Valley View Restorative Aide Program

Few people hear nursing home and think of physical activity or restorative therapy, but for Valley View Home's Certified Nursing Assistant Kelcey Arnold that is exactly what she thinks about. Arnold has been a CNA at the home for 11 years and has worked over the last couple of years as a restorative aide.

As a restorative aide, Arnold's goal is to work with the resident and with FMDH Doctor of Physical Therapy Rob Martin to incorporate a daily physical activity routine into the residents' daily routines. According to Arnold and Valley View's Assistant Director of Nursing Kim Ciafardone, who oversees the program, the intent is to help keep residents independent.

The routines are tailored to each resident to build strength, increase mobility, reduce rigidity and help with daily activity. The programs are tied directly to reductions in resident falls, and in some cases restorative therapy routines can rehabilitate residents to levels where they can return to assisted or independent living.

Arnold described the program's design saying, "the idea is to maintain the highest level of function to keep independence." Ciafardone reiterated the success of the program as well and described Dr. Martin's and Arnold's working relationship as outstanding. According to Arnold and Ciafardone, Martin is on call to evaluate new residents for the program, and to provide consults based on the assessments of the nursing staff and primary care providers. Currently, there are 30 residents performing restorative therapy routines.

Routines can be varied and tailored to residents, and Arnold uses equipment at Valley View such as a NuStep bike, parallel bars and free weights, which assist with strength training.. Much of what is focused on depends on the residents current abilities and range of motion.

Arnold also fits residents for walkers and wheelchairs to insure the fit is perfect to the resident which prevents pain and reduces the risk of injury to the resident. Arnold also focuses on body mechanics and mobility for not only residents, but for staff as well by making sure people lift using the best technics to prevent injury.

When asked what the best part of her job is Arnold replied, "getting to help the residents. I like them all, and I like their families." Ciafardone sang Arnold's praises saying, "Kelcey has a way of getting folks to do things they don't want to do." In her current line of work that makes her invaluable to helping the residents in her program obtain their goals.