The month of April is Occupational Therapy Month and Cornerstone VNA is proud to celebrate their Occupational Therapists. Cornerstone VNA’s Occupational Therapy team includes; Deb Brackett, OT, Deanna Danie, COTA/L, Rebecca Ford, OT, Jennifer Gelinas, OT, Jessica Lee, OTR/L, MaryKay Poulin, OT, Meghan Cavanaugh, OT, Sally Grover, OT and Renee Napolitano, OTR/L and Katie Michaud, OT, Yellow Team Manger.
Rehab Manager, Karen Krause, PT, COS-C, describes her team as, “A wonderful group of therapists who work as a tight-knit team, supporting one another.” Krause adds, “They are extremely skilled therapists who work creatively and with compassion.”
Cornerstone VNA’s Occupational Therapists treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. Occupational Therapy services typically include an individualized evaluation, during which the patient and their family and Occupational Therapist determine the person’s goals and then implement a customized intervention to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities and reach their goals. According to Jennifer Gelinas, OT, “I love my job because I like to make a difference in people’s lives.” Gelinas adds, “It’s really nice to be a part of helping them stay home and as independent as possible.”
Two of Cornerstone VNA’s Occupational Therapists, Katie Michaud, OT and Rebecca Ford, OT have been trained as Master Trainers of a program called “A Matter of Balance”. They have successfully implemented the program in the community, which is led by trained volunteer balance coaches and is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels in older adults. To date, volunteer balance coaches have held 8-week community classes in Farmington, Dover and Rochester.