CMH rehab services promoting healthier senior lifestyles

Exercise. It's something we all need but don't do enough, especially when we graduate to senior citizen status or have health conditions that make physical activity more challenging. CMH Regional Health System's Rehabilitation Services staff understands and works with residents in the CMH service area in a variety of ways to promote healthy activity. "Our exercise classes provide benefits even beyond better physical health," says CMH physical therapist Brent Robinson. "People find a source of social support, a place to share experiences with others who have the same goals, the same problems." Rehabilitation Services manager Carolyn Koynock is finishing the second phase of a program aimed at healthier senior citizens. "A member of our Wilmington Senior Citizens Center first approached us," Koynock says. "She asked our help in applying for a grant through a federal program called the National Blueprint. The objective was to promote activity for people 50 years and older. Our plan had to address ways to increase strength, flexibility, endurance (cardiovascular exercise), and balance - all essential to staying healthy and active." Koynock saw this as a great opportunity to work with the community outside the walls of Clinton Memorial Hospital, base for CMH Inpatient Rehabilitation, and the CMH Rombach Health Center, base for CMH Outpatient Rehabilitation. The program required collaboration among different organizations and across county lines. "And it had to be a program that could continue beyond the life of the grant," Koynock says. As a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Koynock called on a network of professionals for help and used an APTA program as the basis for the grant proposal. CMH Rehabilitation Services is doing or has done programs at senior citizen centers in Wilmington, New Vienna, Sabina and Lebanon. A series of four weekly one-hour classes are held, led by CMH physical therapists Donna Snyder and Jennifer Jensen, and athletic trainers Mindy Smith and Kelli Veidt. To ensure continuation of the program, the CMH team videotaped the exercises, created a manual with color photos and details of the program, and established a point person at each center to keep the classes going. "Each series begins with participants establishing fitness goals for themselves," Koynock says. "It might just be walk down the driveway to get the newspaper without feeling tired or winded. We feel it's important that seniors determine why they need to exercise and how it will help their lives." Each participant must have approval from his or her physician. They call the program "Maximize Your Exercise, Maximize Your Life." The program has been a measurable success. "We had a great turnout for our January-February classes in Clinton County - 30 to start our first class and 47 when we offered the class again," Koynock says. CMH's expertise in physical therapy helped overcome physical barriers that might have excluded some participants, such as developing activities for wheelchair bound seniors. The result was that everyone who wanted to participate could benefit from the exercise program. "It's amazing how increasing someone's stamina, strength or balance can change their lives," Koynock says. "It can prevent falls that break hips or allow someone to continue to live alone. The program is a great way to share our expertise with community."