The Winnfield Rotary Club received a visit from the Lagniappe Therapy team at its meeting on March 18, 2024, compliments of Rotarian of the Day, Teddy Ray Price. This team, according to its members, is like a family to each other. They enjoy working together, check on each other and take care of each other in addition to caring for the patients in need of therapy at Autumn Leaves Nursing and Rehabilitation.

The Lagniappe Therapy team consists of occupational therapist Jim Muse, occupational therapist assistant Jarrett Gomez, physical therapist Justin Johnson, physical therapist assistant Shawna Ruble and speech therapist Jennifer Lofton. Samantha Daniel, manager of the unit, was the only member of the team not present for the presentation.

While there is overlap in treatment areas of the body between OT and PT, Lagniappe’s team generally has the OT group work with the upper body and the PT group work on areas from the waist down. The team members all help each other with each patient’s treatment as needed. One might find two, three or even four team members helping a single patient if needed.

The Lagniappe therapists are excited about the state-of-the-art therapy systems available at Autumn Leaves, including the suspension system that allows a patient to walk without fear of falling, and the Jintronix video system with an X-Box camera which recording patients on screen as they practice movements such as kicking or reaching. The system measures their functional movements and tracks progress of their recovery.

PT Justin Johnson reported that the team sent 32 patients home from the rehab unit in the last year. They also work with in-patients to help increase their mobility even though their goals may not include going home.

Speech Therapist Jennifer Lofton works with patients who have difficulty with chewing, swallowing, memory, or dementia problems, as well as stroke victims, using electronic stimulation therapy to improve muscle strength as well as exercise and practice of facial, throat and brain movement and function. It is important to begin all forms of therapy immediately after a stroke as the most recovery of function occurs within the first 90 days after the event.