A new 20-bed skilled rehabilitation unit to help patients recover from strokes, hip and knee replacements, traumas and other medical problems recently opened in downtown Akron.
University Park Nursing and Rehab Center invested more than $500,000 to remodel a floor to create a 20-bed unit with all private rooms designed for short-term rehabilitation stays, said Anisa Broska, director of marketing and admissions.
“This opening is a reflection of our commitment to providing first-class skilled rehab and specialized care for our patients,” Deborah Cheatham, administrator of University Park, said in a news release. “In addition to our existing capabilities, this new facility will enable us to care for over 98 patients at a time.”
The new unit will employ about 10 to 15 people, in addition to the 100 employees already at the facility, located at 797 E. Market St.
The federal Medicare program for people 65 and older and some younger disabled Americans pays for short-term rehabilitation stays at 100 percent for the first 20 days, Broska said.
Demand for these services is expected to grow as the population ages.
Federal health-care reform and efforts by the state to reduce costs by keeping more patients in their homes rather than nursing homes also is contributing to the need for short-term rehabilitation services, Broska said.
“The goal is to keep them at home,” she said.
University Park is owned by Progressive Quality Care, which has seven other facilities throughout the region. Progressive Quality Care is opening a ninth facility, the Avenue at Medina, next month and breaking ground soon on a 10th location in Aurora.
Akron Walk MS event
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is looking for people willing to step out to help thousands of Ohio residents with the chronic neurological disease.
The Ohio Buckeye Chapter of the MS Society is holding its annual Akron Walk MS on Sunday. The event begins 11:30 a.m. at the University of Akron’s Stile Athletics Field House, 289 S. Union St.
Walks also are planned in North Canton, Massillon and Wooster on Saturday.
The nonprofit organization estimates more than 20,000 Ohio residents have MS, which causes varying symptoms that can range from fatigue and numbness to weakness and paralysis.
Call 800-344-4867 or go online to www.msohiowalk.org.
Diabetes events
The Diabetes Partnership of Cleveland is hosting its 28th annual Swim for Diabetes fundraiser Friday through Sunday at locations throughout Northeast Ohio.
Participating sites in Summit County include:
• Life Center Plus, 5133 Darrow Road, Hudson — 6 to 9 p.m. Friday.
• University of Akron Ocasek Natatorium, 382 Carroll St. — noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.
• Twinsburg Fitness Center, 10075 Ravenna Road — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.
• Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium, 2345 Fourth St. — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.
For more information or to register, go online to www.diabetespartnership.org or call 216-591-0800
Free tai chi event
A free celebration of World Tai Chi and Qigong Day will take place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Lock 3 in downtown Akron.
The event is being co-sponsored by the city of Akron and NG Energy. NG Energy’s Nancy Gardner, a certified tai chi and qigong instructor, will teach the breathing and movement exercises.
The two-hour program is open to people of all ages and physical ability. Participants should bring a lawn chair.
In case of rain, the event will move to the lower level of the O’Neil’s Building by Lock 3 Grotto.
More information is available online at www.ngenergy.us, emailing nancyg@ngenergy.us or calling 330-945-5533.
Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/abjcherylpowell.