Life Care operates more than 200 skilled nursing homes, assisted living facilities, retirement living communities, home care services, and Alzheimer's centers.
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Residents at Life Care Center of the South Shore pedal the USA
Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2010
What could be better than a trip to sunny Florida? For residents at Life Care Center of the South Shore in Scituate, Mass., such a journey begins in the therapy room.
After the facility acquired a piece of equipment called the Omnicycle, a type of stationary bike, Physical Therapist Stephanie Bowen had the idea to use it to create a program in which everyone could participate.
“It started when one of the participants asked me how many miles he had gone on the Omnicycle, which only records the distance in kilometers,” said Bowen. Inspired, she created a large map of the United States and placed it on a wall.
Over the following weeks, short- and long-term residents took turns performing on the Omnicycle, exercising either their lower or upper body and keeping track of their distance. Bowen then converted their kilometers to miles and recorded their progress on the map.
“Starting out” in Fort Kent, Maine, on July 3, 2009, the residents set out to make it all the way to Key West, Fla., a distance of about 2,400 miles. With the persistence of about 75 participants, the team reached its destination on Jan. 26, 2010.
As a way of celebrating their achievement, the facility held a Jimmy Buffett and Key West-themed party complete with flowered shirts and leis, parrot balloons, ice cream sundaes and a limbo contest.
But the team is not stopping in Florida. After successfully making it to Key West, participants began the 630-mile trip over the Gulf of Mexico toward New Orleans and have already almost reached their destination. They have plans to continue to Chicago and perhaps even take Route 66 out West.
Bowen feels that being able to see the distance they have gone is a great way for therapy participants to feel a sense of accomplishment.
The members’ success could not have been possible without a lot of teamwork and support from departments across the facility.
“It’s really been a team effort to make all this happen,” said Bowen.
About Life Care Center of the South Shore
Located near Scituate Lighthouse, Lawson Tower and the Maritime and Irish Mossing Museum, Life Care Center of the South Shore provides nursing home residents with opportunities for exploration. The campus is also conveniently located within minutes of a hospital, doctors' offices, fine dining and shopping attractions. These conveniences are just a few of the many advantages of living at Life Care Center of the South Shore. However, the greatest benefit of living at Life Care is the commitment of our dedicated staff. Associates work together to provide superior individual nursing care and inpatient rehabilitation while maintaining each resident's dignity and self-respect.
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