Signature HealthCARE of Putnam County is proud to announce that they have recently launched “Restore Me,” a new twist on restorative nursing. As part of that launch, they have kicked off a new program entitled “Race Route 66.” In this unique competition, elders from Signature HealthCARE of Putnam County are competing against elders from other Signature homes to see which facility can walk the equivalent of Route 66, which is 2,451 miles. This will occur over the course of the next few months and end in November or December with a winner.
Our elders have formed a team and at the end of the competition. their overall steps will be combined to see which facility reaches the end of Route 66 first. Those elders who are unable to walk have the option to self-propel their wheelchair in order to participate. “This is a wonderful program which encourages our elders to not only walk, or roll in a wheelchair, but to be more active in their day to day lives. Every step they take is added to make up the distance which will take us from Chicago, Illinois, to Los Angeles, California. Our elders are outfitted with pedometers to keep track and our staff assists them when needed. It is actually an added bonus if a staff member walks with them. This promotes a higher quality of living for all those involved,” stated Lee Rooney, CEO.
Along the route are several predesigned pit stops, which mock those used in the hit TV show The Amazing Race. During these pit stops, there will be several different options of events that can be held at the home. These events will become a virtual vacation for the elders as they begin to experience and learn new things. “We kicked off our journey by replicating being in Chicago and eating deep dish pizza, Chicago style hot dogs, and having an outdoor party. We currently are on a pit stop in St. Louis, Missouri where our elders are learning about the Gateway Arch, the Botanical Gardens, and the Route 66 Drive-In Theater,” added Rooney.
Also along the route are a few predesigned detours, in which the team must complete a challenge in order to continue along the route.
The Route 66 program also promotes engagement and relationship building among stakeholders and elders. If an elder and a stakeholder walk together, the team will receive bonus points that will add to their overall total. “This program is just one more way that shows how our facility promotes life. Our goal is to give our elders, not only an opportunity to enjoy daily events, but to also have something to look forward to. We want to eliminate loneliness, helplessness, and boredom,” stated Rooney.
The purpose of this program is to promote mobility among elders in a holistic way.