Live Better Longer

This week on FOX Rehabilitaion's Live Better Longer podcast, we welcome back FOX physical therapist, Lauren Dillon, PT, MSPT, GCS, CDP, who tells the story of her patient Chip, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, who was having various mobility issues, exacerbated by a broken ankle. To make it easier for Chip to get in and out of his house, it was recommended that he get a ramp. That is when Lauren took matters into her own hands. She contacted Twilight Wish, a foundation that was created to give older adults hope by granting them a special request of their choosing. Lauren takes us through the entire process, from nomination to taking measurements, to getting estimates, and to finally witnessing the reaction of Chip and his family when they found out that he would indeed be receiving his wish, which culminated in a dedication event where Chip was able to use his brand-new ramp for the very first time.

On the latest edition of FOX Rehabilition's Live Better Longer podcast, Jaclyn Butensky, MS, OTR/L, joins us to talk about sleep hygiene. First, Jaclyn defines this behavioral and environmental practice and then explains its importance and various health benefits. Jaclyn takes us through an occupational therapist’s role in helping an older adult patient establish a healthy sleep routine and what to do when someone’s sleep hygiene may be getting away from them. We will then discover that sleep hygiene differs from person to person and that there are several things that can be done during the day that make it easier for someone to sleep at night. Jaclyn sheds light on this concept that many patients overlook and may not even realize the impact it has on their day-to-day health.

On this week’s episode of FOX Rehabilitaion's Live Better Longer podcast, FOX physical therapists, Rachel Glaser Cherewaty, PT, MSPT, and Harrison Kerch, PT, DPT, talk about therapeutic alliance and the importance of patients and clinicians forming a bond and collaboration with one another. Truly knowing a patient—especially their emotional well-being—leads to better healthcare and outcomes. Rachel and Harrison discuss how to work with patients who may be difficult at first, or even afraid to receive treatment. They walk us through PROMs (Patient Reported Outcome Measures) and PREMs (Patient Reported Experience Measures), and also explain why making a treatment session engaging and entertaining should be prioritized.

Because we are fans of a good origin story, and to simultaneously celebrate National Physical Therapy Month, we thought this was a perfect excuse to hear about the journey Todd Forsyth, MSPT took to become a physical therapist and eventually join FOX Rehabilitation. Todd revisits his childhood, remembering when his grandmother was rehabbing both of her knees and the interest he took in helping with her exercise program. He considers her to be his first patient. Todd also spills on how we became an APTA Advanced Clinical Instructor, what led him to geriatrics, his philosophy on spreading joy to others, the best lesson he learned from a patient, and what he’ll be doing to celebrate National PT Month.

Today on FOX Rehabilitation’s Live Better Longer podcast, physical therapist and neurology clinical specialist, Carol Stemsrud, PT, MS, NCS, C/NDT, talks about what it is like to be the adult of an aging parent who is transitioning to assisted living. Carol speaks from firsthand experience on what it was like to see her mother move away from her family’s longtime home. Even though there are many health and safety benefits for an older adult moving into a senior living community, it is usually a difficult and emotional decision for everyone involved. Carol explains how clinicians can help their patients make the transition easier, and how to best communicate with their loved ones and caregivers. She also gives advice to younger clinicians on how to better understand the mindset of someone who is having difficulty accepting their new surroundings.

On this week’s episode of FOX Rehabilitaion's Live Better Longer podcast, we are joined by FOX physical therapist—and vestibular therapist—Lauren Dillon, PT, MSPT, GCS, CDP, who gives us a detailed breakdown of the vestibular system and how it changes as we age. Lauren discusses common disorders with the inner ear labyrinth and how a clinician can assess, diagnose, and treat an older adult patient with vestibular issues. She also stresses the importance of activity, exercise, and staying hydrated, regarding the vestibular system. Lauren takes us through her origin of becoming interested in the study of the inner ear and closes out the episode by courageously competing in another round of our “Acronym Challenge.” Find out how Lauren fares!

With hurricane season upon us, it is important to think about how our older adults prepare for a storm. There are many things to consider, including contacting family members, knowing what to do with a pet, or—if the situation calls for it—even how to properly evacuate. We are joined by FOX Rehabilitation’s Elyse Gordon, MS, CCC-SLP, who lives in a state that is very familiar with hurricane season, Florida. Elyse talks about past experiences that she’s been through and details the most necessary things one can do when preparing for a storm. Elyse also stresses the importance of having a realistic and detailed plan in place, long before a storm or hurricane hits.

This week on FOX Rehabilitaion's Live Better Longer podcast, it’s Part Two of our conversation with FOX Founder, Dr. Tim Fox, PT, DPT, GCS-Emeritus, CCI. Tim picks up where he left off: it was in 1998 at the Haddonfield Public Library that he had his lightbulb moment to start FOX Rehabilitation. On today’s episode, Tim tells the story of how he went from a one-man band making Geriatric House Calls™ to recruiting his first colleagues and spending countless hours molding together a healthcare practice that was centered around believing in the strength of people, with the goal of helping older adults achieve optimal function. In our Silver Anniversary year, FOX Rehabilitation is still walking the walk, yet on a much larger scale—a team of over 3,000 clinicians treat patients in 28 different states.

To celebrate the silver anniversary of FOX Rehabilitation, we are joined by FOX Founder, Dr. Tim Fox, PT, DPT, GCS-Emeritus, CCI. In the first half of a two-part conversation, Tim talks about his early-life experiences, immigrating to America, and what eventually led him into the world of healthcare, physical therapy, and eventually founding FOX Rehabilitation. After losing both of his parents, he introduces us to the various people who mentored him and gave him a hand up, teaching him valuable lessons that he would later integrate into professional life. Tim then explains the frustration he felt after graduating from physical therapy school, and not being able to treat patients the way he was trained. This inspired him to find a better way for his patients to reach their optimal function. While pouring over research at the local public library, Tim had his light bulb moment, and his vision for a new way of doing things was born. 

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On the season five premiere of FOX Rehabilitation’s Live Better Longer podcast, we are joined by FOX colleagues Noreen Knips, PT, DPT, GCS, and Bonnie Ross, MS, OTR/L, who share an amazing story about unconditional, life-saving generosity. In 2022, Bonnie was in desperate need of a kidney transplant. When her donor fell through, her FOX colleague, Noreen, immediately jumped into action. Noreen explains the decision behind donating her kidney, and why she never second-guessed herself. Bonnie and Noreen talk about the process and how they each felt—physically and emotionally—post-surgery. Multiple times throughout the conversation, Bonnie expresses her gratitude to Noreen for saving her life.

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | TuneIn