Recovery after a serious cardiac illness, in addition to healing the heart, means restoring strength, confidence, and independence. While that journey can be complex for older adults, The New Jewish Home’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Center delivers specialized cardiac care rarely found outside the hospital setting.

Mr. R arrived at The New Jewish Home’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Center with a complicated cardiac history. He had a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) and was recovering from a hospitalization for pneumonia and worsening heart failure. When he arrived, he and his wife were managing not only a complex device, but also the fear of what could go wrong at home. Caring for LVAD patients requires specialized expertise, and many facilities are unable to accept them. At The New Jewish Home, the team monitored Mr. R’s device throughout his rehabilitation, while coordinating closely with his specialty team. They adjusted medications, tracked subtle changes in his condition, and worked extensively with Mr. R and his wife to ensure they could confidently utilize the device at home. By discharge, he had regained strength and stability.

The New Jewish Home’s short-stay cardiac rehabilitation unit offers specialized inpatient care for older adults recovering from heart failure, cardiac surgery, and other serious heart conditions.

The New Jewish Home was the first skilled nursing facility in New York State to receive disease-specific certification in Congestive Heart Failure from the Joint Commission. First accredited in 2017 and re-accredited for the fourth time in 2026, the program continues to meet rigorous national standards for cardiac care. Few rehabilitation centers in the region can safely care for patients with this level of cardiac complexity—making The New Jewish Home’s program a critical bridge between hospital and home.

During a recent unannounced Joint Commission survey, evaluators conducted detailed “tracer” reviews of real patient cases—and identified zero high-risk patient safety findings. The result is exceptionally rare and underscores the program’s consistently high level of clinical performance.

Central to the program is a highly coordinated interdisciplinary team. Physicians and nurse practitioners work alongside cardiac rehabilitation nurse specialists, therapists, dietitians, pharmacists, and social workers to create individualized recovery plans. That approach is especially critical for patients like Mr. R with complex conditions that often cannot be managed in traditional nursing home settings.

“Readmission to the hospital is extremely low for these patients,” said Shiny Mathew, a nurse practitioner on the team. “They have a better handle on how to stay on top of their health, and they know when to call the doctor if something goes wrong.”

Continuous telemetry monitoring allows clinicians to detect subtle, early warning signs—often before patients feel symptoms—enabling rapid intervention and helping prevent complications and hospital readmissions.

That same level of vigilance and coordination extends to every patient in the program. Mr. S. was newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and heart failure when he came to The New Jewish Home to build strength before an upcoming surgery. Living alone, he needed not only physical recovery, but also the confidence and skills to navigate his condition independently. Through closely monitored therapy and hands-on education, covering diet, weight management, and symptom awareness, he was able to return home stronger and better prepared for what lay ahead.

The program is also equipped to manage highly complex treatments, including continuous intravenous cardiac medications—care that many post-acute settings cannot provide.

Mr. C arrived with advanced heart failure requiring an IV milrinone drip and struggled with his new and serious diagnosis. Over the next two months, the care team worked with Mr. C daily to adjust his medications, coordinate with his hospital physicians, and address his anxiety. Through ongoing education and support, he gained a deeper understanding of his condition and how to manage it, ultimately returning home without repeated hospitalizations.

Education is a cornerstone of the program. Patients and families learn how to recognize warning signs, manage medications, maintain a heart-healthy diet, and respond to changes in their condition—critical tools for staying well after discharge.

Dr. Sana Durrani finds working with heart failure patients fulfilling. “We can see the improvement in their overall functioning,” she said. “With appropriate care management, we help them feel better and understand how their heart works and the symptoms they are experiencing. Being in our program is empowering for our heart failure patients as we help them realize they can still maintain a high quality of life.”

The passionate team at The New Jewish Home’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, is proud to help countless medically complex patients regain the strength and confidence to move forward and live well.