Rose Lane Physical Therapist Honored as Hero of Long-Term Care

Tyler Sponaugle, Physical Therapist at Rose Lane Nursing and Rehabilitation, has been honored as the Hero of Long-Term Care for February 2017 by the Ohio Health Care Association (OHCA).

The Hero of Long-Term Care is an honor given to employees in long-term care for their service and dedication to their residents, community and facility. Only one winner is chosen each month by the OHCA, Ohio’s largest organization representing long-term care facilities.

Tyler was nominated by his peers for this award. A special gathering was held at Rose Lane to celebrate his accomplishments and present him with the Hero of Long-Term Care award. He will also be recognized at the OHCA’s 2017 Annual Convention.

Although Tyler has only been a Physical Therapist for a little over 2 years at Rose Lane Nursing and Rehabilitation, he has a long history of working in long-term care. At the age of 15, he started his career as a dietary aide. He continued his work by becoming a State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) and then Rehab Tech. He received his bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences in 2009 from Ohio University and a doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2013 from Cleveland State University.

Tyler is a member of the Ohio Physical Therapy Association and is actively involved in the Habitat for Humanity as a volunteer.

Being able to put a smile on his residents’ faces each day is one of his biggest accomplishments at Rose Lane.

“Tyler’s ability to work with a patient from the beginning of their stay to the end of their stay, and give them the encouragement they need to progress and get better, is one of the many reasons he was nominated for this award” said Ashli Hartzler, Life Enrichment Director at Rose Lane, “He is able to develop a trust and friendship with his patients that help lead to their success.”

Congratulations Tyler for winning Ohio Health Care Association’s February 2017 Hero of Long Term Care.

Physical Therapist
The Love Run Presented By Sprenger Raises Funds for Avon Lake High School Athletic Boosters

Avon Lake, OHIO (February 4, 2017) – Sprenger Healthcare hosted its first annual Love Run 5k raising $880 for the Avon Lake High School Athletic Boosters.

More than 175 people participated in The Love Run held at Towne Center Community Campus, 200 Community Drive in Avon Lake on Saturday, Feb 4th, 2017.

“It is important to Sprenger Healthcare to be involved in our community,” said Jason Coe, Administrator for Towne Center Community Campus. “We had a great turnout and are happy to help raise funds for the Avon Lake Athletic Boosters.”

Participants got in the Valentine’s Day spirit with the love-themed 5k run and 1-mile walk, featuring a DJ, red and white tie-dye shirts, and a complimentary breakfast with a chocolate fountain.

Winners were announced for the top three women and men finishers in the following age groups: 14 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65 and over. Awards were also presented to the First Furry Friend to finish and the Most Spirited participant. Visit www.hermescleveland.com for race result details and to stay updated on the second annual Love Run 5k, set to take place February 2018.

For more information about Sprenger Healthcare, please visit www.spengerhealthcare.com or call 800-772-1116.

Members of Smithville Western Care Center Receive Dementia Care Specialist Certification

For more information, please contact:

Jaime Marino-Freetage

Therapy Regional Director

Phone: (440) 935-5487

Email: jmarino-freetage@sprengerhealthcare.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Sprenger Healthcare is raising the standard for memory care by providing many of its Smithville Western Care Center staff with the tools necessary to complete Dementia Care Specialist Certification.

The Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI)’s Dementia Care Specialist Certification is a formal recognition of an individual’s commitment and leadership as a professional caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementias. Dementia Care Capable Training helps caregivers work together more cohesively and consistently to deliver a higher standard of dementia care.

At Smithville Western Care Center, training in dementia care allows the memory care team to demonstrate an understanding of dementia and its impact on cognitive function. Trained staff can identify key care approaches for each stage of the disease in order to promote the highest possible level of function in activities of daily living (ADL), mobility, and leisure activity. The team also learned strategies to enhance communication, minimize negative behaviors and support families.

Perhaps the most important skill gained through the certification is the ability to identify and report predictors of cognitive decline or transition, further assisting Sprenger clinicians in the development of care plans that promote successful outcomes.

According to CPI, when this compassionate, results-oriented approach is embraced and implemented, staff attitudes shift, confidence soars, and quality of life improves for dementia clients and their families. This is why staff members involved in the care of dementia patients at Sprenger communities will be given the opportunity to become a Dementia Care Specialist, including therapists, nurses, nursing assistants, life enrichment staff and housekeepers.

