Owensboro Health | Lift | March 2018

If you want to know more about Long Term Care or would like to schedule a tour of our facility, call 270-338-8434 . 4 • Momentum “I am so pleased with how the room turned out and that our residents can be more comfortable when they do have an opportunity to be pampered.” —Becky Jaggers In-house barber and beauty shop The residents of the Long Term Care Unit at Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital now have access to a dedicated barber and beauty shop. The shop was converted from a former shower room on the second floor of the unit. There’s a brand-new sink, chair, mat and mirror to make the residents as comfortable as possible while they have their hair washed, cut or styled. Comfort and convenience Doris Jarvis, president of the resident council in the Long Term Care Unit, has been a strong supporter of getting this project started. “When I was working I always had my hair done regularly at the beauty shop, but as I got older and became disabled, it was harder for me to get out. I was able to do it for myself some, but even that was difficult,” said Jarvis. “Once I moved into Long Term Care, my niece would come and do my hair in my room and bring all her tools and products with her and have to find a place to put it all. She would sometimes be asked to cut or style others’ hair as well, and would have to move all her tools with her from room to room. Having this nice, new beauty shop makes it so much easier on everyone!” Becky Jaggers, director of Long Term Care, noticed that the interest among residents was increasing. “The hair dressers and barbers were seeing so many more residents that we knew it was time to find a dedicated space,” said Jaggers. “I am so pleased with how the room turned out and that our residents can be more comfortable when they do have an opportunity to be pampered.” Bingocize ® : A fun combination of exercise and bingo Bingocize ® is a successful preventive health promotion program designed to increase the physical fitness, health knowledge and social engagement of older adults. Western Kentucky University Research Foundation applied for a community health investment grant from Owensboro Health and was awarded over $36,000 to offer the Bingocize ® program at the Muhlenberg County Senior Citizens Center and the Courtyard assisted living facility and the Long Term Care Unit at Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital (OHMCH). Bingocize ® has proved to be an effective and enjoyable way to improve physical activity habits and quality of life in older adults. Dr. Jason Crandall is the creator of Bingocize ® and a certified exercise physiologist and professor of exercise science at Western Kentucky University specializing in aging and exercise. There have been multiple studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of the program. Becky Jaggers, OHMCH director of Long Term Care, can vouch for that. Improving mobility and well-being “We have seen huge improvements since starting the Bingocize ® program in September,” said Jaggers. “We have seen some residents go from barely wanting to move at all to being able to now reach their own food and feed themselves.” Currently, the residents at OHMCH Long Term Care participate in Bingocize ® on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Approximately 15 residents compete in bingo games to win prizes. After every five bingo rolls, trained members of the OHMCH staff lead the residents in three safe, therapeutic exercises that are adaptable to fit their needs. These exercises focus on improving mobility, balance, aerobic fitness and muscular strength. “The biggest thing we have learned is how much our residents enjoy playing and being interactive with our staff,” said Jaggers. “We play music, sing songs and act silly. The residents just love to participate.” Momentum A MUHLENBERG COUNTY SPECIAL SECTION