Working in

a supervised weight training program, she began to

realize that she could quickly regain the strength she

had lost and even add some new muscle.

"At

first I was really sick and weak," she states.

"But after the first week, I was feeling so much

stronger that I knew this treatment was helping me. I

wanted to continue to get stronger so that when I

returned home, I would be able to cook for myself and

remain independent for a long time to come."

Home-2-Home

is based on new knowledge and experience about the

physical potential of elderly persons. In as little as

six weeks, a frail senior can increase strength by as

much as 90 percent. Home-2-Home also offers treatment for

the problem of incontinence.

Frailty and

incontinence are the top two reasons why seniors are

admitted into nursing homes. For most clients, it takes

four to six weeks in the Home-2-Home program to restore

sufficient health and strength to be safely independent.

Bruce

Erickson, vice president of senior services at Christian

City, summarizes Home-2-Home this way: "For persons

who would otherwise move to a nursing home for the

remainder of their life, Home-2-Home offers new hope.

Rather than simply managing the health problems, we are

changing the health status of the client for the better.

I think every senior who is facing the possibility of a

move from home into a nursing home deserves an

opportunity to regain sufficient health for

independence."

After just

three weeks in the program, Louise returned home with

enough strength to handle her own cooking and enjoy her

independence. Her participation in the Christian City

water aerobics program twice weekly will help her stay

strong and healthy.

Home-2-Home

coordinator Dionne Syblis RN has called Louise several

times since her discharge to make sure she is doing okay.

"More

often than not when I call, she is out running

errands," she noted. "I guess that is the best

indicator that the program works. She has regained full

independence."

The

Home-2-Home program at Christian City is helping many

people just like Louise not only return home, but enjoy a

new strength and ability to stay independent. For more

information about the program, call admissions

coordinator Pam Jensen at 770-964-3301.