Senior Living Community Emphasizes Rehab Services With New Provider, Technology & Renovations

Oct. 18, 2012 - PRLog -- DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – Recovering from leukemia and a seven-week hospital stay, June Streetz turned to Oak Trace in Downers Grove. Weak and unable to walk, she would undergo aggressive rehabilitation and, ultimately, reach the goal of returning home to her two-story apartment.

Streetz is one of the many success stories behind Oak Trace and the strengthening of its rehab program. An open house on October 25, from 4 to 7 p.m., will welcome Chicagoland health professionals interested in exploring the senior living community’s new rehabilitation services and department at Oak Trace. Changes include expanding the therapy department to include a larger, more attractive and easily accessible main floor gym, as well as new computer-aided balance technology to improve patient recovery and a new therapy provider. Oak Trace is now partnering with The Comprehensive Group, a HealthPRO Rehabilitation Company, which has been recognized locally and nationally for outstanding patient outcomes and workplace practices.

“The design provides an attractive option for older adults in the area who require short-term rehab due to a recent surgery, illness or other health setbacks,” says Lynn Blakemore, health administrator at Oak Trace. “Our rehab program is focused on outcomes to help patients return to their previous level of function, transition back to their homes as soon as possible, and minimize any need for further re-hospitalization.”

Rehab services include skilled evaluations and computerized documentation of an individual’s abilities. Clinicians, including physical, occupational and speech therapists provide individualized treatments and training techniques to facilitate improvement in function, safety and quality of life. Specialized outpatient clinical programs include fall prevention, pain management, home safety, memory enhancement, low vision and continence improvement. The rehab department also includes multilingual team members.

“We have one of the most experienced therapy teams in the area, they’re clinically knowledgeable and are compassionate in their delivery of care,” says Patty Bank, senior vice president of operations for The Comprehensive Group. “And our balance technology is some of the most sophisticated and innovative on the market. Together, we deliver highly-specialized and individualized treatment plans that promote excellent outcomes and high patient satisfaction.”

The rehab program is modeled after the lifestyle fostered throughout the senior living community:  an environment for people who are active and ambitious.

“Baby Boomers are coming up and they’re more active than generations before,” says Chris Anderson, executive director at Oak Trace. “They’re not looking for a long-term stay; they want to get home as quickly as possible. And while they’re here, they want attractive amenities, and we cater to those desires.”

“I thought the rehab staff was outstanding, very caring and supportive,” says Streetz, who couldn’t believe she was standing the first day she arrived for rehab at Oak Trace. “Outside of therapy, I enjoyed all the activities, and the dining options were excellent.”
After her six-week rehab stay at Oak Trace, Streetz was able to go back home, climb the 16 steps to her front door, and return to life as she knew it.

Rehabilitation programs and services are available to Oak Trace residents and also to the general public; Medicare coverage is accepted, as well as private payment. Oak Trace provides a variety of lifestyle options, including independent living apartment homes, memory care and skilled nursing care. Amenities at the community include a fitness center, art studio, library, bistro, restaurant-style dining venues and more.

Health Center Open House
Thursday, October 25 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
250 Village Dr.
Downers Grove, IL  60516
(630) 769-6200
Cell number for on-site contact available upon request

About Oak Trace
Oak Trace, located at 200 Village Drive, in Downers Grove, is a community that provides seniors with a unique lifestyle experience and a variety of residential options, including maintenance-free independent living apartment homes, memory care and skilled nursing care, if ever needed. Residents enjoy a full range of services and amenities, such as a fitness center, hair salon, on-campus walking trail, library and variety of dining options with chef-prepared meals. More information about Oak Trace is available by calling (630) 769-6565 or by visiting www.oaktraceDG.com.

About Lifespace Communities, Inc.
Oak Trace is owned and operated by Lifespace Communities, Inc. Founded in 1976, Lifespace Communities, based in Des Moines, Iowa, is a not-for-profit corporation that has grown to operate 12 continuing care retirement communities in seven states, serving more than 5,000 residents and employing 2,500 team members. Communities are located in Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Illinois, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Florida. The organization is recognized by the LeadingAge Ziegler Top 100 as the seventh largest not-for-profit senior living provider system in the country. For more information about Lifespace and its communities, visit www.LifespaceCommunities.com.