Better Balance for a Better Life

Awareness is the key to maintaining balance

National Falls Prevention Awareness Day is being recognized on Sept. 22, 2013, the first official day of fall.  Its purpose is to “promote and increase public awareness about how to prevent and reduce falls among older adults”.

Falling is not a normal part of aging. Yet, one in three adults, 65 years and older fall each year, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2009 alone over 2.4 million seniors were treated in emergency departments for fall-related injuries. The United States spends over $19 billion annually for the treatment of fall-related injuries.

The good news is falls can be prevented. Simple adjustments to daily activities can greatly reduce the risk of a fall.

What is balance?

Balance is the body’s awareness of where it is in space. We rely on our eye sight, inner ear functions and our joint/muscle awareness to maintain balance. If even one of those systems is slightly impaired, our balance is at risk.

Sometimes, the loss of balance can be a symptom to another issue the body is experiencing. For instance, an individual may trip on a rug while rushing to get to a restroom, fall and twist an ankle. In this case, a doctor or a therapist may be more concerned as to why the person was rushing to the restroom, rather than the fall itself.

Preventing falls

One of the best ways to prevent a fall is to simply be aware. Be aware of what the body is trying to communicate and be aware of what factors may increase the risk of a fall.

The following are four simple techniques to reduce the risk of a fall:

1. Begin an exercise program to improve leg strength and balance.

2. Ask a doctor or pharmacist to review all medications. Learn about the medications you are taking and understand the side effects.

3. Get an annual eye exam and update the prescriptions.

4. Review your home environment regularly to check for clutter and tripping hazards. Consider installing extra railings or grab bars.

Balance education

Fall prevention programming is a growing trend among many health care organizations. Balance programs are available to not only treat the effects of a fall, but also to prevent a fall from occurring. If you have a fear of falling or recognize you may be at risk for a fall, contact your physician and ask for a full balance assessment.

Falls are not a normal part of aging. Don’t let the risk of a fall slow you down. Be aware and be proactive with your health.

Saint Therese Rehab

The Saint Therese Rehab (STR) Balance Program incorporates state-of-the-art balance assessment and training techniques to help each individual live a better life.

STR therapists are specially trained to assess and treat balance disorders in older adults. Each patient builds a relationship with a therapist who observes, listens, develops and executes a plan of action specific to the balance and wellness goals of each individual.

To learn more visit www.sttheresemn.org/saintthereserehab or call 763.531.5435.

Saint Therese Launches a Cardiac Care Program
Saint Therese is happy to announce that we have launched a specialized cardiac care program on our New Hope campus.

Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention Unit’s 2012 Minnesota Heart Disease Fact Sheet, in 2010 Minnesotans experienced over 48,000 acute heart disease hospitalizations, incurring more than $1.8 billion in charges for inpatient hospitalizations.

“The statistics are alarming. We saw a need in the community and developed a program to uniquely serve cardiac patients,” said Denise Juday Barnett, Saint Therese of New Hope Executive Director.The Cardiac Care Program, which started in May 2012, is an effort to reduce hospital readmissions among cardiac patients. Since May, nearly 180 patients have participated in the program at Saint Therese of New Hope. The program is one of the first of its kind in Minnesota.

“Saint Therese has had many successes over the past nine months,” explained Stacy Lind, Saint Therese of New Hope Director of Clinical Services. “An interdisciplinary team meets twice a week to review charts and measure patient progress. It allows us to prevent most issues before they become a problem and provide the best possible care to each individual.”

After a cardiac-related hospitalization, patients are often discharged to a transitional care unit in a skilled nursing facility to complete their care. At Saint Therese of New Hope, heart patients receive care provided by specially trained nursing staff and cardiac trained rehab staff. On-site EKG equipment, medication management by a licensed on-site pharmacist and specially designed beds to monitor weight help identify problems before they become serious.

To prepare the patient for the return home, several steps are taken. Heart-healthy nutrition education is offered by a registered dietitian to both patients and their family members. A home visit with a licensed occupational therapist is provided to ensure a safe return home. And, a fitness routine based on strategies to restore, adapt or compensate the patient’s body and living environment is developed.

Distinctive and essential parts of the program’s success are the extensive follow-up procedures after discharge to help prevent hospital readmission. Saint Therese provides continued rehab for cardiac patients through outpatient programming and social workers make regular calls to the individual to confirm appointments and transportation and to check on progress.

“It is our goal to give cardiac patients the tools they need to be successful at home and to prevent future complications through proper physical training and support,” said Amy Taylor-Greengard, Saint Therese Rehab Executive Director.

Saint Therese believes this integrated approach to care will help patients manage their cardiac health condition and keep them at home.

Saint Therese Celebrates 45 Years of Taking Care of Seniors
Saint Therese is celebrating its 45th anniversary in January. We are proud of our history of compassionate care for individuals, innovative growth and continued strength in pastoral care.

In 1964, Father Gordon Mycue and Jerry Choromanski created the vision for St. Therese Home, Inc., now known as Saint Therese. After Jerry’s experience with his own aging parents, he saw there was a need for Catholic senior care in the Twin Cities.

Soon a corporation and board of directors was established and Saint Therese received permission from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to establish a free-standing, non-profit nursing home. The founders wanted to create a different type of nursing home, less institutional than those with 8 – 16 bed wards often found in the 1960s. Double rooms, common spaces and pastoral care helped Saint Therese feel more like home  and helped residents maintain a sense of dignity.

Mary Zepp, first resident.

The name Saint Therese came from St. Therese of Lisieux, a Carmelite Nun who believed in doing small things with great love. She was the patron saint of the Choromanski family and the board agreed that it was a fit for the new organization.

On January 9, 1968, Saint Therese welcomed its first resident, Mary Zepp. Mary walked through the front doors of Saint Therese carrying her two suitcases, calling Saint Therese home for the next five years until her death.

Saint Therese began as a 200-bed skilled nursing facility in New Hope. Residents were cared for by Benedictine Sisters from the St. Paul Priory, who maintained residence on-site. It was the beginning of blessed journey in senior care.

Over the years, Saint Therese has grown as an organization. The New Hope community added more beds to the care center and then 220 senior apartments. Innovative thinking brought changes such as assisted living services, a memory care unit and palliative care.

Saint Therese now operates three separate communities, a home health care company offering care to individuals in their homes, as well as a rehab and therapy division that focuses on keeping seniors active and fit. Saint Therese continues to redefine what senior living is today.

“Beyond the building and landscape changes, Saint Therese has maintained its responsive spirit by exceeding the needs and expectations of the individuals and families we serve,” said Barb Rode, Saint Therese President & CEO. “Grounded in our Benedictine values, we have remained steadfast and resolute in our mission to serve and honor the older adults in our community through innovative programming and inspirational services.”