Seniors and technology connect at WMDH

Winchester District Memorial Hospital is committed to senior friendly care, and a new approach to rehabilitation is making a difference for people like Elizabeth Allison. As a patient on the Continuing Care Unit, Elizabeth likes to spend time playing Wii bowling as part of her daily routine.

PHOTO CREDIT - WDMH.on.ca

Winchester - December 30, 2011 - Winchester District Memorial Hospital is committed to senior friendly care, and a new approach to rehabilitation is making a difference for people like Elizabeth Allison.

As a patient on the Continuing Care Unit, Elizabeth likes to spend time playing Wii bowling as part of her daily routine.

“It’s an excellent example of how WDMH is placing greater focus on maintaining physical and psychosocial functioning among its senior patients. There is a definite move toward getting people out of bed and moving around as early in their hospital stay as possible to prevent decline, promote independence, and enhance ability,” explains Karl Samuelson, Vice President, Seniors’ Services.

In this particular example, WDMH is utilizing a non-traditional but senior-friendly technology that offers low-impact exercise to patients who otherwise wouldn’t be able to participate in the actual sport.

“A wonderful by-product of this device is the connection that can be made between the elderly patients and their grandchildren,” adds Samuelson. “A hospital can seem like unfamiliar territory to children and teenagers but through this technology they can become totally engaged in their visit with a grandparent through something they’re thoroughly familiar with and that’s a win-win scenario if I ever saw one!”

If you would like to provide comments or suggestions about hospital services, please contact Cholly Boland, President and CEO, Winchester District Memorial Hospital at 613.774.1049 or by email at cboland@wdmh.on.ca.