Keystone Receives $700K Grant to Implement Award-Winning Technology to Improve Senior Care

By Jon Anderson, PT, Therapy Resource

Technology makes life better in so many different ways. It could be robotic surgery, skipping the toll booth on the highway or paying for groceries with your phone. It’s also helping Keystone seniors have a safer, healthier life. Thanks to a generous $700K grant received, Keystone has selected It’s Never 2 Late® (iN2L) to provide senior-centered digital engagement technology throughout 10 of its communities that will impact nearly 1,000 senior residents across Texas.

Keystone facilities residents and caregivers will have access to the full breadth of iN2L systems. These include iN2L Engage, which supports the company’s continuously updated library of personalized engagement content, and allows caregivers to reach seniors where they are, regardless of physical or cognitive abilities. In all, nearly 200 systems are scheduled for implementation, as gateways to iN2L’s vast applied content library.

How does it work?

Residents and caregivers use a touchscreen to easily access and “favorite” educational, spiritual and social content personalized to their unique preferences, as well as their level of cognitive, physical and technical ability. They’re able to access email and web cams to connect with family and friends, participate in mind-stimulating activities and improve hand-eye coordination.

The senior-friendly design makes it easy for residents, even those who have never used computer technology before, to stimulate their intellectual curiosity, prompt joyful memories and stay connected with the people in their lives — individually, in group settings or one-on-one with caregivers. Additionally, the mobility of the technology enables caregivers to take the technology where the resident is — a patient’s room, a common area or a favorite cozy corner of the community.

For caregivers, iN2L personalizes engagement with residents and aids in care workflow through device settings configurable for each senior. iN2L also supports initiatives to improve memory care, mitigate the effects of boredom and loneliness, and modify negative or unhealthy behaviors.

The system also has applications for physical, occupational and speech therapies. The platform includes music specifically for residents with sundown syndrome, which is a state of confusion among people with dementia that occurs late in the afternoon and spans into the evening. The sundowner music calms them down and lets them know everything is OK.

The iN2L platform can also help forge social connections among residents and staff. Each user has access to the content suite with their own personalized landing page where they can add a “my story” function — a virtual scrapbook that shares their background with the community. There’s also an option for residents’ family members to upload videos or photos to their page so they can view special events like a grandchild’s graduation or recital. The idea is to share information with each other and provide talking points, which naturally increases socialization. You find things out that are just really exciting about each other.

Some residents have used the iN2L system to play trivia and access Google Maps to show staff a virtual tour of where they grew up or where they worked. For example, one patient showed a community college, where she once served as director of the school’s nursing program.

About iN2L:

Colorado-based It’s Never 2 Late was co-founded by Jack York, his late brother, Tom, and Leslie Sweeney in 1999. The business grew out of Sweeney’s suggestion to donate computers to assisted-living facilities and nursing centers in California, said York, president of It’s Never 2 Late. “We just donated some computers without any thought of it being a business,” York said.

York, who at the time worked for semiconductor manufacturer Vishay Intertechnology Inc., saw potential to connect seniors with technology, but through a platform that was more user-friendly than a traditional computer. “We know people who were doctors, teachers, lawyers and welders. They deserved so much better than the programming that took place within a community,” he said. “People still want to stay engaged and enjoy their day, so what we try to do is make it easy for that person and staff around them to be able to address that person’s unique interests.”

York said although there was some initial skepticism surrounding the platform, programming has evolved based on requests from users and has since become accepted among senior-living facilities nationwide to engage seniors with technology. “The first 10 years were pretty tough with trying to move the needle on the perception of what people could and couldn’t do in nursing homes,” York said. “We were fascinated with touch-screen technology way before it was mainstream, and, as years have gone by, we’ve become a content company as much as anything else.”

The iN2L platform is now in more than 3,000 senior-living communities in the United States and Canada. “People make erroneous assumptions of what people can and can’t do, especially folks living with dementia,” York said. “This technology is a marvelous tool for them to still be relevant and experience joy.”

