Rehabilitation provides a great “tune up” when needed


Rehabilitation at VMH ... The Rehabilitation Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital has proven to be a great place to come whenever someone feels they need to “tune up” and regain some strength in their muscle tone, work on better balance, or flexibility. Marshall Kruse of rural Lansing attends regular physical and occupational rehabilitation two times per year whenever he is ready for a ‘tune up’ to regain muscle strength and walking ability. Pictured above, Marshall with Amy Robinson, Rehabilitation Director at Veterans Memorial Hospital. Submitted photo.

The Rehabilitation Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital has proven to be a great place to come whenever someone feels they need to “tune up” and regain some strength in their muscle tone, work on better balance or flexibility.

Marshall Kruse is one of those patients. For the past five years, he has been visiting the Rehabilitation department for regular physical and occupational therapy each spring and fall. Marshall experienced a brain injury in 2005 while living in Cedar Falls. After he and his family moved to Lansing, he began having his rehabilitation at Veterans Memorial Hospital. Whenever he feels that he has declined in his abilities, he receives doctor’s orders to attend rehab to work on building his muscles back up and get walking again.

“Marshall has had great success with this rehabilitation schedule,” states Amy Robinson, PT, Rehabilitation Director at Veterans Memorial Hospital. “He will attend rehabilitation sessions with us twice a week and spend about two hours here each time working hard to regain his strength. Then after he is all ‘tuned up’ again he is ready to head back home to his own exercise routine.”

Marshall does work hard at home using his own pulley system and gym equipment, but appreciates getting out of the house for his therapy.

“Coming to the Rehabilitation department is great for me,” states Marshall.  “Working with the staff and alongside the other patients really helps motivate me. When I see I am slowing down at home, then I know it is time to come in for another round of exercise.”

Robinson sees many patients of all ages that frequent the Rehabilitation department for the same reasons.  “We often see patients coming back for another round of therapy to help rebuild those muscles that have weakened, or work on their balance, or flexibility. Rehab also helps people stay safe and lessen their risk for falls in the home or out in the community. We all enjoy the companionship that our patients share. Not only does it motivate them to work hard, but it motivates all of us staff members as well to see the possibilities in all of our patients and work toward that goal.”

Anyone interested in seeking physical or occupational rehabilitation should contact their medical provider for a professional referral. For questions, contact the Veterans Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Department at 563-568-3411.