To meet the growing demand for short-term rehabilitation services in Chicago’s south suburbs, Generations at Applewood tripled the size of its physical therapy room as part of a major expansion and renovation in 2018.
With a spacious, state-of-the art Wellness and Fitness Center, Generations at Applewood sought out an innovative, patient-centered physical therapy partner that that shared their deep commitment to providing the best quality care and support so residents can return home.
Generations at Applewood began partnering with Advanced Therapy Solutions (ATS) in May, providing physical, occupational and speech therapy.
“We work closely with Applewood to ensure that the needs of their residents are our primary focus,” shared Lynn Erickson, ATS Chief Operating Officer. “We tailor our programming to each unique individual we treat. We always do right by the patient. Our teams are extremely skilled and ensure that our treatment sessions are not only effective, but fun.””
The dedicated team of 12 licensed professional therapists at Applewood are led by Roberto Siller, MOT, Director of Physical Therapy. “Our goal is to provide the best quality care, with the outcome being the resident returns back home to their community,” he said.
Residents are referred for either short-term rehab or transitional rehabilitation therapy and meet individually with a therapist to discuss and review goals. The treatments provided are consistent with these goals.
All the state-of-the-art, specialized therapy equipment in the sun-filled Wellness and Fitness Center face a manicured courtyard and walking path, so residents can enjoy a clear view of nature during therapy. Working one-on-one with their therapists, residents can focus on strengthening their upper and lower body, building endurance and improving their balance.
As an extra layer of support and expertise, ATS brought in Accelerated Care Plus (ACP), a leading provider of evidence-based, rehab technologies that include electrotherapy, ultrasound and a dynamic balance trainer.
“ACP’s programs are customizable for each patient, and improve treatment effectiveness, strength and function, while reducing pain,” added Erickson.
The ATS team incorporates occupational therapy to help residents gain the strength, skills and confidence to safely return to their daily lives at home. In the mock kitchen, residents can relearn daily tasks like cooking, putting away groceries and washing dishes. A mock bedroom offers opportunities to practice getting in and out of the bed safely and making the bed.
Family involvement in the residents’ therapy is strongly encouraged and important to positive outcomes.
“We invite them to come in, observe and ask questions,” explained Siller. “They can be more supportive of their loved one during therapy and when they return home.”
Erickson feels the success of the partnership between Generations at Applewood and ATS is built on effective collaboration and shared goals.
“Our integrated interdisciplinary approach benefits the residents, as well as the entire team,” she shared. “We all have one goal, and this allows us to stay focused on what’s most important…the patient!
“We want our patients at Applewood to feel welcome, cared for and encouraged by their progress,” she continued. We want them treated like a wonderful extension of our family.”
