Helen Hayes Hospital

Helen Hayes Hospital is an amazing physical rehab center. It deserves all the accolades it gets! Everyone there is geared to assist in any way possible, whether it’s the janitor or a doctor, they will stop to ask you if they can help, even if you’re just looking for the right room. My elderly father went in on a stretcher, unable to walk, and after a month and a half, he’s back to his old self and doesn’t even need a cane. This past winter was brutal and my dad slipped on ice and hit his head hard on pavement. Blood clots formed around his brain, he collapsed all of a sudden, and was no longer able to walk. He had emergency surgery at a nearby facility to drain out the excess blood, but he still remained immobile. I’m used to going to the best hospitals and seeing the best doctors in NYC and was hesitant to have him admitted to a local hospital. However, people were telling me that Helen Hayes was different and they had a stellar reputation with physical rehab. They were right. My father actually told us that when he was first brought to Helen Hayes and had to endure his diaper being changed because he couldn’t move, he was «ready to give up and let go.» He said that the staff at Helen Hayes wouldn’t allow it, they would talk him through his depression, and would make him do his physical therapy, never taking no for an answer. My father didn’t give up as a result of their kindness, care, and commitment. After 50yrs of marriage, my old dad is now strolling around again with my mom, as if nothing has happened. Helen Hayes gave us more time with him and my family will be forever grateful.

This is a difficult topic for me to write about but I think it is important. When someone you are close to gets hurt, you want the best care possible. That is Helen Hayes. A good friend of mine from home was in a serious car accident the night before Thanksgiving. It was touch and go for a long time but in January he was finally ready to go to a rehab center. His parents originally put him in a crap rehab center (see St. Johnlands review) from which he then had to be rushed back to the ICU. That’s when I definitely became the pushy friend and talked to his parents about Helen Hayes. My aunt’s best friend had a stroke last year and Helen Hayes did wonders.
My friend has been at Helen Hayes for about three months I think although the months blend together. He receives 3.5 hours of intensive therapy every day (PT, OT, Speech, Rec Therapy). Did I mention he is only semi-​conscious? I forget what the term for it is but he is «awake» but not always aware. So they do all of these things even though he isn’t always responsive. The great news is that every day he becomes just a little bit more responsive. He now uses his thumbs to signal «yes.» He improves daily thanks to the staff at Helen Hayes.
Also, they have dorms for family members to use so you don’t have to worry about paying for a hotel. I think they charge you but it is an insignificant amount. This review can go on and on. If you really need more information about Helen Hayes, please contact me. And if you do need more information, I want you to know that there is hope. If there is anything that Helen Hayes teaches you, it is that fact.