“Ensuring Your Agency’s Success in 2013″

When you have been working in and around assisted living facilities as long as I have, you might begin to think that you know pretty much all the important stuff there is to know. I felt that way until my colleague Lynn Toliver and I had the opportunity to visit with Glenn Curlett this past week. For years Glenn and his wife Connie Curlett, R.N., B.S.N., have been active leaders within?North Texas TORCH, the local chapter of the Texas Organization of Residential Care Homes. Here are ?3 things I didn’t know about assisted living facilities in the state of Texas that might help you make a better decision if you’re considering an assisted living facility for yourself or loved one.

1. There are several different kinds of Assisted Living Facilities, and they are all regulated by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Service. In fact, all personal care homes, residential care homes, and assisted living facilities that have more than three residents (who are not related to the owner) ?must be licensed under the DADS ?licensure requirements.

2. There are several different types of Assisted Living Facility licenses in the state of Texas and knowing the differences among them might help you make a better decision about which assisted-living facility might best meet your needs or your loved one’s needs.

• Type A facilities are appropriate for residents who are physically and mentally capable of evacuating the facility unassisted, either by walking out or riding out in a wheelchair or scooter,?and must be capable of following directions under emergency conditions. Also, residents in Type A facilities do not require routine assistance at night.
• ?Type B facilities are appropriate for residents that may require staff assistance to evacuate and may be incapable of following directions under emergency conditions. In addition, they may require attendance during the nighttime sleeping hours. These residents may not be permanently bedfast, but they may need some help getting in and out of the wheelchair.
• Type E facilities’ residents must be physically and mentally capable of evacuating without assistance. They must not require routine assistance during nighttime sleeping hours. Type the facilities may only provide medication supervision and general supervision of a residents welfare, and do not provide substantial assistance with activities of daily living such as help with meals, dressing, bathing or other personal needs.

3. ?There are two sizes of assisted living facilities as defined by the state of Texas. Small facilities have 16 residents or less and large facilities have 17 residents or more. As you can imagine, most of the large facilities have signs out front that make them easy to spot as you’re driving down the road. On the other hand, most small assisted-living facilities are in ?residential neighborhoods ?and usually don’t have signs outside. When deciding which type of assisted living facility is right for you, you should take a look at both small and large.

If you need help exploring your options or getting questions answered, feel free to call me. I’m not in the assisted living facility business, but I know lots of good folks that are and we provide in home healthcare for residents of many different facilities in Denton and Collin Counties. I am a physical therapist and the owner of Advanced RehabTrust. My?name?is Ron Tester, my office number is 940-384-0393 and my mobile is 214-850-7911. If I am with a patient and can’t answer the phone, leave me a message and I will call you back.?You can also reach me by emailing ron@rehabtrust.com.

The American Heart Association has released a new study indicating regular physical activity reduces the risk of dementia.

You can read more about it here.

• Physical activity significantly reduces the risk of dementia in older people.
• The effect of physical activity remained regardless of age, education or history of stroke or diabetes.
• Thirty minutes of physical activity three times a week had a significant impact on brain health.

DALLAS, Nov. 1, 2012 ? Regular?physical activity??may help older people reduce their chances of getting dementia.

The protective effect of regular physical activity remained regardless of age, education, changes in the brain?s white matter and even previous history of?stroke??or?diabetes?, researchers said.

To read the whole story, click here.

In home healthcare can help you or your loved one get or stay active.

As the owner of Advanced RehabTrust for the last 11 years, I can honestly say Jacque is and has been one of the biggest reasons for our success and the impact we make providing in home healthcare services. It is an honor and a?privilege?to work alongside her. This week Jacque and I will be presenting a class on safe and effective use of walkers and canes at Lewisville Estates.Jacque from Advanced RehabTrust Home Health?(on the right) and Tina from Home Helpers?(on the left) help with a progressive dinner. Jacque works tirelessly on behalf of our community, the seniors and family members who are the bedrock of life in North Texas.

When someone is diagnosed with COPD, the only thing certain is that life is probably going to change. The disabling features of the disease affect every area of a patient’s life, including the ability to work and enjoy social activities. If you’re a friend, family member or caretaker of someone with COPD, recognizing the extent of the limitations imposed by the disease, and knowing what you can do to help, are invaluable tools to have in your COPD toolkit.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the United States.

It is estimated that 16 million people in the U.S. are currently diagnosed with COPD, with an additional 14 million estimated to be in the beginning stages of the disease and not yet diagnosed.

COPD is a preventable and treatable disease that is characterized by persistent, progressive airflow limitation often associated with chronic inflammatory response.

The main symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath and chronic coughing?with or without mucous.? COPD exacerbations, characterized by worsening of the patient?s respiratory symptoms, are common and can be extremely dangerous for the patient.

Upon diagnosis, the disease is classified within four categories of severity ranging from mild to end-stage COPD.? Like many other diseases, early detection is key.? The earlier the stage in which COPD is diagnosed and treated, the easier it is to manage and increase quality of life for the patient.

