidewalk has radiant heat. That was the idea of the head of maintenance, Scott Beecher. It was such a simple but effective idea. When the weather is bad in the winter, we turn the heat on at night, and the sidewalk is always clear when the first patient arrives the next morning. It’s just one more thing to promote safety.�

The center has been renamed the Dr. Carl Bornemann Therapy Center, in honor of the man who long served the community as a physician and remains a dedicated member of the Geer Board of Directors.