Dear Editor,

October is National Physical Therapy Month, a time to honor and thank all the men and women who practice in this field.

Physical therapists play a critical role in the rehabilitation of patients after illness, surgery, accident or from those debilitating challenges associated with “old age.” They perform their services in hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes, veteran’s facilities, and in the client’s home.

Our therapists assess the home health client to determine the current condition of the client’s health, his/her previous state of mobility, and help to meet the client’s goals for recovery. Often those goals may seem overly ambitious, but our therapists never discount the potential for recovery. Our therapists work incrementally in designing a comprehensive rehabilitation program that incorporates everything within the client’s home environment, from furniture and fixtures to space and therapy equipment. Also critical to the client’s improvement is the inclusion of the other family members, especially those who are the primary caregivers.

Our therapists work in collaboration with other clinical and non-clinical staff at Appalachian Community Visiting Nurse Association to provide our clients with a full team effort in helping them regain their health and mobility. We honor their exceptional service this month and throughout the year, as well as the work of all other therapists across our region. Gina Green, P.T. and Rehabilitation Coordinator, Tom Campbell, P.T., and Courtenay Tenoglia, P.T.A. provide ACVNAHHS with our quality physical therapy services. Thank you for all that you do!

Milena Miller

Development Director, Appalachian Community VNA, Hospice & Health Services

Athens, Ohio