Touchpoints At Chestnut Unveils Renovations

There is a new option in East Windsor for a place to rehab after a surgery, a stroke or other life changing medical event.

Touchpoints at Chestnut, a rehabilitation facility, opened the doors of its new short-term recovery unit to the public Thursday with a formal open house and ribbon cutting ceremony, and invited residents and visitors for a tour.

The short-term rehabilitation unit offers post-surgical orthopedic care, cardiac rehab services, skilled nursing, stroke rehab, including physical, occupational and speech therapy services.

“The therapy here was excellent,” Doris Sample, 77, of Broad Brook, said. “I was in an accident and came here for physical and occupational therapy after my hospital stay.”

The $1 million renovation to the unit, , at 171 Main St., East Windsor includes a new therapy room, with services offered daily.

“The new therapy room offers state-of-the-art technology for the geriatric population,” Nathalie Currie, a physical therapy assistant, said.

There is a virtual reality game for residents to work on hand-eye coordination and stepping forward and backward. There is also a Biodex Balance System, which can help assess patients’ risk of falls, improve their center of gravity and stability.

Lynn Zanetti, the rehabilitation manager, said the skilled nursing facility has 60 beds, about 15 of which are for short-term patients, and the remaining are for long-term residents. Short-term patients may come to the facility after orthopedic surgery, a stroke or for cardiac care, for example.

The facility employees about 75 people, including per diem nurses and staff.

"The place has such a nice country, at-home feeling," First Selectman Denise Menard, who participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony, said. "It is a great business to have in town."

Heather Carolan, a social worker at Touchpoints, said that center employees were pleased with the turnout at the open house and ribbon cutting. Carolan said they have had rehabilitation at the facility for long-term patients, but they wanted to introduce the new unit designed for short-term patients.

“We help people be able to do things on their own again,” she said.

Carolan said occupational therapy includes the use of a kitchen and practicing other daily living activities. She also helps families connect with services, such as the Visiting Nurses Association.

The skilled nursing facility managed by iCare, which runs nine nursing homes in the state, including in East Windsor, Touchpoints at Manchester and in Manchester.