Special Supplement to The Foothills Focus
HEALTH
WELLNESS Your Local Guide to Better Living
Winter 2021
INSIDE This Issue
MWU Therapy Institute brings CAREN to Arizona BY TONY JOHNS Midwestern University
AREA AGENCY ON AGING ................ 21 Taking small steps for lifelong rewards
T
he new Midwestern University Therapy Institute brings important services and advanced technology to families requiring integrated therapeutic and rehabilitative health care. Offering physical and occupational therapy, vision therapy and low-vision rehabilitation, sports vision perfor-
mance training, clinical psychology and speech-language pathology — which now also offers bilingual services — the therapy institute provides a wide array of health care solutions for all ages. An integrated health care team is especially important for patients who have complex health conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s, vestibular issues or brain injury, as well as for child development concerns. Vision therapy
can help children learn more effectively, particularly in an increasingly digital environment. Speech-language pathology helps clients to overcome communication issues in a compassionate environment, working at their own pace. Our caring clinical psychology team offers tools to reduce anxiety and stress in today’s social environment.
Now Open
�ee CAREN page 21
Midwestern University
Ther apy Institute We are Your Healthcare Team.
We are pleased to announce the opening of our new clinic, the Midwestern University Therapy Institute, featuring one of less than 20 Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) systems in the United States. The Therapy Institute team provides integrated, cutting-edge virtual reality assessment and treatment services for multiple complex health and vision conditions affecting patients of all ages, including stroke, Parkinson’s, brain injury, balance/vestibular issues, and more.
Call for an appointment: 623-537-6000 Midwestern University
Therapy Institute Your Family’s Home for Healthcare
• Clinical Psychology • Pediatric Occupational Therapy • Physical Therapy • Speech-Language Pathology • Vision Therapy • Low Vision Rehabilitation • Sports Vision Performance Training
5815 West Utopia Road Glendale, Arizona 85308 mwuclinics.com
Winter 2021
Health & Wellness
Taking small steps for lifelong rewards BY MELISSA ELLIOTT, MSW Vice President of Programs & Services Area Agency on Aging, Region One
S
taying engaged, socially connected and finding meaningful programs to participate in over the last year has been challenging for everyone — but especially for seniors who can be vulnerable and isolated. The Area Agency on Aging has adapted to offer virtual versions of
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its Health Living classes, including Geri-Fit exercise classes and other behavior change courses like chronic disease self-management, living life with chronic pain, and diabetes self-management. This February and March, the agency will virtually offer the Aging Mastery Program. Developed by the National Council on Aging, the Aging Mastery Program is a 10-week course that explores topics like fall
prevention, nutrition, exercise, medication management, financial management, emotional health and life care planning. The class is taught by subject-matter experts. Participants receive a workbook and other supplemental materials. “The Aging Mastery Program is great because it is so comprehensive,” said Rose Leyba, the agency’s health promotion coordinator. “It doesn’t just focus on one area
like physical health or fall prevention but covers a variety of topics that are important to older adults as they plan for the future.” If you are interested in participating in the Aging Mastery Program, call 602-241-5562 for information and to register. For information on all the classes the Area Agency is offering, call the 24-hour senior help line at 602-264-4357 or visit the website at aaaphx.org.
of our commitment to providing patient-first care and the best health care resources for our community,” said Dr. Kaila Osmotherly, FAAO, Midwestern University Therapy In-
stitute medical director. “Our students receive training with the most advanced tools of their profession, which allows us to provide comprehensive, convenient
services at affordable prices. It’s a wonderful opportunity to give back to our community.” For more information, call 623537-6000 or visit mwuclinics.com.
CAREN from page 20
Therapy institute patients also have a unique new partner to help in their rehabilitation: CAREN — computer-assisted rehabilitation environment. One of less than 20 in the United States and only 50 worldwide, the CAREN is an immersive virtual reality system. It allows advanced clinical evaluation, analysis and rehabilitation for a variety of complex, neurophysical conditions affecting vision, balance and physical abilities. The CAREN is considered the most advanced biomechanics lab for research, assessment and development of all neurological and physiological aspects of human movement and balance. This highly interactive system creates customizable, controlled virtual environments — walking down a forest path, navigating objects on a road, performing a sport and more — in which patients can interact safely and health care providers can obtain important kinetic data. The CAREN aids patients with brain injuries, neurological issues, physical injuries, visual skill development and more. It also offers vestibular, balance and gait assessment programs and manual propulsion training for patients in wheelchairs. “Midwestern University has invested in this technology because
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Health & Wellness
Winter 2021
Area Agency on Aging
Aging Mastery
®
Taking small steps for lifelong rewards The Aging Mastery Program (AMP)® is a fun and engaging education and behavioral improvement program for aging well.
aaaphx.org Sessions are one day a week for 10 weeks. Call to Register Now
602-241-5562
Learn from experts about topics including: remaining financially secure, managing health care, increasing social connectedness, developing healthy eating habits, and planning for the future. The Agency is offering two virtual class series of Aging Mastery ® (via ZOOM) Feb 10 – April 14 March 23 – June 1