By Jon Moskin
Hao La, the SFCJL Director of Rehabilitation, always dreamed of stepping onto the field…not as a player, but as the physical therapist helping athletes reach their peak performance. He’d get to chase personal records and celebrate championship moments. But somewhere between his first and last physical therapy rotations, that dream started to shift.
“Sure, it would be great to help an athlete jump a couple of inches higher or sprint a couple of seconds faster,” he said. “But compared to helping someone get up out of bed for the first time, or learning how to walk again, or helping them stand, or getting their balance back, there is no comparison. And that’s why I chose to work with older patients. It’s so rewarding.”
And thus, the 49ers’ loss is the Campus’s gain, as Hao and the team* provide physical, occupational, and speech therapy services to patients and residents throughout the Campus.
“I’m grateful to be part of an incredible care team,” Hao said. “That includes my physical therapist assistant, Brian; occupational therapists, Anna and Karissa; and speech therapist, Amanda.” The rehabilitation squad of specialists tends to the recovery needs of dozens of patients and residents, with most individuals receiving therapy two to three times per week based on medical necessity and functional goals.
“It’s definitely a group effort,” Hao said, noting the ongoing collaboration with the nursing staff, physicians, the health and wellness team, families, and residents. “That collaboration allows us to provide what are essentially outpatient services to the residents that live here, which means that they don’t have to go outside of our community to get treatment. We utilize the gym, hallways, resident rooms, whatever it takes for us to help get them back on their feet or moving better.”
Regardless of the treatment setting, Hao shared that the most important element of a productive recuperative environment is not strictly their therapies, but rather, mutual engagement.
You want therapists who know the residents and are involved. When you’re really part of the community, and you build relationships, the residents know you, the staff knows you, and everyone works together toward the same goal.
Hao La
That philosophy integrates the Campus’s overall mission: providing care that goes beyond treating injuries to help residents preserve their independence, improve their quality of life, and remain active members of the community. It’s a collaborative and personalized care model that consistently demonstrates how on-site rehabilitation plays a vital role in helping older adults continue living life to the fullest, whether here at the Campus or at home.
“The best part is that we see results,” Hao said. “And seeing that the work the residents put in is making a difference in the quality of their lives is part of what makes this work so gratifying. And the fact that the residents are so funny and full of stories makes it a whole lot of fun as well.”
Sounds like a home run for everyone.
*EmpowerMe Wellness is the Campus’s designated on-site partner for rehabilitation and wellness services.