Worldwide, tobacco smoking is the most common risk factor for developing COPD.? Therefore, the first and most important line of treating the disease is to quit smoking.

Fortunately, there are several treatment options available to improve the quality of life for COPD patients.? It is important for patients to discuss their individualized treatment plan with their doctor, which may involve a combination of inhaler medicines, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation and proper immunizations. For more information, you can also check out what WebMD has to say about COPD.

Doctors

If you have patients that suffer from COPD who would benefit from one to one coaching and help on ways to have a the best possible quality of life, please give us a call at 940-384-0393 and let us help them.

Patients

If you (or a loved one) suffer from COPD, there is help available. In addition to the medical care you receive from your doctor, we can help you manage your COPD so that you can avoid unnecessary trips to the hospital. Call us at 940-384-0393 and let us know you?d like more information or more help. We will do all we can to make things better for you.

723 S. Interstate-35 E. Suite 224 Denton 76205 is our new address.

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If?you or someone you love has Parkinson’s disease,???Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Program may change your life!

?I don’t know how many times it happened each day, but it was too many. I would say something to my wife, just ordinary conversation, in a normal voice and then she would ask me to repeat myself. “What is her problem? Is she losing her hearing?” I thought to myself. After about the fourth or fifth time, I’d snap back, “NEVER MIND!” She says, “Mike, I can’t understand what you are saying.” I’d snap back again, “NEVER MIND… IT’S NOT IMPORTANT!”

Take it from me… nothing is more frustrating and stressful than having to repeat yourself time and time again. It can cause someone to withdraw and stop communicating altogether. But I have a lot to say. No one can speak for me. I want to be understood. I want to learn how to speak LOUD and clear. After LSVT LOUD, I had an appointment with my neurologist and she commented, “You sound better, did you do something?” My wife even commented, after my recent talk at a Parkinson’s conference, that she was impressed by how loud, clear, and effortlessly I spoke during my presentation.?
? Mike, Arizona

You Really Can Get Your Voice Back!

Here’s What REAL Patients Say:

My voice is much, much better, and probably would be perfect without some lazy bad habits. Thank you. Let me know if you ever need an outstanding testimonial.?
? Ross, New York

?My good, loud voice is back, my self-confidence is restored and this has truly changed my life for the better.?
?Rich, Denver

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Programs are research-based exercise approaches which have been developed and scientifically researched over the past 20 years with funding from the National Institutes of Health. Additionally, research has been supported by a number of other funding sources and has been conducted by members outside of the LSVT Global, Inc. research team.

Introducing:
Kristi Burch, M.S./CCC-SLP

Kristi decided to get certified in the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Program when she saw how many people were dealing with voice problems due to Parkinson?s disease. And judging by all the feedback she?s already gotten, we are quite confident she can help you, too.

Kristi?s learned this technique so that you?or your loved one?can speak up, loud and clear. You will discover:

• How to speak clearly so that your quality of life is enhanced.
  How to speak with ease to your family members so you avoid frustration and isolation.
  How to speak up so you get heard when you need to express a question or concern.

And although it sounds like this is going to be impossibly difficult or prohibitively expensive… it isn’t.

Access to Kristi Burch, M.S., CCC-SLP Through Advanced RehabTrust Home Health Is Only a Phone Call Away…

I know, you might be wondering, “What’s the catch?”

After all, if this really works it would be priceless ? if this really works, why don?t more people know about it? if this really works, they could charge a fortune?.

But truth be told, it’s important to us to make sure you have access to this tremendous program. It’s good for you, it?s good for us, and it?s good for our community. And as you succeed it helps us help more people.

I’m not saying this program is right for everyone, though. Some people don?t qualify for our services, but you don’t need to worry about that! If you contact us and we are not a good fit, we will try to recommend someone who can help you.

Today Could be the Day You Change Your Life!

Kristi is highly sought after as a speech therapist and a specialist in LSVT care. If you want to?discuss your situation with?someone who specializes in helping people with Parkinson?s disease and related neurological disorders, please call our office now or submit your information on? the Contact Page. Someone will get back with you to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation discussion of your particular situation.

To Find Out More, Call Advanced RehabTrust Home Health
940-384-0393 0r 866-384-0393

I was talking with?a truly great speech-language pathologist (speech therapist) today and we?were discussing all the different types of people she can help.?The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website has a great article about strokes, and you can read? it here.

This awesome Health and Wellness Fair will be from 9-4:30 Wednesday, October 3rd. When you go, be sure to look for Jacque Archer, Marcia Ortegon and me (Ron Tester). Marcia is a social worker and will be speaking at 4 PM about the Medicare Plan Maze and afterwards do a Question and Answer session. I am a physical therapist and will be helping people make sure their walkers and canes fit right. Most importantly, Jacque is our community liaison and the life of the party!

The location is:

Lewisville Estates

800 College Parkway

Lewisville, TX 75077

972.434.1727

Click here for a map of Lewisville Estates.

Click Health Fair for a PDF flyer of this event.