Therapy and Programs

Special Programs

The Rehab Department has worked hard to include special programs designed to ensure carryover of skilled services and enhance existing service delivery.

Functional Maintenance

Those who require more intensive help with their post rehab programs will benefit from participation in our Functional Maintenance Program. Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists develop programs specific to individual patient needs to maintain gains made during your course of skilled therapy. Highly trained Rehab Aides carryover these programs to assist patients with such things as the following:

• Transfers/walking/exercise/stretching
• Expressive/receptive language and cognitive skills
• Swallowing exercises
• Functional activities such as dressing/bathing

Rehab Dining

Our Rehab Dining Program operates during all 3 meals in a central location. It is designed for patients who have swallowing and/or self-feeding needs. Services are guided and directed by skilled speech and/or occupational therapists and staffed by our Rehab Dining Aides. This program is a favorite with families. Often family members attend rehab dining to visit with loved ones and learn about swallowing/feeding strategies. This program offers patients a consistent venue for learning and maintaining new ways of eating with a supportive and encouraging staff. Many of our graduates have been able to increase their independence and desire to eat through Rehab Dining.

Vital Stim for Swallowing Patients

“The only neuromuscular electrical stimulation that is cleared by the Food and Drug Administration to treat dysphagia.”

Speech Language Pathologists at The Virginian have been certified to perform this exciting new therapy. Many of our patients have made amazing gains with swallowing as a result of using Vital Stim. For more information, please click here: Vital Stim information page.

Exercise Programs/Fitness Center

Our Fitness Center is outfitted with modern up-to-date cardiovascular and weight equipment that will enable a full body workout It offers several cardiovascular machines, including three NuStep Recumbant Steppers, treadmill, recumbent and erect exercise bikes, and an elliptical trainer. Our Fitness Specialist is available to instruct on proper usage of all equipment and assist with personal training needs.

The Virginian also offers a variety of group exercise classes. There is something for everyone! Our Balance Class will help improve your balance by practicing sitting and standing from a chair, one legged stands and many other challenging exercises in a safe environment. Our Aerobic Class is low impact yet it will get you moving! This class also includes using resistive bands to strengthen your muscles. Our Stretch Class is mainly seated and will provide you with an overall body stretch to help improve your range of motion. Tai Chi class utilizes gentle and relaxing movements based on the ancient Chinese practice designed to exercise body, mind, and spirit. Memory Class offers stimulating exercise in a fun environment to exercise and use your brainpower. If you're into exercise videos, we offer several different morning fitness videos that will wake you up to an overall body workout!

Just recently added to our fitness program is the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Class. Specifically formatted for those with arthritis, this class involves using gentle, practical activities to improve joint range of motion and muscle strength. The Virginian also offers this class free of charge to the outside community as a community service.

We have many incentive program during the year to encourage and promote exercise. Our most popular are the Summer Fitness Survival Program and the Walk Across America Program.

Our goal at the Virginian is to ensure that the residents receive proper and safe instruction with all exercise choices. We strive to update and modify our fitness program by adding new exercise classes, equipment, and innovative programs that will accommodate all of our resident's fitness needs.