Morning Pointe resident Liz Morton and Jeff Sodemann, physical therapist with The Weston Group
photo by Amy Clarke
One of Morning Pointe Senior Living’s key objectives in 2015 is to create partnerships with local therapy providers and home health agencies in all 24 of its locations to proactively address the therapy needs of its residents.
Together they will provide on-site physical, occupational and speech therapy services through both an outpatient therapy clinic and home health visits inside the Morning Pointe community. “The benefit of a combined partnership is that the same therapists will be able to follow residents, regardless of payer type, for a seamless continuum of care,” said Greg A. Vital, president and CEO of Morning Pointe Senior Living and Alzheimer’s Memory Care.
The purpose of the new in-house therapy service is to provide residents easy access to additional services that proactively maximizes their independence and increases their chances of remaining at Morning Pointe longer, rather than having to move into a nursing home. The five Morning Pointe communities in the greater Chattanooga area chose The Weston group to create the outpatient therapy clinic and selected Guardian and Gentiva as their preferred home health providers.
Morning Pointe resident Liz Morton has been receiving physical therapy for the last several months. When she first started she was using a wheelchair. Now she is using a walker for long distances and walking independently for short trips. She is still receiving therapy three times a week and will soon be completely free of using an assistive device. “It was worthwhile. I enjoyed it. They were very informed and it was available right across the hall,” said Ms. Morton. “It was also nice to be there with other residents. We could cheer each other on.” Resident Pam McComas agrees. “The physical therapy here at Morning Pointe really helped me with my arm and hand.”
“They are comfortable with us because we are here every day in their home, the same faces and same staff they know,” said Jeff Sodemann, physical therapist with the Weston Group.
The physical therapy groups also provide tips and exercises to help with fall prevention, strength and endurance as well as heat therapy.