SLPs’ Role in Fall Prevention

Submitted by Tamala Sammons, MA CCC-SLP, Senior Therapy Resource

Contributed from the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA.org)

https://www.asha.org/practice/reimbursement/medicare/medicare-patient-driven-payment-model/#Fall

Factors such as depression, hearing loss, medication management, cognitive impairments and poor sleep all impact a patient’s risk for falls as well as their ability to report them in a timely fashion. Good clinical practice dictates determining whether these risk factors play a role in the care of the patients in SNFs. Approximately 60% of older adults with cognitive impairment fall annually, almost two times more than their peers without a cognitive impairment (Eriksson, et al., 1993). Among individuals with dementia, fall frequency can even reach as high as 80% (Shaw et al, 2003). The high prevalence of falls among patients with dementia, despite relatively intact motor function, highlights the idea that falls are often not just a motor problem (Van Iersel, et al, 2006). Risk of persistently high expenditures for fall-related injuries among older Medicare community-dwelling fee-for-service beneficiaries is significantly higher for individuals with cognitive impairments, which leads to hospital/facility readmissions (Hoffman, et al., 2017).

SLPs can help detect cognitive impairment to identify older adults who are at higher risk for falling. Cognitive impairment can be a risk factor for falls and a barrier to safe/independent discharge to prior living environments consequent to the fall. SLPs have a critical role in assessing cognitive-communication and cognitive deficits in patients of all ages, including patients who have had a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or suffer from a neurodegenerative condition such as Parkinson’s disease, and all forms of dementia. Appropriate referrals can help SLPs design interventions so the patient can reduce their fall risk (e.g., designing memory aids and cues to help the individual follow safety precautions and self-regulate impulsive behaviors). Emerging evidence indicates that cognitive interventions have effects that carry over from the cognitive to the physical domain to enhance gait, and may reduce fall frequency (Segev-Jacubovski, et al, 2011).

The Importance of a Strong Partnership with Dietary

By Emily Clark, RD, Endura Nutrition Services Resource, & Tamala Sammons, MA CCC-SLP, Therapy Resource

Dietary and Therapy have a very meaningful partnership in our facilities. Communication between the two departments is critical. Here are a few areas where Dietary and Therapy can work together for patient success.

PDPM

It’s important to partner with the Dietary team when capturing information for section K on the MDS for the SLP Case Mix. Dietary and Therapy will work together to accurately assess for a swallow disorder and mechanically altered diets. Examples include: referring to SLP documentation to capture a swallow impairment in therapy notes during the seven-day look back when on a mechanically altered diet; referring to SLP documentation to assess for a swallow impairment if a patient is NPO; and clearly documenting needs for mechanically altered diets.

Diets

In addition to partnering with traditional modified diets, there is a new IDDSI diet classification system. Some facilities and vendors are moving toward changes per the IDDSI system. The new diets are also now available in PCC. Collaboration will be imperative when integrating any changes and training facility staff. A good partnership also helps when trialing new diet textures or new foods — having a good relationship and communication helps everyone get what is needed for the patient in a timely and efficient manner.

NPO

Partnering with Dietary is critical when Speech therapy is working with NPO patients and working toward transitioning back to oral diets. Dietitians will need to collaborate on continuous vs. bolus tube feedings; assessing percentage of oral intake vs. need for tube feeding; and when to safely discontinue tube feeding due to adequate oral intake.

Weight Loss

Weight has emerged as a principal screening and monitoring indicator in post-acute and long-term care. It is easy to measure, and the measurement is reasonably accurate and reproducible, noninvasive and acceptable to most patients. Dietitians are great partners as they track and trend weight loss. Rehab teams need to review this information to determine if interventions are warranted. For example, is there a swallowing issue? Is there a need for supplements? Is there a need for need for adaptive equipment? Could more physical activity help? SLPs may also be able to help contribute to interventions as they see what foods the patient likes and does well with, or more about their eating patterns.

Self-Feeding

Loss of ability to self-feed can impact a patient’s overall oral intake and diminish the quality of life. Partnering with Dietary to determine if adaptive equipment is needed is a great way to help residents. Additionally, Therapy needs to assess how meals are served — for example, small portions, individual bowls at a time, etc.

Dehydration

It is important to partner with Clinical and Dietary to determine which patients are dehydrated and/or at risk for dehydration. Speech can assess for swallow impairments and/or refusals of thickened liquids. Speech Therapy can assess appropriate patients for Free Water Protocols. Occupational Therapy can assess for self-feeding and potential needs for adaptive cups. All disciplines can offer their patients hydration during therapy sessions. Therapy can also help participate in facility-wide hydration breaks for the residents.

