Rehab center in Niles aims for upscale-hotel feel

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Updated: March 12, 2012 1:15AM

When you step into the dining room at Regency Rehabilitation Center in Niles, you may feel like you’ve entered an upscale restaurant.

The rehabilitation center that changed owners a few years ago has received an award from Long Term Living Magazine for Best in Category for remodeling their dining room.

The dining room features white table cloths, a serving buffet and offers a wide variety of entrees and fresh salads, soup and fruit.

“The food is definitely upscale from the average nursing facility,” said Lori Barrish, administrator at Regency Rehabilitation Center, 6631 N. Milwaukee Ave.

The dining room offers a four-week seasonal menu cycle, providing a variety of options for residents. Eating together in the dining room is a great bonding opportunity for residents, according to staff.

In addition to the dining room, various areas of the center were remodeled and the work was completed in May. The center features on-site dialysis, a cardiac unit and a therapy unit for people that have various medical issues, such as hip and knee replacements. The center provides physical, occupational and speech therapy to residents.

Each day residents line up to receive frosty treats at the popular ice-cream parlor, and volunteers work at the candy store in order to keep busy.

Rooms feature upscale appointments, such as flat-screen TVs and granite counter tops. The facility also features five patio areas.

According to Ron Nunziato, vice president of SIR management, the goal was to make the facility feel like home or a nice hotel.

In fact, just like at upscale hotels, residents will be able to order room service straight from the TV. There are also microwaves and refrigerators in the rooms.

The therapy unit features various areas where residents can practice everyday actions, such as cooking their favorite recipes, grocery shopping and climbing stairs. Caryl Kiser, marketing director of Regency Rehabilitation Center, said residents love to cook meals that they make at home, and share their food and stories with other residents.

Nunziato said the center is also looking at offering outpatient therapy so former residents can continue to receive therapy from the same people they worked with while living at the center.

“We are looking at this as a holistic way to meet the needs of the community,” Nunziato said.