So I just spent a few weeks here, it wasn't my choice but due to health reasons it was required to…read morebe admitted to a Rehab Center and I chose Meridian. I had no idea what to expect and honestly was a bit scared, exhausted and unsure of my situation, since I just spend pretty much all of June at JSUMC.
First check in was pretty simple, I had a split room, with each split having a bed (2 person room), each of the rooms had a dresser, TV, night table and armoire, we shared a extra sink and a small apartment size refrigerator/freezer that really came in handy and a nice size bathroom, with shower and each bed area had it's own AC. My room was right outside the nurse station on the first floor, so lots of activity all the time and we both had a window, which was great for the nice breeze, when the AC wasn't on.
So lets talk Nurse staff. I had really great nurses, Lois was exceptional as was Sara. The nurses aides were really wonderful they helped me get around (I wasn't able to walk), they all made sure I had lots of ice water or juice and if I was hungry they brought me fruit or sandwiches. My meds were explained to me each time and if I didn't feel well, like when I pulled my shoulder/neck muscle, after a couple days of ice and heat, which kinda helped, but didn't 100%, I was able to get medication and a patch which helped tremendously. I have zero complaints with the staff that had to deal with me, I'm not always the easiest patient ( I get moody), but they treated me wonderfully.
The day- The day began early for me, about 5:30am, because I needed my meds and to get ready for my first therapy at 8am. My nurse brought clean towels and wash cloth each morning and afternoon, so I could get up and ready for the day. They made sure my breakfast was the early order, which I might add was pretty cool and since I had therapy twice a day, 8am and 1pm, the nurse brought me clean towels after my second therapy so I could bath. I was able to order from either the standard menu, or I could order whatever the chef had put on the menu for the day. I am not gonna lie the food here as far as I am concerned was, for the most part absolutely delicious, there were a few that were kind of questionable (and I pretty much eat anything), but they served quite a variety and even BBQ one day. Patients have the option to eat in their room or the dining area that is set up like a restaurant, both option are good. If a patient has family coming to visit and wants to eat with the patient, they can pay about $7.00 and order a full meal.
Therapy- Taylor and Joann were my morning therapists, for 1 hour every day they helped me get my balance back, worked on hand / eye coordination, building strength in my arms and legs because my basic motor skills were just not where they should be. My afternoon therapist was Casey, for 1 hour every day, she was my no nonsense get it done- you can do it- don't slack- kind of therapist. She smiles, has a great attitude and really cares about her patients. I appreciated that she took the time to work with me on my fear of stairs and she is the only person I ever met that actually noticed that I had a problem with my left foot when I walked, I'm talking almost 18 years of an issue that I was so accustomed to having and over compensating for, that, I didn't even notice how bad it had progressed and with my medical issue at JSMUC, which just exacerbated the whole problem, I was lucky it was spotted, and lets face it, my weakness on my whole left side, was just compounded by the issue at JSMUC, totally preventable. Casey, said, ya know, I think I see what the problem is here... and now I have a super great brace that helps me be more secure in my walking/standing- I'm still using a walker of course, and there will be no more high heels or flip flops in my future, I'll be wearing this brace pretty much forever and will eventually graduate to a cane, but it will take lots of time. But I have to say, considering what my body went through this summer, I am very happy with the awareness of the problem and with her having a solution, kind of changed my life, I'd say.
There are plenty of activities here, movies, card nights, karaoke, arts/crafts, entertainment and there is a full service hair salon and once a week a lady comes in and gives manicures, prices are reasonable.
I really can't think of much more, but I and my family were very satisfied with the care I received while I was here.