Wound Care

Partnering with Dietary is essential when addressing wound care. Both Dietary and all Therapy disciplines review labs to determine patients’ protein levels, as well as review meal intake to determine if patients are consuming adequate nutrition and hydration for wound healing.

Dementia

Patients with dementia often lack awareness of the need for eating and may have difficulty sensing hunger and thirst. As the disease progresses, patients become unable to recognize foods, have difficulty remembering social dining skills and have short attention spans, which affects their ability to sit long enough to complete a meal. Therapy and Dietary can partner to assess dining room setup. For example, provide smaller dining areas to remind patients of home, arrange seating to enhance the meal experience, determine food preferences and dietary needs, and match the food items and food presentation to a patient’s current abilities (finger foods, certain utensils, etc.) in order to eliminate a source of potential frustration at meal times.

Highlights on Nursing and Therapy Partnership Collaboration at St. Elizabeth Healthcare and Rehabilitation

By Dennis Baloy, DOR/ OTR/L /OTD/s

St. Elizabeth was one of the facilities recently acquired by Ensign in May 2019. Coming in new to the facility as a rehab director in a team that has been together for a significant number of years, I had both feelings of uncertainty and excitement. This was until I met our Director of Nursing, Madelyn Tan. I’ve heard of her reputation to be one of the best in the industry — clinically, operationally and personally. The first time I met her, I instantly felt her warmth and genuine compassion. She openly welcomed me to our team and even prepared and cooked a special chicken dish (which we both grew up eating). Talk about hospitality!

Ever since then, I’ve held the highest regard on how she and our administrator manage the Nursing department and also the entire facility. The collaboration and open discussion during our stand-up meetings are efficient, healthy, and straight to the point and patient-centered. She always upholds the best interests of our residents and staff. Our interactions have always been professional and informative and at the same time enveloped with respect and love.

Early on, we already developed and implemented a robust facility-wide Fall Program that resulted in decreased overall falls. The Rehabilitation team and nurses also conduct a weekly graduation program that celebrates the successes of each resident who go back to the community. Also, both departments hold joint in-services and training for the staff and residents, such as use of correct biomechanics, transfers and RNA training.

With Ms. Mady’s sweet demeanor and strong vision for our facility, together with my creative and go-get-it attitude, Nursing and Rehab’s tandem has never been more fun, efficient and effective!

In St. Elizabeth, the CAPLICO values truly live on!

Teamwork — Therapy/Nursing Partnership

By Patty Fantauzzo, COTA, CTO, Therapy Program Manager, and Julia Temple Healthcare, Englewood, CO

Wendy Power, DON (L) and Patty Fantauzzo, TPM

I often get asked the same question regarding the success of our LTC programming here at Julia Temple. My answer is always the same: You need to have the support of your DON first and foremost. Imagine going to work every day with great ideas for programming. Your Therapy team endorses your great ideas, but frustration sets in when there isn’t any carryover or follow-through after Therapy steps out. The struggle is real and can lead to burnout, not only for DORs, but for therapists as well.

A huge part of our programming success is the result of our DON, Wendy Power, sharing the same goals and seeking the same outcomes as Therapy for our residents. Of course, it’s a two-way street and both the DOR and DON need to be open to hearing the cold hard facts and collaborating on ideas for solutions, whether it be related to a Nursing or Therapy concern. Mutual respect and trusting one another opens the doors for trial and error without judgement on both sides.

Wendy embraces our ideas, and holds all parties involved accountable, including my own team and vice versa. She truly understands that there isn’t just “one way,” especially with regards to our population of residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s, when addressing needs and care. This allows the Therapy team to be creative with treatment approaches and care planning interventions.

Physicians being able to change a DX from “pain” to a sensory integration deficit with DC of pain medication; CNAs providing care without resident resistance; improved QMs, especially related to skin, falls and weights; staff being able to quickly identify and correct resident equipment mix-ups and cognitive abilities — these are just a few of the many important benefits that are a result of Wendy and I working together to ensure our residents and staff have what they need to provide compassionate, effective and quality care to our residents. In the end, it’s the residents who ultimately benefit, which is also a win for Nursing and Therapy.

Therapist Profile: Jason Niemeier, PT, Arvada Care & Rehabilitation, Arvada, CO

Our team at Arvada has been such a great learning environment, and I am just happy to be a part of all the exciting things we have been able to achieve in the two years I’ve been working there. Below are the answers to the therapist profile questions.

