Bay St. Joe Celebrates National Physical Therapy Month

The Bridge at Bay St. Joe's Rehabilitation Department celebrated National Physical Therapy Month by standing and carving pumpkins with the residents in preparation for fall festivities. The residents and staff members worked together to create unique designs for pumpkins of all sizes. The residents enjoyed designing and cleaning the pumpkins as well as reminiscing about fond memories of their childhood. The Bridge at Bay St. Joe's Rehabilitation team displayed the decorated pumpkins at the facility's entrance for all to enjoy.

This year's theme for National Physical Therapy Month is "Physical Therapy: It is all about movement." The goal of the Rehabilitation Department at The Bridge at Bay St. Joe is to keep all residents moving each and every day. There are many programs that have been established to keep residents moving daily from "Walk to dine," where staff and residents walk to the dining room to 50's and 60's music as well as biweekly "Bodies in Motion" where the rehab team and activities department team up to make exercise fun and assist the residents with seated and standing exercises to upbeat music like the "Hand Jive." The residents may also compete in bowling and golf competitions offered on the "Wii" video and interactive system. This allows residents to stay active and get exercise as well as participate in a hobby that they enjoy. Having the ability to move safely and effectively is crucial in our resident's lives. Physical therapy empowers people to move forward and live their lives at their highest functional level.

The Bridge at Bay St. Joe Rehabilitation Department offers in-patient and out-patient therapy services. The team consists of Joseph Abrenica, licensed physical therapist; JoAnne Buzzett, licensed speech language pathologist; Denise Kidder, licensed occupational therapist; Andrew Wilhelm, certified occupational therapist assistant; and Emily Gortemoller, rehabilitation service manager, licensed physical therapist assistant.