Huntington’s Disease Program | Fresh River Healthcare

Huntington Disease Program Partnership

Click here for Fresh River Healthcare Center’s Huntington’s Disease Program Brochure

Fresh River Healthcare is honored to be a designated partner with the UConn Health Huntington’s Disease (HD) Program.

Through a collaborative agreement between Fresh River and the UConn Health HD Program, our staff works with specialists to develop expertise in caring for the long-term care needs of this distinct group of individuals.

Fresh River Healthcare Center and UConn Health’s partnership will enhance the care of patients with this disease. The goal of the collaboration is to deliver a continuum of care that strives to maximize function and quality of life for individuals living with Huntington’s Disease.

The HD program at Fresh River Healthcare is coordinated externally by a UConn Health APRN who specializes in Huntington’s Disease.  The expert clinician provides education for the nursing staff allowing for a foundational understanding of HD. Our skilled nursing professionals understand our residents’ needs and have the skills to provide the quality health care they require. Our attending Physicians, APRNs and Optum Health APRN provide daily oversight and routine care for residents in conjunction with consultations from neurologists and other specialists.

Specialized Huntington’s Disease Care in Connecticut

Fresh River Healthcare is proud to offer one of the region’s specialized skilled nursing and long-term care programs for individuals living with Huntington’s Disease (HD). Located in East Windsor, Connecticut and serving Greater Hartford, Northern Connecticut, and the broader New England region, our Huntington’s Disease Program provides compassionate, interdisciplinary care designed to support the complex physical, neurological, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive challenges associated with HD.

Our team understands that Huntington’s Disease affects every individual differently and evolves over time. Through a person-centered approach, specialized clinical expertise, adaptive technologies, therapeutic programming, and coordinated support services, we strive to help residents maintain dignity, comfort, function, engagement, and quality of life throughout every stage of the disease process.

Grant-Funded Enhancements and Specialized Therapeutic Equipment

Fresh River Healthcare continues to invest in innovative programming, adaptive technologies, and specialized therapeutic equipment designed to better support residents living with Huntington’s Disease and other complex neurological conditions.

Through recent grant-supported enhancements to the program, Fresh River Healthcare expanded its therapeutic and supportive care environment with specialized equipment focused on mobility, safety, sensory support, comfort, rehabilitation, and quality of life. These additions help support residents with the physical, cognitive, behavioral, and functional challenges often associated with progressive neurological disease.

Program enhancements and specialty equipment may include:

• Advanced adaptive rehabilitation equipment

• Specialized positioning and supportive seating systems

• Therapeutic mobility and exercise equipment

• Sensory and calming supports

• Enhanced safety and fall-prevention technologies

• Specialized beds and environmental modifications

• Therapeutic recreation and engagement resources

• Adaptive supports designed for residents with movement disorders and functional decline

These investments support Fresh River Healthcare’s interdisciplinary approach to Huntington’s Disease care by helping residents maintain mobility, participation, comfort, engagement, and the highest practical level of independence possible.

Our rehabilitation, nursing, recreation, and behavioral health teams work collaboratively to incorporate these therapeutic supports into individualized care plans tailored to each resident’s evolving needs and abilities.

Comprehensive Skilled Nursing and Long-Term Care Support

Fresh River Healthcare provides specialized skilled nursing and long-term care services for residents living with Huntington’s Disease and related neurological conditions. Residents benefit from ongoing clinical oversight and individualized care planning provided by an experienced interdisciplinary team.

Services and supports may include:

• 24-hour licensed nursing care

• Medication management and monitoring

• Behavioral health support

• Nutritional support and weight management

• Swallowing support and dysphagia management

• Fall prevention and mobility assistance

• Adaptive equipment and positioning support

• Wound care and complex medical management

• Hospice and palliative care coordination

• Family support and care planning

Our team recognizes the unique movement disorders, cognitive changes, behavioral symptoms, communication challenges, and emotional needs often associated with Huntington’s Disease. Care plans are individualized to support both resident safety and independence whenever possible.

Specialized Rehabilitation and Therapy Services

Residents living with Huntington’s Disease may benefit from individualized rehabilitation services designed to help maintain mobility, function, communication, safety, and quality of life.