FYI the picture of me flying is me testing out the comfort level of a new harness system I acquired for our gym.

What inspired you to become a physical therapist?

Unfortunately, I never had a single moment that inspired me to go to PT school and become a therapist. I have always enjoyed teaching others, challenging myself and being active. I began running out of appealing options to pursue with my bachelor’s degree and decided PT school was my last option. Only once I was in PT school did I realize that this profession encompassed all of my passions together and ended up being a perfect fit for me.

What is your favorite thing about your work?

My favorite thing about work is getting to see patients and residents make big breakthroughs in functionality and independence.

How do you stay motivated and passionate about what you do?

My patients are my motivators. This profession allows me to have a front-row view of how fragile our health is and how most of us, including myself, take that for granted in our younger years. Knowing that I play a large role in helping my patients regain their independence is a very rewarding and humbling feeling that fuels my passion and motivation.

What is one thing you would change about your job if you could?

More vacation days!

What is one thing that would surprise people to know about you?

I used to have a mohawk in high school.

What is your favorite Disney character, and why?

Nemo because that was my nickname when I was younger.

What makes your team at Arvada special?

Our Therapy team is truly incredible for many reasons, but the thing that stands out most to me is our ability to effectively create a laid-back, comical, approachable and professional environment that helps us be so successful. We really get along well and enjoy our time together.

What is your favorite core value in CAPLICO, and why?

My favorite core value is easily customer second! When I was first introduced to CAPLICO, that core value really stood out. It was backwards from the popular phrase “The customer is always right.” After putting some thought to it, I realized its brilliancy. Health care professionals play a vital role in society and subject themselves to stressful and emotional situations every day. We must make sure that each and every day we offer the best versions of ourselves to our co-workers, patients, families, etc. The only way to offer the best version of ourselves is to make our own health and well-being the top priority. Customer second really captures this philosophy.

Why is Colorado the best state to live in?

Colorado is the best state to live in because of the mountains. This state is a gigantic playground for all outdoor enthusiasts such as myself.

What is your favorite way to spend time when you are not working?

I try to spend all of my free time outdoors. The more physically and mentally challenging the activity, the better.

WELL (We Embrace Living|Loving Life!) — We Can Make a Difference!

Incorporating a WELL Lifestyle can help to prevent or halt Diabetes! November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes.

By Angela Ambrose, contributing writer

Healthy Eating and Exercise to Slow or Reverse Diabetes?

Many diabetics view their diagnosis as a lifelong sentence of taking daily medications and dealing with the complications of chronically elevated blood sugar levels. However, numerous studies indicate that small lifestyle changes have the potential to prevent or halt the progression of this disease.

Over 30 million Americans have diabetes, and nearly one-quarter of these cases are undiagnosed, according to the 2017 National Diabetes Statistics Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Diabetes Cases Are Soaring

Diabetes is expected to dramatically increase from one in 10 Americans to one in three by the year 2050. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes, in which the body’s cells develop insulin resistance.

The alarming rate of type 2 diabetes is fueled by unhealthy lifestyle trends such as obesity, physical inactivity and poor eating habits. A growing aging population may push this rate even higher in the coming years. Other risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood glucose.

More than one-third of Americans have prediabetes, which puts them at high risk of developing full-blown type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease.

Adopt a Healthy Whole Food Diet

Many people rely heavily on medications to manage their diabetes and overlook the single most important factor in controlling diabetes — eating healthy foods and limiting portion sizes.

“In many cases, diabetes can be completely reversed, particularly in the early stages, if we start with the dietary treatment of diabetes early enough after the diagnosis,” says Dr. Hana Kahleova, director of clinical research for Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and author of Vegetarian Diet in the Treatment of Diabetes. “Oftentimes, after switching to a predominantly plant-based diet, people start losing weight, their blood sugar normalizes, and they may even be able to reduce or completely drop off their medications.”

Kahleova recommends a diet that emphasizes plant-based whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains. While no single eating pattern is right for everyone, the American Diabetes Association suggests the Mediterranean, DASH and vegetarian diets as healthy options to consider.

Exercise Regularly in Short Spurts

Exercise not only strengthens the body and burns calories, but also helps release tension and reduce cortisol stress hormones, which may have a positive impact on glucose levels. When you exercise, your cells become more responsive to insulin, which allows more glucose from your blood into your cells to use as fuel when you work out.