Dementia Care training is not only a benefit to the staff at Smithville Western Care Center, but also to patients receiving memory care at each Sprenger community. Trained memory care staff strive to lessen the symptoms of dementia by helping patients with self-care and teaching them to manage activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing and toileting. They provide support while encouraging patients to achieve the highest possible level of independence.

In addition to the benefits of having on-staff Dementia Care Specialists, Sprenger Healthcare provides Excellence in Memory Care, a specialized team approach to quality patient-centered care. Having a team of Dementia Care Specialists raises the bar for Sprenger Health Care’s already high standard of dementia care at its communities.

“It is our goal at Sprenger Health Care to provide our patients with the highest quality of care. Having Dementia Care Specialists on our team only furthers our commitment to our Excellence in Memory Care,” said Jaime Marino-Freetage, Executive Therapy Director.

In addition to enhancing a commitment to Excellence in Memory Care, Sprenger Health Care offers excellence in Neurological Care, Orthopedics, Osteoporosis, Amputee Care and Respiratory Care, and Cardiac Care.

About Sprenger Healthcare

Sprenger Healthcare has been family owned and operated since 1959. With 10 facilities throughout Northeast Ohio and Indiana, Sprenger offers the full continuum of aging services including: Short Term Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing, Memory Care, Assisted Living, Independent Living, Hospice, and Home Health. Our innovative care, excellent customer service, and compassionate, dedicated employees have made Sprenger Healthcare a leader in providing exceptional health care. Sprenger communities have a history of excellent Resident and Family Satisfaction Surveys, 5 Star Ratings, Deficiency Free Surveys, and US News & World Report Rankings. For more information on the programs we offer and to hear more about the Sprenger difference, please visit our website, www.SprengerHealthCare.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Sprenger Healthcare adopts innovative and fun physical therapy with Jintronix

Jintronix is a new, FDA approved, virtual rehabilitation platform designed by leading experts in physical and occupational therapy as an exciting and effective tool for physical rehabilitation. It offers “gamified” exercises that are designed to improve a patient’s functional abilities.

“Our patients seem to truly enjoy Jintronix. It has increased their willingness and the amount of time they participate in therapy” says Laura Toetz, Director of Rehabilitation at Amherst Manor Retirement Community.

This easy to operate system supports the treatment of multiple conditions, providing activities optimized to target specific clinical outcomes, such as, fall prevention, motor control, balance, muscle strengthening, postural control and flexibility. It offers seated and standing tasks from low to high levels of difficulty. In addition, each activity can be customized by therapists to suit the needs of each individual patient.

Jintronix participants are guided by on-screen indicators that provide immediate feedback and help patients perform each task with correct form and technique while being overseen by a physical therapist. With the assistance of Jintronix, Sprenger therapists can increase productivity by spending less time setting up exercises and more time assessing and manually working with patients. They can also easily monitor and track patients’ progress, allowing them to adjust therapy regimens accordingly.

Sprenger Health Care is leading the way in innovative care, as it’s one of the earliest companies to partner with Jintronix. Currently, this platform is used along with other more traditional therapy techniques at four Sprenger Health Care communities; Amherst Manor Retirement Community, Sprenger Health Care of Mishawaka, Grande Village Retirement Community and Towne Center Community Campus, with plans for introducing it into more communities in the future.

To learn more about Jintronix, please contact Laura Toetz at ltoetz@sprengerhealthcare.com.  Visit www.sprengerhealthcare.com to find the Sprenger Health Care community nearest you and find out more about the therapy and rehabilitation programs we have to offer.

Sprenger Healthcare Begins 30 Private Bed Expansion Project at Amherst Manor Retirement Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AMHERST, OHIO (July 12,2016) – Amherst Manor Retirement Community, managed by Sprenger Healthcare, is undergoing extensive renovation and expansion to better serve the needs of the aging population in Amherst, OH.

Thirty private rooms with individual bathrooms and walk-in showers are being added to Amherst Manor to increase comfort and privacy for short-term residents of rehabilitation and skilled nursing. In addition, the project will make room for a new dining room, living room, and more common areas, including a pub/lounge area and an outdoor courtyard, for all residents and their loved ones to enjoy.

The expansion also consists of a new, state-of-the-art 2,700 square foot therapy gym, which will be more than three time the size of the current therapy gym at Amherst Manor.  

 “This expansion of Amherst Manor will give us more capacity to meet the needs of our residents as they change and evolve,” says Kristen Gollinger, Administrator at Amherst Manor.

