The SPEAK OUT! therapy program’s primary focus is to improve communication, for those with Parkinson’s, by speaking with intent. SPEAK OUT! offers a series of speech, voice, and cognitive exercises to practice using intention as we communicate. When Pam Weamer initially started our SPEAK OUT! therapy program, she did not have the awareness that she was speaking in a way that was impacting her communication with others. After weeks of active participation and motivation to improve her communication with friends and family, Pam has demonstrated improved independence and self-awareness for utilizing intentional communication throughout her day. Pam has demonstrated a confidence to advocate for herself and others by stating, “I’m speaking loudly and with intent” during a recreational activity within her current environment.

Pam states the following regarding her success with the SPEAK OUT! Parkinson Voice Project: The SPEAK OUT! therapy program has helped me speak more loudly and with intent to my family and friends. I can handle phone conversations better and make my needs known easier with staff.”

Jorae Miller resumed outpatient therapy this spring at The Healthcare Resort of Leawood. She has previously received therapy services as both an inpatient and outpatient with us.
Jorae has worked hard to improve her strength and balance to stay active in her community . She has improved her Berg balance score from 38 to 49 and her 30 second chair rise test from 5 to 11!
Her physical therapist, Colleen Foxworthy, shared “I love to work with Jorae! She is definitely someone who works hard and plays harder! She will try any therapy intervention needed to be her best. She will even do it with a hat on for a Derby Day celebration at our resort.”
We love getting to help people meet their goals!

We want to share tips for communicating with your loved one with dementia to improve quality of visits for your family.

• Engage the person in one-on-one conversation in a quiet space that has minimal distractions.
• Speak slowly and clearly.
• Maintain eye contact. It shows you care about what he or she is saying.
• Give the person plenty of time to respond so he or she can think about what to say.
• Be patient and offer reassurance. It may encourage the person to explain his or her thoughts.
• Ask one question at a time.
• Ask yes or no questions. For example, “Would you like some coffee?” rather than “What would you like to drink?”

We hope these tips will help you and your loved ones. Please contact us with any questions.

Thalia Erwin admitted to The Healthcare Resort of Leawood for rehab following a hospital stay due to weakness and decline in functional skills.
She was able to walk 125 feet, transfer with assistance, and unable to use any stairs upon admission. After a brief stay with us, Ms. Erwin was able to walk 450 feet, use 12 steps, and complete transfers with independence. She was very motivated and worked hard each day!
We loved having the opportunity to help her meet her goals!

Bev Shikles admitted to the The Healthcare Resort of Leawood for inpatient rehab and then to our ALF for outpatient services through our Rehab to Home program when her inpatient stay ended. Bev participated in our cardiopulmonary program and used modalities/exercise equipment as part of her daily physical and occupational therapy to meet her goal of returning home with her husband. We are grateful for the opportunity to help her meet her goals!

Caitlin is an outstanding occupational therapist and is passionate about developing programs for maximizing independence for people with dementia. She received advanced training in dementia care in March 2020 to earn the title of Therapy Expert for Abilities Care Holistic Approach (TEACHA). Caitlin has developed an amazing program here at our facility and enjoys others how to improve the quality of life for all individuals with dementia that we have the privilege to serve. Caitlin says this of our program, “I believe it is incredibly important, now more than ever, that we as clinicians use the tools available to us and our clinical knowledge to help develop and implement strategies based on our residents’ functional cognition and strengths to reduce their risk of decline, promote engagement, and for overall quality of life. I love and it is an honor to work with this population as we have the resources to really get to know who our residents are, what makes them the person they are today, and then to use that knowledge to help them achieve their goals.

For more information about how we can help you or your loved one be as independent as possible at home, please contact us.

Andrea Beyer is one of our amazing speech-language pathologists here at The Healthcare Resort of Leawood! She recently obtained her certification in SPEAK OUT! to better serve people in our community who have Parkinson’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, essential tremor, multiple system atrophy, Lewy body dementia, and corticobasal degenteration.

SPEAK OUT! is a program in which the patient and speech-language pathologist complete speech, voice, and cognitive exercises using a specialized workbook that Parkinson Voice Project provides to every person with Parkinson’s disease in the United States who is receiving SPEAK OUT! Call us if you would like to learn more.

The CDC reminds us to stay safe and healthy this holiday season with these easy steps.

Cover Your Mouth and Nose

Wash/Sanitize Your Hands

Clean and Disinfect Frequently Touched Surfaces Daily

Cover Coughs and Sneezes

We hope you have a safe and healthy holiday season! Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Exercise increases blood flow and oxygenates the brain so get moving! Here are some of the best exercises to improve blood flow and brain health!

• Yoga
• Walking/Hiking
• Biking
• Dancing
• Swimming

If you are avoiding classes at the gym due to Covid-19 or do not like exercising outdoors in the cold, try online yoga, dance, or other cardio videos to stay healthy this winter!

The brain rids itself of toxins during sleep that build up during the day so it is important to make sleep a priority for good brain health. Try these strategies to make sure you are getting the sleep you need to stay healthy.

• Keep a consistent sleep schedule
• Limit naps
• Reserve your bed for sleep
• Limit caffeine and alcohol six hours prior to sleeping
• Attend to your sleep environment (light, noise, comfort)