Author: Mon Valley Care Center Therapy Team
What is the “Therapy Gym?” It is full of mat tables, parallel bars, weights, bands, an upper arm bike, walkers, canes, hot packs, an e-stim, an OT kitchen and many other types of equipment to be utilized in the rehabilitation of our skilled nursing patients. It is the place where patients come to exercise, walk, work on ADLS, and in general return to their prior level of function.
At this time, one year ago, the therapy team at Mon Valley Care Center learned we were no longer allowed to treat patients in the therapy gym due to COVID-19. We would learn to adapt to the change, we would complete functional treatments on the nursing unit, and we would improvise without all of our equipment. What we could never replace is the sharing of stories of the rehab journey between patients during their therapy sessions. We were unable to provide the joyful cheers among patients when one was able to take steps for the first time. We were missing the camaraderie of people who understood what the other was going through.
Two weeks ago, the “Therapy Gym” at Mon Valley Care Center was re-opened for business. Even with social distancing and masks, the happiness on our patients’ faces is evident. They are, once again, able to share with each other their hardships and their victories. Once again, there is laughter and conversation.
We were able to provide effective therapy to our patients over the past year, but the community of the “Therapy Gym” is irreplaceable.
