“We want the community to realize we are more than just a nursing home,” said Ellen Sagar Nursing Home Administrator Ty Lewis.

Since December 2007, Aegis Therapies has conducted physical, occupational and speech therapy at Ellen Sagar.

According to Rehab Program Coordinator Patricia McKenna, physical therapy benefits patients who need help walking after strokes, surgery or a lengthy hospital stay. Patients participating in physical therapy strengthen their legs with exercises which include walking, ankle weights, squats, balance exercises and a sit down/stand up exercise. Tandem walking — forward, backward and side-to-side — is a common exercise used to improve patients’ balance.

During occupational therapy, patients build arm strength with light barbell weights and a variety of reaching activities.

“They might do day-to-day activities that require reaching — like combing hair or getting dressed — multiple times,” McKenna said.

Another popular reaching exercise is done with a colorfully painted peg board and pegs. Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Danielle Gatton worked with Sallie Cureton using the board Wednesday morning.

“This exercise focuses on sequencing and range of motion,” Gatton said. “She’s even strengthening her core muscles by sitting unsupported.”

Speech therapy exercises strengthen patients’ speech and memory as well as swallowing ability for patients who have problems following a stroke.

“Speech therapy helps patients to reach their highest cognitive ability,” McKenna said.

McKenna pointed out a pair of patients who are mother and daughter and another pair who are sisters.

“That’s the good thing about the small community. We have some family members who are here together,” she said.

The rehab therapy is not only available for long-term patients; short-term rehab — as short as a few weeks — is also available.

One patient taking advantage of this is Gloria Edwards. In February, a portion of Edwards’ left leg was amputated.

“I have been here about a month, but I lost my leg in February,” Edwards said.

She said she believed she was ready to go home after the amputation but after falling several times, she decided to take part in the Aegis Therapies rehab program at Ellen Sagar.

“I exercise my legs because they will have to be strong when I get my prosthesis,” Edwards said. “I exercise my whole body.”

Edwards had nothing but praise for the program from which she is reaping benefits.

“I think this program is wonderful. I’m on my way out of here, and if not for this program, I wouldn’t be,” she said. “They rolled me in here, but I’m walking out.”

Aside from rehab therapy, there are several other beneficial programs offered at Ellen Sagar Nursing Home, including the Restorative Nursing Program which helps patients maintain benefits they acquired during the rehab program. Other successful programs offered include the Dementia Management Program in which Aegis works with patients and educates staff about various approaches and the Urinary Continence Program which includes exercises and electrical muscle stimulation.

During the week of Sept. 20–24, Aegis Therapies will celebrate health and wellness during a week-long national event — “Walk! with Aegis Therapies” — supporting Active Aging Week.

Activities will be held each day to promote intellectual, emotional, spiritual, occupational and social wellness. Employees and families of Ellen Sagar residents are invited to come participate in the planned activities.

From an administrative standpoint, Lewis said he is pleased with the job Aegis Therapies is doing.

“Patricia and the staff have been excellent. Residents’ families have been happy with what we’ve accomplished with the residents,” he said.

Lewis also pointed out the benefits of Ellen Sagar Nursing Home being a part of Union Hospital District.

“Since we are a part of the Union Hospital District — directly tied to Wallace Thomson Hospital — we can offer seamless continuity of care.”