New Fox Optimal Living Program at Chestnut Knoll, Participants Honored in Ceremony

Did you know that functional decline is not a natural part of aging? Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury death. Thanks to modern medicine, we are aware that regular exercise can help reduce the risk of falls while significantly improving your overall quality of life.

In 2012, Chestnut Knoll Personal Care and Memory Care in Boyertown, Pa., partnered with Fox Rehabilitation to provide residents with an innovative exercise program for all residents called the Strength, Mobility, and Balance (SMB) program. In 2013, Fox and Chestnut Knoll decided to use their experience and program success to develop an even more beneficial program, called the Fox Optimal Living (FOL) program. This pioneering concept was designed to allow all residents the access to unlimited therapy and wellness services regardless of insurance coverage. Through the FOL program, Chestnut Knoll has taken health care decisions about therapy out of the hands of insurance companies and has placed them back in the hands of qualified health care providers.

“It was frustrating to see insurance companies limiting residents’ functional wellness levels and discontinuing therapy access once they reached a certain pre-determined level,” said Nicholas Banar, Fox Rehab exercise physiologist. “Once their benefits ended, the resident functional wellness declined dramatically. With our new program, residents can now benefit from a continuum of care that caters to their specific medical fitness need in order to achieve their highest optimal level of function.”

The FOL program began July 1, 2013, as clinical continuum geared for all diagnoses and functional levels. Residents have the option of a one-on-one class, or can be grouped together based on similar levels of fitness. Currently, about 90 percent of the residents living at Chestnut Knoll are actively participating in the program.

The clinical team from Fox includes Michael Melnick, MSPT, CSCS, Fox Optimal Living Consultant; Nicholas Banar, MS, exercise physiologist; and Kristen Hill, MS, OTR/L, occupational therapist. Services include physical and occupational therapy as well as personalized wellness services. There are no out-of-pocket costs to the residents or families and participation is not mandatory but highly encouraged.

The staff and caregivers have seen outstanding results from the program. They’ve seen an increase in residents’ energy levels and physical and mental strength. It has made life easier for residents, as well as caregivers, who sometimes struggled to get residents out of bed in the morning.

FOL is an evidence-based approach to medical fitness. Data is measured and collected from each resident, which includes current vital signs as well as key physical performance tests. The data is then analyzed on a quarterly basis to gauge the progress of each resident.

“All of our participating residents have had tremendous progress with the program,” said Jodie Daniels, assistant executive director. “One of our residents, before she moved in to Chestnut Knoll, was strongly anti-social as well as anti-exercise. Since she has been here, she has come out of her shell and participated in all FOL classes offered. She also takes it upon herself to joke with other residents and encourage them to participate.” 

The FOL program has impacted residents and given them a better outlook on life, including resident John Grebe. At this point last year, John did not want to have any surgeries and was content with his status and functional decline. Now, since he has been participating in the FOL program, John has more energy, is more social, and said he “can see himself hanging around another few years.”

“It’s a shame not every personal care home has this program as an option for the residents,” said Banar. “The residents love it and there are great results with both a physical and psychosocial impact. Some of the residents’ doctors have been surprised at the amount of exercise their patients are getting and they commend them for their commitment to an active lifestyle.”

Chestnut Knoll and Fox will be having an awards ceremony on Tuesday, January 14 at 6:30 p.m., honoring the achievements of participants of the FOL program. Family, friends, community members, staff are all invited to the awards celebration!

“Already, within the first six months of the program, we have experienced incredible results that have greatly improved the quality of life for our residents,” said Shawn Barndt, executive director. “We, as a team, discuss and celebrate our successes weekly. This awards ceremony is a way for us to publicly celebrate with the participants and the greater community!”

There is still an opportunity for residents and Boyertown community members to participate in the SMB program twice a week and have their doctor get involved to help increase their mobility and strength. There are currently about 10 community members coming to Chestnut Knoll to take advantage of these services and improve their overall health.

Chestnut Knoll and Fox Rehab can help you or a loved one remain active and independent. For more information about Chestnut Knoll and the Fox Optimal Living program or the Strength, Mobility and Balance exercise program, please contact Jodie Daniels at 610-473-8066.