Monthly Archives: March 2021

adopting new tech

NEWS: Adopting New Technology in Rehab

Posted on by

Our Chief Clinical Officer, Ian Oppel, had the opportunity to be interviewed for Episode 024: Adopting New Technology in Rehab of the Rehab U Podcast. Below, find a brief description of the insightful conversation:

In this world of ever-changing technology –from telehealth to digital practice management— one challenge presents itself: how can organization incentivize or encourage staff and clinicians to adopt these new tools into their everyday practice? Some of these tools and platforms involve large investments of man-power, time, and dollars. Organizations definitely want to ensure that their investment in innovative care actually ends up being used to improve outcomes & effectiveness of care.

Well, my guest this week, Ian Oppel, sees this firsthand everyday. He’s the Chief Clinical Officer at RESTORE-Skills, a company that gamifies the rehab process through a technological platform connecting clinicians, patients, and family/members & support systems. They’re tool allows organizations to inch closer to value-based care.

What we cover in this Episode

  • The move to Value-Based care
  • Telehealth & Virtual Care
  • How communication affects patient care, engagement, and experience
  • How we can use data and technology to promote Better Outcomes
  • Understanding knowledge transfer and how it can improve clinical outcomes
  • How technology should enhance, not detract from the patient experience
  • Taking a Biopsychosocial Approach to healthcare

Listen to Ian's full conversation with Rehab U's Rafi Salazar HERE!

st patrick's games

Get Lucky with Our St. Patrick’s Games! ☘️

Posted on by

We know how valuable seasonal content is for cognition, reality orientation, reminiscing, and FUN! So this week our users & players are having a shamrockin' good time with our St. Patrick's themed games.

 

Jack-pot-of-Gold

Jack-Pot-of-Gold

Players will pull the slots to collect three  (3) matching lucky items to win the round! Attach a sticker to your player’s chest to target weight-shifting, balance, and squatting. When asked why the slot-machine is their favorite game a player said, "I have to really concentrate on it. It makes me change hands too. It's a great, fun game. I love it!"

Leprechaun’s Loot

Help your patients embrace their mischievous side playing as a leprechaun in our newest activity. Like virtual air-hockey, players move up & down in order to protect their side and score against their opponent.  Watch out, the longer the game is played, the quicker the pot of gold moves between players. 

 

st. patrick's day plinko

St. Patty's Plinko

Looking for a fun way to engage your residents during your St. Patrick’s festivities? Reach for a chip from the stack and place it in a slot atop the Plinko board as you try to end up in a high-scoring slot at the bottom of the board. Each chip has a score multiplier, the board is dynamic, and score slots increase in value every minute! 

 

Be sure to log in to RESTORE-Skills to celebrate with these lucky games while you can. Your residents are sure to have a blast. Wishin' you a pot o' gold & all the joy your heart can hold!

Q&A: Player Dignity

Posted on by

Question: 

We love the RESTORE technology; however, one concern we have is that many of the games appear “child-like” and we worry about this from a dignity standpoint with our senior population. Have you had anyone else with this concern?  Any insight is appreciated. 

 

Answer: 

Thank you for the feedback and important question. 

Our platform takes into consideration that the majority of skilled nursing residents have a degree of cognitive impairment (in addition to any physical limitations). From my OT and Dementia Capable Care background, we have applied the theory of retrogenesis (back to birth) to our platform. That is not to say treat adults like children, but to appreciate that their developmental ability levels have regressed to the chronological age of 4-16 years old. It is important to keep simplistic themes, actions, and graphics for our population and to be able to grade the games based on the degree of difficulty settings.

 

RESTORE Player Testimonial

The most important key is to ensure an individual is able to experience success. We do not receive concerns related to graphics when the therapists and care partners have ensured the player meets with success and not frustration. Since many have not played these types of games before, the hesitancy is more related to anxiety that they will not perform well and therefore may remark that it is stupid or for kids, but this is typically a defense mechanism.

Video games are the most popular consumed media today and have officially overtaken the sport and movie industries in 2021. We are talking about games like Candy Crush, Mario Kart, Bubble Pop, etc. I'm currently addicted to a Harry Potter Match 3 game (and not even a huge Harry Potter fan lol). If you love games and you love competition, the graphics/animations are secondary to your success and FUN!