All physical activity offers benefits, but for most people brisk walking is the simplest way to get started. Aim for 30 minutes daily with short bursts of exercise spread out throughout the day.

“For people with diabetes, it’s better to go on a brisk walk after each meal for 10 minutes,” says Kahleova. “That helps with glycemic control better than just one workout session for 30 minutes.”

Get More Sleep, Sunshine and Vitamin D

Getting enough sleep and going to bed early can increase the secretion of the hormone melatonin, which in turn, promotes insulin sensitivity. Kahleova recommends going to bed no later than 10 p.m. and getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Reducing your exposure to blue light from digital devices two hours before bed can also improve sleep.

To up your production of melatonin at night, spend time outdoors in the sunlight. This also helps your body produce more vitamin D.

“Many people with diabetes are vitamin D deficient,” says Kahleova. “Vitamin D is important, not only for bone density and calcium, but also for our immune system and increasing insulin sensitivity.

Shedding a Few Pounds Can Make a Big Difference

About 88 percent of adults with diagnosed diabetes are either overweight or obese. Losing as little as 5 to 10 percent of your body weight and exercising for 20 to 30 minutes daily may help prevent or slow the progression of type 2 diabetes, according to the CDC’s latest Consensus Report.

For a person weighing 200 pounds, that means losing 10 to 20 pounds.

Be Open to Change

We can’t change our genetics, but we do have the ability to change our eating, exercise and sleep habits.

“If we all made these small changes, the rate of diabetes would go down dramatically,” says Kahleova. “These are things that are doable. We just need to do them consistently.”

WELL Challenge! Share your own stories about nutrition, exercise and sleep habits that work for you! Here are two simple ways to share. Choose the one that works best for you:

  1. From your smartphone, visit EnsignTherapy.com, click “WELL” at the top of the page, then click “Share your Story” from the top of the WELL Site. There you’ll find room to share a short story and upload a picture from your phone.
  2. From your Instagram account, share a picture and caption and remember to hashtag both #CAPLICOwell and #CAPLICOnation.

We look forward to seeing your inspiring stories as a collaborator to our WELL Project.

Dignifying Therapy in the Eyes of the World

By Brad Heal, OTR/L, DOR, Desert Terrace Healthcare, Phoenix, AZ

This past October, Craig Johnson PT, the Lead Physical Therapist at Desert Terrace, traveled with the nonprofit organization Wheels for the World to the Middle Eastern country of Jordan. This is the 11th volunteer journey that Craig has made with this organization. Other trips have taken him to Peru, Brazil, Costa Rica, Haiti, Ukraine and Guatemala. Wheels for the World receives donated broken wheelchairs and refurbishes them through a program with the prison system. Those wheelchairs are then shipped to the country the organization is assisting. Then a team of occupational therapists and physical therapists customize the wheelchairs for needy people in the area.

Craig travelled with a team of 13 physical and occupational therapists to Jordan. In a span of two weeks, this team developed customized seating systems for 300 wheelchairs. Eighty percent of the wheelchairs were created for children. Most of these children had physical challenges from birth, including cerebral palsy and spina bifida. Most of these children had never had a wheelchair, much less a wheelchair fitted just for them.

While in Jordan, Craig and the other therapists provided wheelchair workshops for two days at orphanages. They travelled to the Syrian border and spent two days fitting wheelchairs near the Syrian refugee camp. They also customized wheelchairs for a day by the West Bank. By invitation of the Crown Prince, the team of therapists visited and performed wheelchair evaluations and customization at the Wounded Soldier’s Hospital.

In this time of change in the healthcare world, Craig Johnson and other volunteers, who donate their time and their talents, remind us why we became therapists. Their service shines as an example of dignifying therapy in the eyes of the world and the core value of love one another.

Creating a Movement!

By Cheri Prince, Therapy Resource

Have you heard about it? There’s a spark, and it’s starting to catch fire! Last week’s workshops had over 30 participants in total — and this is just the beginning!

PDWELL came from a desire to do more to meet the needs of the Parkinson’s community in the Omaha metro area. As a Physical Therapist and Rehabilitation Director at a skilled nursing facility, I had the opportunity to develop a Parkinson’s program over the last six years. Through this experience, we identified a need for a place for Persons with Parkinson’s Disease (PwPD) to go for Parkinson’s-specific therapy, exercise classes, education and resources.

