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

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.

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.

In celebration of Occupational Therapy Month, on this week’s episode of FOX Rehabilitation’s Live Better Longer podcast we welcome back occupational therapist and in-house health coach, Katie Cooper, MS, OTR/L, who discusses the benefits of mindfulness, both for clinicians and their patients. Practicing being present and truly knowing yourself is not only important for your mental well-being, but your physical health as well. Katie offers up tips on the best ways to block out anxiety during a busy work week. She also talks about her role in FOX’s Live Well program, which helps colleagues decrease stress and learn how to balance both work and life. Katie closes out the episode by revealing what she does for entertainment and fun to decompress at the end of a work week.

This week on FOX Rehabilitation’s Live Better Longer podcast, we are joined by author Shelly Calcagno, who talks about her new book, The Longest Goodbye: A Family’s Hope-Filled Journey Through Alzheimer’s. Shelly recalls the time when her mother forgot the word for dandelions and instead called them “yellow flowers.” That was the first sign of her mother’s cognitive decline and the beginning of a 10-year journey with Alzheimer’s, which Shelly writes candidly about in her book. Though she was slowly losing one of the most important people in her life, Shelly talks about cherishing moments of joy, which are simultaneously intertwined with grief. She also explains the importance of finding hope in difficult times. Shelly’s book sheds light on Alzheimer’s, how to support a loved one going through it, and what resources family members can use to help them during this difficult time. 

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we turn the hosting duties of FOX Rehabilitation’s Live Better Longer podcast over to FOX physical therapist, Audra Vellucci, PT, MPT, who leads a candid discussion with FOX’s VP of Integration, Jen Revolinsky, MS, OTR/L, and FOX’s VP of Integration Quality, Jen Ruoff, OTD, OTR/L, BCG, CDP. The primary goal of International Women’s Day is to celebrate women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements and to take action to strive for gender equality. “The Jens” as they’re lovingly referred to at FOX Rehabilitation, tell their stories about starting out as clinicians with FOX and working their way up to a position of leadership. They discuss their pain points along their journey, who inspired them, and what it takes to be an effective leader. Among other things, Jen and Jen talk about the difficulties of starting a new region during a pandemic, how they bonded through shared experiences, and the best ways to balance work and family life.

As APTA’s Combined Sections Meeting kicks off in San Diego this week—which is the ultimate yearly gathering of physical therapists—we decided to continue talking PT shop with FOX physical therapist, Pooja Ghelani, PT, who tells us how and why she entered the profession. Pooja describes a moment as an intern when everything clicked for her. Since then, Pooja has felt a sense of excitement and accomplishment when helping older adult patients rediscover parts of their life they once thought were lost. Pooja explains why she likes to treat in a house call environment and the advantages of working with a patient in their own home. We close the episode by asking Pooja to imagine time-traveling to visit herself as a new physical therapist. What advice would she give, and would her younger self be receptive to it?