The larger and more functional therapy gym will feature a full kitchen and bedroom suite for occupational therapy support and added state-of-the-art equipment for all therapies. This is in addition to the advanced tools already offered at Amherst Manor, including Biodex equipment, VitalStim and Jintronix. Jintronix is a new, fun and effective tool for physical therapy that provides “gamified” exercises designed to improve a patient’s functional abilities.

Along with the expansion of Amherst Manor, the building will undergo extensive renovation. Its existing front fascia will be given a new look with the adding of a Porte-cochere to provide convenience for guests and give Amherst Manor extra curb appeal. Furthermore, much of the existing space at this facility is being converted to better serve residents with more spacious rooms and extra common areas for activities and socialization.

Amherst Manor Retirement Community was originally founded in 1959 by Grace Sprenger. Although it started as a 26-bed nursing facility, today Amherst Manor offers continuum of care options, including skilled nursing, assisted living, independent living, short-term and orthopedic rehabilitation, hospice care and respite care. It’s located on nine wooded acres in the historic village of Amherst. Residents enjoy a park-like setting that’s just minutes from downtown shopping restaurants and entertainment.

The expansion and renovation of Amherst Manor Retirement Community is scheduled to be completed in fall 2016.

About Sprenger Healthcare

Sprenger Healthcare has been family owned and operated since 1959. With 10 facilities throughout Northeast Ohio and Indiana, Sprenger offers the full continuum of aging services including: Short Term Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing, Memory Care, Assisted Living, Independent Living, Hospice, and Home Health. Our innovative care, excellent customer service, and compassionate, dedicated employees have made Sprenger Healthcare a leader in providing exceptional health care. Sprenger communities have a history of excellent Resident and Family Satisfaction Surveys, 5 Star Ratings, Deficiency Free Surveys, and US News & World Report Rankings. For more information on the programs we offer and to hear more about the Sprenger difference, please visit our website, www.SprengerHealthCare.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Retired volleyball coach in Sprenger Hospice Care sets, serves and scores on the court

The thrill of a spike. A great serve. Scoring an ace. All may seem like simple things to the average person, but to Inge Helmetz, these are just a few of her favorite memories.  As a retired Volleyball coach, Ms. Helmetz carried her love of playing the game into coaching at St. Peter School in North Ridgeville while her children attended school. 

The thrill of a spike… A great serve… Scoring an Ace…

All may seem like simple things to the average person, but to Inge Helmetz, these are just a few of her favorite memories.  As a retired Volleyball coach, Ms. Helmetz carried her love of playing the game into coaching at St. Peter School in North Ridgeville while her children attended school. 

This month, Sprenger Hospice Care helped turn an average day into an exciting adventure back on the court for Ms. Helmetz.  Hospice nurse, Lisa Lotz along with Voni De Almeida, MSW and Toni Rotz, Director of Marketing, escorted Ms. Helmetz to an afternoon at the North Ridgeville Rookie Ranger Volleyball camp. 

Coach Jenny Onlock and her students were extremely welcoming and presented Helmetz with a “Coach Inge” t-shirt.  Ms. Helmetz had much to say about each girl’s technique that day and also enjoyed tossing the ball back and forth with nurse Lisa. 

“It’s simple” says Toni Rotz, Director of Marketing for Sprenger Hospice Care, “Our commitment is to optimize the quality of life for our patients.  Here at Sprenger Hospice our care plans go beyond the patient’s medical needs.  We listen carefully for unexpressed wishes that will help bring a smile to their face and pep in their step.  For those who think that hospice is giving up, let this ‘serve’ as proof that hospice helps to provide enough comfort that one can enjoy their last days, weeks, months or years to the fullest.” 

Crain’s Cleveland Business ranks Sprenger Healthcare in Top Family Owned Businesses

Sprenger Healthcare is honored to be ranked seventh on the Crain’s Cleveland Business list of Family Owned Businesses.

Rankings are determined by the number of local full-time employees employed by companies in Cleveland and the percentage of company ownership by family.

Sprenger Healthcare was founded in 1959 by Grace Sprenger, who established Amherst Manor Retirement Community in Amherst, OH.

Today, third generation Michael Sprenger, COO, and Nicole Sprenger, CEO, continue Grace’s legacy with a commitment to provide the highest quality of services to customers and the community. Sprenger Healthcare is also proud to bring jobs to Northeast Ohio as it employs more than 1000 full-time local employees.

