Innovative Therapeutic/Mobility Services Winner: Frazier Rehab Institute

(l-r) Cathy Zion, Dr. Kathrin LaFaver, Cindy Oriol, Abbey Roach, and Tiffany White.
Photo by Aubrey Hillis 

Today's Transitions is recognizing local services and communities whose innovative ideas are improving the quality of life for seniors and caregivers. Cathy Zion, publisher of Today's Transitions and Tiffany White, editor, congratulated our winners in-person. Read more about our winner in the Innovative Therapeutic/Mobility Services category.

Dr. Kathrin LaFaver, director of the UofL Physicians Movement Disorders Clinic, has developed various treatments, activities, and events for people with movement disorders. Photo by Melissa Donald 

WINNER: Frazier Rehab Institute
Innovation: MoRe combines physical, occupational, and speech therapy with intensive cognitive behavioral therapy in one intensive week.
Type: Rehabilitation
Size: 1,769 (inpatients); 9,529 (outpatients)

“The innovation is that we are able to systematically align all of these rehabilitation services and provide a heavy dose over a brief period of time, which lends itself to a successful outcome for most of our patients,” says Abbey Roach, Ph.D., director of psychology and neuropsychology at Frazier Rehab Institute. One of the biggest advantages, Roach says, is patients with functional movement disorders receive four hours of therapy each day, which is significantly more than what long-term care communities offer. The intensity of the program has been life-changing for patients who’ve either had to quit their job or limit their daily tasks. “We have had wheelchair bound (patients) who have been able to ambulate and walk distances of many ranges before they left the hospital within a one-week period,” Roach says. Frazier hopes to increase the capacity of their program and collaborate with community providers.

We're accepting nominations for our 2018 Today's Transitions Innovation Awards now. Nominate someone here.