As Christmas decorations are hung and local volunteers pop into NHC Osage Beach Rehab & Healthcare Center to share their caroling talents, the therapy team and their patients are hard at work.
At the end of the C-Hall corridor, you’ll find physical therapists helping patients improve mobility, navigate stairs, or simply gain the strength to walk without a walker. Additionally, you’ll find occupational therapists helping patients re-learn activities of daily living such as getting dressed and eating meals, while speech therapists help patients improve swallowing and other muscles used for speaking and breathing.
All of these treatments are completed with one goal in mind: “Improving the Quality of Life for our Patients. We give each and every patient 100% effort from our team to help them reach their goals,” said Jan Michaelree, NHC Director of Rehab.
To inquire about rehab services, a tour, or residential availability at NHC Osage Beach, call 573-348-2225.
Online: https://nhccare.com/locations/osage-beach-rehabilitation
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NHCOsage
Michaelree and the rest of the NHC team have seen significant growth in the therapy department over the past year as more patients in the Lake area are seeking quality skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. In fact, admissions to the healthcare center have more than doubled in 2023 compared to 2022, which has the entire team excited about the future. Admissions to the center overall have increased from 75 in 2022 to 155 so far in 2023, while the therapy department provided services for 56 patients in 2022 compared to 116 so far in 2023.
“It’s a blessing and privilege to see the increasing number of patients and families we are able to care for, and we are growing our therapy department in response to the recent increase in demand for our therapy services,” said NHC Osage Beach Administrator Reed Bentzinger. Adding a full-time physical therapist, physical therapy assistant, and an additional certified occupational therapy assistant to the NHC team over the past few months has the center poised to continue its growth in providing life-changing rehabilitation services to residents in and around the Lake area in the new year.
While therapy is a major part of care in the healthcare center, many of the residents call NHC Osage Beach Healthcare Center their home. Those patients needing long-term skilled nursing care are also busy with a full agenda of activities to keep their minds and bodies moving. Activities like bingo, group exercise classes, trivia, puzzles, musical guests, a men’s & women’s club, resident council, nail painting, arts & crafts, game shows, movies, and strolls around the center’s beautiful courtyard give residents abundant opportunities for social interaction and fun. NHC's annual car show is a special treat for patients, who get an up-close look at some classic cars and hot rods.
“Our patients stay busy, and we truly focus on making each day better than the last. Especially as we enter the holiday season, our team considers each of our fellow Partners and Patients as our own family members,” said Activity Director Vhicky Scott.
One specific patient whom the center was able to care for was a disabled Navy Veteran who was a victim of a November fire at his previous apartment in the Lake area. The fire caused the patient’s belongings to be completely ruined. Suddenly homeless, he called NHC the day of the fire. The NHC Osage Beach team acted quickly to arrange transportation from the local church where the Red Cross had set up a temporary shelter for those displaced by the fire. The patient was extremely grateful for the center being able to admit him on such short notice and has frequently praised the NHC employees who have cared for him throughout this uncertain time.
He said, “I’m so grateful for the way [NHC] came to my rescue. It is so nice to have delicious, home-cooked meals here, and I am so thankful for all the nice folks who helped get me in here so quickly. This home is so clean and everyone is so friendly and helpful to me no matter what I need.”
This patient is just one of many veterans that the center cares for daily, for both long-term care as well as short-term rehab. On average, NHC Osage Beach Rehab has approximately 25 to 30 military veterans receiving care at the facility.
“Caring for so many veterans who have fought to secure our freedom makes it even more special of a role that we play in the community. Our activity department does a fantastic job recognizing our veterans on Veteran’s Day and partners with the Elks Lodge to give them special gifts around the holidays,” said Administrator Reed Bentzinger. The therapy team at NHC also gets a special boost while providing therapy to veterans. Jan Michaelree, Director of Rehab, added, “When we provide therapy for veterans, we are giving them the freedom to navigate their lives just like they secured freedom for each of us to navigate our lives, and that’s a pretty cool thing to do.”
The NHC team has created a tradition over the past few years to have employees “Adopt a Patient” during Christmas and do everything they can to make it a memorable holiday for them, with gifts and special treats. Each patient who enters our facility becomes part of our NHC family and we do everything in our power to enhance his or her quality of life. During the holiday season, this becomes even more important, and we strive to do all the little things to make it extra special. Our Activity Department has recently worked with a few of our patient’s family members to do special activities like baking and decorating Christmas Cookies as well as decorating our many Christmas trees around the center. These added touches truly make a difference and make the center feel as close to home as possible. Social Services Director, Rachel James says: “Several of our patients don’t have any family that can visit them, so anything special we can do for them during the holidays is welcomed. We get to become their new family when they enter our care.”
NHC Osage Beach Rehab is well-equipped entering the new year to provide exceptional care for patients needing long-term care, skilled nursing, or rehabilitation services.
“It is a very exciting time at our Healthcare Center, and we encourage you to swing by for a tour or maybe even share your talents as a volunteer,” Bentzinger encouraged.
To inquire about rehab services, a tour, or residential availability at NHC Osage Beach, call 573-348-2225.
Online: https://nhccare.com/locations/osage-beach-rehabilitation
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NHCOsage
To apply for employment or volunteer go to nhccare.com/careers/ and search for Osage Beach Rehab & Healthcare Center.
Email Reed Bentzinger, Administrator, at reed.bentzinger@nhccare.com or call NHC at 573-348-2225.