Sprenger Healthcare has grown throughout its nearly 60 years to include ten communities for older adults. These communities offer continuum of care options with 10 skilled nursing centers, 7 assisted living communities and 5 independent living communities. In addition, Sprenger Healthcare offers short-term rehabilitation, orthopedic rehabilitation, hospice care and home health care.

With 9 communities in Ohio, 1 in Indiana and construction underway in South Carolina, Sprenger Healthcare plans to continue providing sustainable jobs and offering premier services well into the future.

Find out more about Sprenger Healthcare and the services it has to offer by visiting www.sprengerhealthcare.com. Make it your first choice for employment by applying at www.sprengerjobs.com.

Sprenger Health Care Communities Gear Up For Relay For Life

Sprenger Healthcare is joining the fight against cancer as our communities across Ohio are ready to participate in this year’s Relay for Life. Relay for Life is a community-based fundraising event of the American Cancer Society, in which communities around the world come together to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost and fight back against cancer.

Sprenger Health Care facilities are participating in two Relay for Life events and we want you to join us in supporting this great cause.

The first Relay for Life event is Saturday, May 21, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. It will take place at Vermilion High School, 1250 Sanford Street, Vermilion, OH. The theme for this event is Under the Sea, so get ready for an underwater adventure.

The second Relay for Life event is Saturday, July 9, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. It will take place in Downtown Massillon at Tremont SE and 1st Street SE in Massillon, OH. The theme for this event is Disney and we can’t wait for you to be our guest!

Sprenger employees, family and friends are invited to join our teams. You can join either Sprenger Health Care team in six easy steps:

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  1. Visit RelayForLife.com
  2. Select “Find a team”
  3. Search “The Heart of Sprenger”
  4. Select Massillon or Vermilion
  5. Click “Join Our Team”
  6. Fill out and Submit Form

You don’t have to attend the event to participate in Relay for Life and help us in the fight against cancer. Each Sprenger community is hosting fundraisers in the days leading up to this event. Here is a list of some of the fundraising efforts coming up at each location:

  • Autumn Aegis: Raffle for pampering themed Gift Basket (May 7th)
  • Amherst Manor: Spaghetti dinner (May 11th)
  • Anchor Lodge: Bake Sale (May 6th), $3 Salad Bar (May 13th)
  • Elms Retirement Village: Candy bar sales (Ongoing ),  $3.00 Rigatoni (May 27th), Car Wash (TBD)
  • Towne Center: 2nd Annual Meatballs on Main Street (May 19th)

For more information, please contact Amanda Yandell at ayandell@sprengerhealthcare.com or 440-396-1827.

Sprenger Health Care Helps Prevent Falls with A Matter of Balance

Sprenger Healthcare is getting even more proactive about fall prevention with A Matter of Balance, an eight week program designed to help older adults manage falls and increase activity levels.

According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. However, falls can be avoided through fall prevention education and practical lifestyle changes. This is why Sprenger Healthcare is bringing A Matter of Balance to its communities.

Sometimes just the fear of falling can be concerning, as it can change a person’s behavior and increase the risk of falling. The knowledge and training from the A Matter of Balance program can increase participant’s activity levels and confidence in their ability to move.

This program teaches participants to view falls as controllable and set realistic goals for increasing activity.  It’s an ideal program for anyone who is concerned about falls, has fallen in the past, or wants to improve flexibility, balance and strength.

A Matter of Balance classes start May 17th at Smithville Western Commons’ Wayne Manor (4138 Swanson Blvd., Wooster, OH, 44691) and will be held each Tuesday for eight weeks. Sprenger Health Care is also planning to implement this program in its other Ohio facilities.

The classes are led by Sprenger’s trained clinical experts. A new topic is introduced each session to help with strengthening and balance. Participants are encouraged to attend all eight classes, as each class builds upon the previous week.

To find out more about the A Matter of Balance program at Sprenger Healthcare or to register for classes, please contact Chris Fankhauser, Clinical Education Director, at 330-495-1792.

Massillon Nurse Aide Named March 2016 Long-Term Care ‘Hero’

The state’s largest organization representing long-term care facilities has honored a Massillon, Ohio Nurse as its February 2016 “Hero of Long-Term Care.”

Lisa Glick, State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA) at Rose Lane Nursing and Rehabilitation in Massillon, Ohio has been selected by the Ohio Health Care Association (OHCA) as its Hero of Long-Term Care for March 2016. OHCA honors one long-term care employee each month for their service to long-term caregivers, residents and the community.

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