Therapy services may include:

• Physical Therapy

• Occupational Therapy

• Speech Therapy

• Cognitive support strategies

• Swallowing and communication interventions

• Adaptive equipment training

• Balance and mobility support

• Positioning and seating evaluations

Fresh River Healthcare continues to invest in specialized rehabilitation technologies and adaptive therapeutic equipment designed to support residents with progressive neurological conditions and movement disorders. Our rehabilitation team works closely with nursing and clinical staff to help residents maintain the highest practical level of function and comfort.

Behavioral Health and Emotional Support

Huntington’s Disease can involve complex behavioral health and emotional challenges that may include anxiety, depression, impulsivity, mood changes, irritability, or cognitive decline. Fresh River Healthcare’s interdisciplinary team includes behavioral health support services designed to provide structure, consistency, emotional support, and individualized behavioral interventions within a skilled nursing environment.

Our approach emphasizes compassion, dignity, trauma-informed care, and person-centered support while helping residents maintain meaningful routines, social engagement, and emotional well-being.

Therapeutic Recreation and Meaningful Engagement

Meaningful engagement and social connection remain important throughout all stages of Huntington’s Disease. Fresh River Healthcare offers therapeutic recreation programming designed to encourage participation, enjoyment, stimulation, and quality of life.

Programs may include:

• Music and sensory programming

• Creative arts and crafts

• Small group activities

• Holiday and community events

• One-to-one engagement

• Adaptive recreational activities

• Cognitive and sensory stimulation

• Family-centered activities

Programming is adapted to residents’ abilities, interests, preferences, and changing needs over time.

Specialized Environment and Adaptive Supports

Fresh River Healthcare continues to enhance its environment and specialty programming to better support residents living with Huntington’s Disease and other neurological conditions. Residents may benefit from adaptive equipment, supportive positioning systems, therapeutic technologies, sensory supports, and individualized environmental modifications designed to improve comfort, safety, mobility, and overall quality of life.

Our interdisciplinary team regularly evaluates resident needs and works collaboratively to implement supportive interventions that help maximize independence and reduce complications associated with progressive neurological disease.

Collaboration with Neurological and Community Resources

Fresh River Healthcare values collaboration with neurologists, specialty providers, hospitals, community organizations, and academic partners involved in the care of individuals living with Huntington’s Disease and movement disorders.

Our team works closely with residents, families, providers, and referral sources to support continuity of care, coordinated treatment planning, and ongoing communication throughout the resident’s stay.

Supporting Residents and Families Through the HD Journey

A diagnosis of Huntington’s Disease impacts not only the individual, but also families and loved ones navigating the challenges of progressive neurological illness. Fresh River Healthcare recognizes the importance of communication, education, emotional support, and compassionate guidance throughout the care journey.

Our staff is committed to building supportive relationships with residents and families while helping individuals maintain dignity, identity, comfort, and connection in a safe and caring environment.

Learn More About Huntington’s Disease Care at Fresh River Healthcare

To learn more about Fresh River Healthcare’s Huntington’s Disease Program, skilled nursing services, rehabilitation programs, or admissions process, please contact our admissions team.

We work closely with hospitals, neurologists, families, and community providers throughout Connecticut and New England to help determine the most appropriate level of care and support for individuals living with Huntington’s Disease and related neurological conditions.

Contact Us

You can always turn to us for more information and assistance with placement for a loved one with Huntington’s Disease. To speak with the Program Director please call (860) 623-9846. 

For more information regarding insurance eligibility or to book a stay at Fresh River Healthcare please call (860) 812-0788.

Resources

Click here for the Huntington Disease Society of America’s Family Guide Series to determining the need for long term care and how to evaluate a Huntington’s Disease program with the long term skilled nursing setting. Evaluate Fresh River Healthcare and see how we compare. 

According to the Huntington Disease Society of America Support Group Newsletter, “There comes a time when one person managing the care, the children, the home, a full time work schedule, with little sleep and no relief in sight will build resentment toward their loved one. Questions that may arise can include, “Is this what I really signed up for?” and “When do I get time for myself?”

“These are natural human reactions in an overwhelming situation. Managing your own feelings of sadness, fear, loss, guilt and confusion can become impossible. Most families deeply regret placing their loved one in a long term care facility but they ultimately admit it was the best thing to do given the circumstances. There are a few long term care facilities around the country that specialize in HD. As these organizations are knowledgeable and familiar with taking care of people with HD, these sites provide an excellent starting point.”