The doors to NeuLife Neurological Rehabilitation Services, an inpatient rehab facility in Mount Dora, Florida, remained open to serve patients, families, pets and staff during Hurricane Irma. NeuLife was, and continues to be, fully operational to serve the needs of its patients and the community, thanks to a highly professional and committed staff and the purchase of a $200,000 emergency generator, last year, which provided continuous electricity and air conditioning throughout our care facility.

Immediately prior to Hurricane Irma, NeuLife implemented its highest level of emergency readiness in preparation for winds predicted to reach 129 mph with higher gusts, according to Lake County officials. Clinical and non-clinical staff designated as Team A, the “Preparation” team, reported to the facility on Saturday, September 9, prepared to stay in-house with their families and pets until after the hurricane. Dedicated family and staff sleeping areas were assigned, a child care center was established, complete with a game room for entertainment and a pet shelter was created for the family pets.

Hurricane Irma tore through Mount Dora overnight Sunday and into Monday, bringing maximum sustained winds that reached as high as 76 mph, causing downed trees, blocked roadways and widespread power outages. As soon as the County announced it was safe to travel on local roads, NeuLife Team B, the Recovery Team, including clinical, non-clinical and support staff (therapy) relieved Team A and assisted in hurricane clean-up and other recovery efforts.

Throughout the storm, NeuLife maintained its focus – the safety and well-being of its patients. To its credit, NeuLife was able to maintain continuity and continue to provide high quality patient care and staffing without disruption.

Nikki Eldridge, RN, Director of Nursing at NeuLife Rehab said “Everyone did an awesome job during Hurricane Irma. Everything ran smoothly and we were able to continue to provide excellent care to those we serve. I have received many compliments from client’s and their families about how well the team did during the hurricane. We had several go above and beyond to be sure everything ran smoothly. I am honored to be a part of the team. I am very proud of everyone’s compassion and team work through this exhausting time.”

About NeuLife Rehabilitation Services
NeuLife Rehabilitation is one of the largest residential post-acute rehabilitation programs of its kind specializing in catastrophic rehabilitation for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and other complex injuries. Individuals who have experienced a catastrophic or complex work injury or illness such as a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, amputation, severe burn, complex orthopedic injury, stroke or other debilitating condition can now access quality specialized rehabilitation in a therapeutic, residential environment that offers individualized care and programming that will help them achieve the highest level of functional independence and the best quality of life.

NeuLife is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Programs include inpatient general and neurological rehabilitation, behavioral/cognitive therapy, community reintegration and Supported Living.

NeuLife’s mission is to provide a comprehensive outcomes-based program of neuro rehabilitation to support and promote the improvement of the quality of life of our patients. Based on our most recent data, our patients achieve an average functional improvement of 80% from admission to discharge. Our average length of stay is 60 days. In addition, 86% of our patients are discharged to home, work or school and successfully reintegrated into the community.

Read more about our Brain Injury Center, Post Acute Rehab, and Residential Rehabilitation programs.

For additional information about NeuLife, please visit www.NeuLifeRehab.com or call us at 1-800-626-3876. Please also feel free to contact our Clinical Liaisons, Wendy McCracken at 904-534-2518, Brandy Narciso at 813-892-5471 or Fred Langan at 727-308-8073 to discuss a possible referral.