Utah

Aquatic Physical Therapy, especially in a modern therapy pool with a treadmill that can be raised and lowered, offers enhanced care and faster recovery from many medical problems. Modern therapy pools offer monitoring cameras so therapists can watch exercising from multiple angles from the side of the pool. They also have recording capability to use in instructing patients on what they are doing right and wrong. Many also offer therapy jets to relax stiff and sore muscles or for increased resistance.Because of the buoyancy of water, the stress of certain exercises is dramatically reduced if done with Aquatic Physical Therapy. A 200 lb. person in a therapy pool with water at half the persons height only experiences the equivalent of exercising while weighing 100 lbs. Buoyancy reduces compressive forces on joints allowing those with chronic pain to walk with greater ease. In addition, while exercising in a pool, the chance of falling is nearly zero. It is a much safer environment than exercising on land.Aquatic Physical Therapy pools can help with many types of rehabilitation exercise, such as are needed after knee or hip surgery. Because of the reduced impact from exercising, therapy can begin up to three weeks earlier than land-based exercises. Not only does this allow faster recovery, but with exercising sooner, it is easier to prevent deconditioning that comes from waiting too long after surgery for therapy to start.Aquatic Physical Therapy can help those recovering from back surgery, suffering from arthritis, dealing with respiratory problems and those suffering from chronic pain. It can help with rheumatic disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.Exercising in an aquatic therapy pool can increase blood flow to an injured area faster. This will increase healing and recovery.Additionally, one of the strengths of aquatic therapy is that it is appropriate for any phase of rehabilitation and for all ages.If you think that aquatic physical therapy might help you, talk to your doctor. He can help access if aquatic physical therapy will be a help with your specific medical issues. Editors Note: This article was submitted by Lyle Black, MPT, Director of Rehabilitation for Sunshine Terrace Foundation. He may be reached at 435-754-0281.

Independent Senior LivingAs we age, many of us are faced with the prospect of revising our living arrangements. While thinking about moving can be a source of anxiety and stress, planning ahead can give you more choices for the future, making a big difference in your level of independence and quality of life. If home upkeep and maintenance has become overwhelming, if youre simply looking for a community with more opportunities to socialize, an independent living community may be a good option. To decide if it is right for you, learn about your choices in independent living, including common types and find help in choosing a residence.Independent Senior Living is a residential living setting for elderly or senior adults that may or may not provide hospitality or supportive services. Under this living arrangement, the senior adult leads an independent lifestyle that requires minimal or no extra assistance.Since independent living is any housing arrangement designed exclusively for seniors, generally those aged 55 and over, the housing varies widely from apartment-style living to freestanding homes. In general, the housing is friendlier to older adults, often being more compact, with easier navigation and assistance. You may also hear the terms retirement communities, retirement homes, senior housing and senior apartments applied to independent living.So, no matter what type of independent living community you consider, you want to make sure you connect with peers and feel comfortable in the community. When you visit the area, talk with some of the residents. Are they people you'd like to know better? Are some of your favorite hobbies or activities available? Are support services timely with friendly staff and are the activities accessible? Is the community in close proximity to shopping and transit venues if needed? Knowing all these things in advance will give you the greatest opportunity to enjoy to the fullest your new apartment or home.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Debbie Grammer.Debbie is a Manager with SilverCrest Senior Community and may be reached at 801-758-9955 or by email at manager@silvercrestapartments.com. For more information visit SilverCrest Senior Community on the web at: www.silvercrestapartments.com

As we consider our responsibility to provide exceptional care for the aging and vulnerable population in Utah, I think it is important to remember that we are all part of the same team! We have all committed to assisting elders in their quest for quality of life, safety, access to health care, comfortable & affordable housing, and companionship!As we reflect upon the following habits of geese, lets re-commit to working collaboratively to ensure that we minimize gaps in services, provide access to benefits, and remember that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect no matter what their circumstances.Geese fly together in the same V formation that means they all agree on where they're headed! (shared goals and cooperation)When the lead goose gets tires, it rotates to the back of the formation and another goose flies at point. (teamwork and support) As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird just behind it. By flying in a V, the whole flock has 71% greater efficiency than flying alone. (share the workload)When a goose falls out of formation he feels the drag of resistance and quickly gets back in line. (Its hard to do it alone trust and delegate)The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those in front to keep up their speed. (Celebrate accomplishments and be positive)When a goose gets sick or wounded, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to protect it. They stay until it can fly again or dies. (Support teammates in good times & bad)Editors Note: Article by Diedra Kearney, Eden Educator, Director for Community Education at Dignity Home Health & Hospice. For more information or request for speaking opportunities, please call 801-860-3801.

A couple months ago, Ray Andrus retired from decades of working for big names in construction. Now he's doing smaller projects for people he's never met and it may be some of the most rewarding work he's ever done."We all need to help each other and perhaps the best help we can give is to those who need the help the most," he said.Andrus, 69, recently responded to a newspaper article asking for volunteers to perform odd jobs at the homes of the elderly and disabled in Davis County. He has committed 20 hours each week to fixing minor electrical problems or leaky faucets, digging up broken sprinklers, replacing light bulbs and getting caught up in a friendly conversation or two.Andrus' commitment was a huge boon to the Do Unto Others program that Rocky Mountain Care Foundation launched this summer. An earlier countywide assessment had revealed large gaps in the services available to the two populations and Rocky Mountain's Dede Fluette was excited to get something started.She had previously worked for similar programs in neighboring counties and continues to be shocked that "someone pays me to do this we just do good deeds and nice things for people."Fluette feels the elderly generation deserves star treatment."They are the most vulnerable and the most deserving population," she said. "It's not like you can say to an 85-year-old woman 'go get a job.' They've kind of put in their time and if we can help them, then that's great."The same is true for the disabled population the program assists, Fluette said."I don't think that just because they can't get up on the roof and fix a swamp cooler that they can't live independently in their own home," she said.The Do Unto Others program in Davis County has a few requirements. Beneficiaries must be living at 150 percent of the federal poverty level, be 60 or older or living with a disability, own their home and live within the boundaries of Davis County. The program teams up carefully screened and experienced volunteers to help with minor home repairs and limited seasonal yard maintenance.For more information contact Rocky Mountain Care Foundation at 801-397-4160Editors Note: This article was submitted by Dede Fluette of the Rocky Mountain Care Foundation. For More information contact 801-397-4160.