While there are Parkinson’s offerings in town, the services are fragmented, with most people attending classes at many different locations in the area in order to meet their needs and/or interests. The same issue exists for support groups. Many PwPD attend multiple groups in order to obtain all of the education and support they and their care partners are looking for.

In addition, many people don’t know where to go to obtain Parkinson’s-specific therapy services. They get an MD order for therapy but are frustrated by the non-specific services they may receive at a typical outpatient clinic. Based on the feedback from physicians and the PwPD in the community, the concept of PDWELL was born.

The three pillars of PDWELL include Exercise (skilled therapy and exercise classes), Education (patient, caregiver and professional) and Community (fostering a sense of community among the members). We are establishing PDWELL initially with a focus on the pillars of education and community.

Education:

PDWELL is offering an educational workshop based on the book Every Victory Counts, developed by the Davis Phinney Foundation. This is a nine-week workshop that focuses on living well with Parkinson’s. It’s being offered two times per week and is open to anyone with Parkinson’s, their caregivers or any other person who provides care to persons with PD.

We are getting the word out about PDWELL and the workshop through support groups, visiting PD-specific exercise classes in Omaha, as well as informing health care providers in the Parkinson’s community. Participants will be going through the interactive lessons on topics such as Parkinson’s symptoms, exercise and nutrition, assembling a wellness team, and navigating your Parkinson’s with your care partner.

Other educational workshops are being developed and will be both ongoing, like Every Victory Counts, as well as specific “boot camp” sessions for the newly diagnosed. We are planning other special events such as physician presentations and special topics of interest, such as Nutrition, Current Research in PD and pharmacology considerations.

Another component of education that PDWELL will provide is professional-level education. Currently, we have two CEU courses that have been developed and will be held in October and November in Omaha, Nebraska: Gait impairments and Parkinson’s Disease for PTs and PTAs, and Dual Tasking and Parkinson’s Disease for PTs, OTs and SLPs. In November, Practical Approaches to the Assessment and Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease will be offered in San Antonio, Texas, for PTs, PTAs, OTs and COTAs.

Community:

PDWELL is developing community in multiple ways. First of all, our educational offerings will bring a sense of community through learning and sharing experiences. The Omaha-area Parkinson’s community will be invited to “Give a Gift to Themselves” in December as we gather together to prepare Aware in Care kits from the Parkinson’s Foundation. These kits are designed to help ensure preparation in the event of a medical need. We are currently planning social outings and non-educational gatherings such as a ping-pong tournament as well as intergenerational offerings based around exercise and healthy living, such as cooking foods that are “brain rich” for Parkinson’s. We are reaching out into the community to bring in resources that will enrich their lives while they share the knowledge and passion they have for their hobbies/recreational activities.

PDWELL is sponsoring local Parkinson’s events. On Sept. 29, we sponsored Walk the Park for Parkinson’s, which is a 5K and fun run/walk for Parkinson’s Nebraska. We also provided educational support during the recent Nebraska Medicine 2019 Patient and Caregiver Symposium held on Oct. 14.

Cheri and her daughters at our PDWELL Booth at the Parkinson’s Walk in NE

PDWELL is also participating nationally with Parkinson’s Foundation through hosting viewing parties for their 2019-2020 Expert Briefing series on topics such as “Coping with Dementia for Care Partners” as well as “Optimal Exercise Strategies for Stability, Stamina and Strength.” As an “Aware in Care Kit Ambassador,” I will be educating the Parkinson’s community in Nebraska on the benefit of utilizing an Aware in Care Kit for every inpatient stay. We are on the planning committee both for Moving Day Omaha — a walk for Parkinson’s through the Parkinson’s Foundation — and the 2020 Victory Summit from the Davis Phinney Foundation.

In addition to these PD-focused events, I have had the opportunity to work closely with some of our local post-acute care facilities to further develop Parkinson’s programs and provide input and support with patients.

One of our PDWELL Workshops in Omaha being led by Cheri

I could not be more excited to be a part of an organization that supports building programs like PDWELL, which can lead to life-changing impact! I am so blessed to have the opportunity to serve the Parkinson’s community here in the Omaha metro and beyond!

Note: If you would like more information on interrupting the course of Parkinson’s disease in your community, please reach out to Cheri Prince, Therapy Resource, at ChePrince@ensignservices.net. Cheri is also offering upcoming courses through www.EnsignTherapy.com.