Live Better Longer

As we enter the peak summer months, it seems like the perfect time to discuss the significance of staying hydrated. We often hear the advice to drink plenty of water, and today, FOX Rehabilitation clinician Meagan Aponas, OT, will shed light on why it is crucial and why many older adults fail to prioritize it. Meagan will unveil the potential consequences for older adults who do not consume adequate fluids, such as increased chances of experiencing dizziness, urinary tract infections, poor circulation, headaches, and reduced energy levels. Additionally, she will share valuable tips and reminders on the most effective methods to maintain hydration and explore healthy alternatives to water if you crave variety.

Harkening back to the very first episode of FOX Rehabilitation’s Live Better Longer podcast, this week Stephanie Demello, SLP, and Nicole Dunleavy, PT, DPT, GCS, talk about the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and how beneficial it is for a patient. For almost a decade, Stephanie and Nicole have been bouncing ideas off each other. We’ll see if they can remember the first time they met and ask them to detail some of the wins they’ve had with older adult patients over the years. They’ll also give advice on the best ways to sync up and collaborate with a clinician from a different discipline. Physical therapy and speech-language pathology unite on this week’s Live Better Longer podcast episode!

On this week’s episode of FOX Rehabilitation’s Live Better Longer podcast, we are joined by FOX speech-language pathologist, Maureen Colket, MA, CCC-SLP, and her patient Sally, who was diagnosed with aphasia after having a stroke in December of 2022. Since June is Aphasia Awareness Month, the goal of this week’s podcast is to create more knowledge, dialogue, and understanding around people who are living with aphasia—a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate. According to the National Aphasia Association, an estimated 2 million people in the U.S. have aphasia, but nearly 85% of Americans are not familiar with the term. Maureen and Sally discuss the treatment plan they are working on together and dispel myths about aphasia. They also talk about the small steps they are taking to help Sally communicate with others and vice versa. Sally also dishes on the nickname her grandchildren have given her and her favorite musical acts of the 1970s.

On this week’s episode of FOX Rehabilitation’s Live Better Longer podcast, Noelle Alicea, PT, DPT, and John Huller, PT, DPT, CSCS—both FOX Geriatric Residency graduates—give us a peek behind the curtain at FOX and discuss the origins of the FOX Clinical Corner, an internal, practice-wide digital resource for colleagues to go whenever they have a clinical question. Noelle and John take us through its implementation, how it has been used, and the benefits of using a team approach. With the FOX Clinical Corner, FOX clinicians can rest assured that collaboration is a quick click away, with the end goal of giving our older adult patients the best care possible. Noelle and John also talk about their beginnings in physical therapy and the unique career pathways available to them as FOX clinicians.

In this episode of FOX Rehabilitation's Live Better Longer podcast, join FOX speech-language pathologist Elyse Gordon, MS, CCC-SLP, as she shares her personal injury experience, revealing the profound empathy it sparked for her older adult patients and highlighting the importance of open communication to prevent future injuries. When Elyse was working out at a local park, she tripped on an uneven surface. Though she didn’t suffer a major injury besides some scrapes, Elyse confides that her ego was bruised which made her immediately empathize with her older adult patients. She explains if a family member or friend embarrassingly makes light of a trip or fall that required therapy, it may discourage someone from disclosing information about a future injury, which could be detrimental to an older adult. The episode concludes with insights on how Elyse is celebrating Better Hearing and Speech Month.

Keeping the conversation going during Stroke Awareness Month, this week we welcome neurologist and medical director of the McLaren Stroke Program in Flint, Michigan, Dr. Sunita Tummala, MD, to FOX Rehabilitation’s Live Better Longer podcast. Dr. Tummala takes us through her early career and why she chose neurology and then details the work she currently performs for patients who have had a stroke, including how to best serve them during the recovery process and the benefits of receiving physical, occupational, or speech-language pathology. Dr. Tummala sheds light on the critical significance of prompt symptom recognition and immediate action in the case of strokes, which remain among the leading causes of death in the U.S. Since Dr. Tummala is also a music fanatic, we end this week’s episode by talking about The Beatles, Bono, and music therapy’s top song—which may surprise you.

As we continue to celebrate Better Hearing and Speech Month on FOX Rehabilitaion's Live Better Longer podcast, we welcome Dr. Jeanette E. Benigas, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, one of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s foremost leaders on Spaced Retrieval Therapy. Jeanette is joined by FOX speech-language pathologist, Erin Rundio, MS, CCC-SLP. During this candid conversation about Spaced Retrieval Therapy (SRT), we discover how Dr. Benigas got her start in SRT, her groundbreaking research in this field, how it can help maximize the independence of patients with dementia, successful examples that she has used during treatment sessions, and how it can be incorporated into both physical and occupational therapy.

To coincide with National Stroke Awareness Month, on today’s episode of FOX Rehabilitation’s Live Better Longer podcast, we are joined by Dr. J Mocco, MD, cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgeon and Senior System Vice Chair in the Department of Neurosurgery at Mount Sinai in New York City. Dr. Mocco discusses what causes a stroke, how to treat one, and the most effective ways of prevention. For someone who does suffer a stroke, it is crucial to act fast and to get them to a hospital that is properly equipped to treat a stroke patient. Dr. Mocco explains why it is necessary to call an ambulance, instead of trying to rush a stroke victim to the hospital yourself. He also talks about the importance of looking out for signs of a possible stroke, which includes arm weakness, facial drooping, and difficulty with speech. He advises that if you or anyone you know experiences any of these symptoms to seek medical help immediately.

As we ring in Better Hearing and Speech Month, we welcome back to the Live Better Longer podcast, FOX speech-language pathologist, Stephanie Demello, whose inspiration for this episode came from a quote by Dementia Specialist, Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, who said, “Dementia does not rob someone of their dignity, it’s our reaction to them that does.” Steph then gives a list of easy-to-remember tips on how to effectively communicate with patients who have dementia. The foundation of her list centers around being positive, patient, and kind to both your patients and their family members. Steph also gives an explanation of the 90-second rule and defines Reminiscence Therapy, which helps a patient with dementia tap into their past memories. Don't miss this informative and insightful episode!

This week on FOX Rehabilitation’s Live Better Longer podcast, FOX occupational therapist, Katie Linz, OT, joins us to talk about Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in older adults. She breaks down the symptoms, the science behind “procrastination” and “hyperfocus,” the importance of creating routines, and why someone living with ADHD should consider occupational therapy. Katie defines “body doubling,” “habit stacking,” and the “Pomodoro Technique,” and explains how these techniques can help a patient with ADHD accomplish various tasks, ones they initially thought were too overwhelming to complete. When not treating older adult patients, Katie is an avid runner and closes out this episode by sharing some selections from her marathon running playlist.