With our rehab renovation well underway, we are very excited for what this will mean for Windom Area Health – Rehabilitation Department in the future. The renovation will not only provide us with an updated, larger, all-inclusive space with private evaluation/treatment rooms. It will also allow us to expand our current services and offer some new services/equipment that we have not been able to offer in the past. With the extensive assistance of Emily Masters, Chief Human Relations Officer, we were able to locate and secure several grants from the Minnesota Department of Health, and Coverys insurance company to assist with the renovation and purchase of equipment
An important part of the renovation project is the creation of our new pediatric room. While we have seen pediatric patients in the past for physical, occupational and speech therapy, we have never had a dedicated space just for kids! In addition to continuing to provide services for all children with various diagnosis, our new service line will provide occupational therapy to kids with sensory integration issues. This new space will allow us to have a ceiling mounted swing with numerous swing attachments, as well as a climbing wall, and several other kid-friendly therapy tools in a private room setting.
The expansion also allows us to install a Solo Step Fall Protection and Balance System. It is an overhead track and harness system. The Solo Step allows the patient to be fastened into a harness that is suspended from an overhead track mounted in the ceiling. This system not only reduces the risk of injury and strain on our therapists, but provides the patients with boosted confidence during higher level balance, strength and gait training activities in a safe environment without the fear of falling.
Through the generosity of the Windom Area Health – Foundation, we have been able to add yet an additional piece of equipment to our therapy gym. The Power Tower is a unique machine that allows for motorized incremental load changes, from 1%-72% of the patient’s body weight, with the simple push of a button. It can be used for total body strengthening and plyometric training for patients of all ages at various stages of recovery.
Needless to say, we are very excited to utilize the new space and equipment to optimize the care that we can provide to our community and the surrounding areas. Join us at the Windom Farm and Home Show, March 9th, at Windom Area High School to see the blueprints of our new space and meet our staff. Our anticipated renovation completion is early May, but you can keep up to date with pictures of the renovation project on our Facebook page which are updated weekly. We are looking forward to this next chapter for Windom Area Health – Rehabilitation Department.
Blog Written By: Terri Elder, MSPT, Rehabilitation Manager
