Chestnut Knoll Personal Care and Memory Care is committed to the overall quality of life for its residents. Chestnut Knoll partnered with Fox Rehabilitation for the Fox Optimal Living (FOL) program, designed for each resident to receive unlimited therapy and wellness services, in addition to the pre-existing Strength, Balance and Mobility (SMB) program.
The program was designed to allow all residents the access to unlimited therapy and wellness services, regardless of insurance coverage. Through the Optimal Living program, Chestnut Knoll has taken health care decisions about therapy out of the hands of insurance companies and placed them back in the hands of qualified health care providers.
“Fox and Chestnut Knoll partnered to put together this program allowing all residents to get the services they need, and we’ve had incredible feedback and the quality of life for our residents has greatly improved,” said Shawn Barndt, executive director.
Currently, about 90 percent of the residents living at Chestnut Knoll actively participate in the program. An awards ceremony was held on February 3 for the residents, in addition to Boyertown community members who participate in the SMB program. Five residents were recognized for their outstanding achievements, and one special participant was presented with the Dene Liott Award.
Dene Liott, host of PCTV’s live “What’s Happening” show and advocate for seniors, presented the Dene Liott Award. She was selected to represent this award because of her spirit and determination. Liott suffered a stroke in 2012 and with the help of HealthSouth, Fox Rehab and Chestnut Knoll, she was able to get back to work in no time. She has dedicated her life and work to helping and educating seniors about support and services that are available.
Resident Ann Haas was recognized for the Dene Liott Award award because of her ability to overcome obstacles and achieved a higher quality of life. Before participating in the program, Haas was getting progressively worse, losing ability to express emotions and walk. Through hard work and determination, with the help of Fox and the Chestnut Knoll team, she never gave up and is now back on her feet, living her life to the fullest.
Haas said, “I am thrilled to be a part of the Chestnut Knoll family and have the opportunity to work with the Fox team of therapists; they are just all the best! They have helped me get through a tough year to be where I am today.”
Marian Sherow, a Chestnut Knoll resident who was recognized for outstanding achievement, said she loves the Fox Optimal Living program and team. She participates in everything she can, and actually feels as if the ceremony should have been to recognize the therapists rather than the residents, stating, “after all, I would not be walking again if it wasn’t for them!”
The Fox Rehabilitation Optimal Living program has been a huge success for the residents at Chestnut Knoll. Last year it was featured as a “Program to Spotlight” in The Best of the Best Awards issue of senior living publication, “Senior Living Executive.”
In 2014, 95 percent of falls that occurred at Chestnut Knoll resulted in no hospitalization. Other statistics include: the average Timed Up and Go score (time it takes a person to get up from a chair, walk three meters, return to the chair and sit) went from 23 seconds to 15.8 seconds; average gait speed went from 0.58m/s to 0.75m/s (faster gait speeds correlate with increased safety, decreased falls risk and increased independence with activities). In addition, the number of residents who are able to perform a proper sit to stand test (not requiring the use of arms) increased from 19 to 43. This data is supported by research to indicate decreased falls risk, increased independence, decreased risk of hospitalization, and decreased mortality rate.
Participating residents get more than 150 minutes of therapeutic physical activity each week. The program is structured to use an evidence-based approach to address each individual’s mobility, strength and balance deficits. In addition, the program offers dementia education and support groups for caregivers, wellness programs, on-call physical therapists, and customized exercise classes for residents with dementia. Residents have the option of a one-on-one class, or can be grouped together based on similar levels of fitness.
At Chestnut Knoll, the SMB exercise classes have absorbed into the Optimal Living program. There is still an opportunity for residents and Boyertown community members to take advantage of these services and improve their overall health by participating in the SMB program twice a week and having their doctor get involved to help increase their mobility and strength.
Chestnut Knoll and Fox Rehab can help you or a loved one remain active and independent. For more information about Chestnut Knoll and the Fox Optimal Living program or the Strength, Mobility and Exercise program, please contact Jodie Daniels at 610-473-8066.
