April 2, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 17 ‘Breakfast Bar’ adds unique dimension to therapy A unique approach to physical therapy is being offered at The David F. Bolger Post-acute Care Unit at Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff. The Breakfast Bar was a collaborative effort between PACU staff and Peter Peter- son, LNHA, Heritage Manor Nursing Home/Southgate vice president and administrator, and Denise Ratcliffe, LNHA, executive vice president and COO, as a means to allow high-functioning PACU patients serve themselves breakfast from a buffet-style line and then go to the gym for therapy. Breakfast, therefore, becomes a therapeutic activ- ity that prepares the patients for at-home management. “This functionally based treatment approach prepares the client for the specific activities and skill sets that they need to both successfully transition and remain in their dis- charge environment,” said Rehabilitation Services Director Ritchie Lim. “With the use of this approach, patients ben- Giving metabolism a boost (continued from page 15) burning energy and boosting its metabolism along the way. Fish is another potentially beneficial food for those looking to boost their metabolisms, as studies have shown that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils increase the levels of fat-burning enzymes in the body while decreas- ing the body’s level of fat-storage enzymes. Eating more often benefits the body because doing so stimulates metabolism, reassuring the body that food will be coming on a regular basis. When meals are skipped or there are long intervals between meals, the body reacts as if it might run out of food and begins to store fat. Add some lean muscle. Lean muscle can boost metab- olism, so a workout dominated by cardiovascular exer- cise will not have as positive an impact on metabolism as one that includes a combination of weight training and aerobic exercise. When muscles are worked hard, the body needs to work hard to recover and rebuild those muscles, burning more calories and boosting metabolism as a result. Don’t believe everything you read or hear. Sugges- tions abound as to ways to significantly improve metabo- lism. Unfortunately, many of these suggestions boost metabolism but not enough to help people lose weight, which is the ultimate goal of many people. For example, green tea has its proponents who feel it can have a sig- nificant impact on metabolism thanks to EGCG, a com- pound found in the tea that has been proven to elevate metabolism. However, the impact of EGCG on boosting metabolism is negligible, and therefore will not make much of an impact on a person’s weight. The same can be said about capsaicin, an active component found in chili peppers that some feel boosts metabolism enough to promote weight loss. Though capsaicin can boost metab- olism slightly, studies have shown that influence is not significant enough to affect a person’s weight. Don’t get too comfortable. Modern technology may be a reason waist sizes are getting bigger. Heating and cool- ing systems may be must-have items, but when the body is too comfortable, it burns less energy to stay warm in the winter or comfortably cool in the summer. A study from the National Institute of Health Clinical Center found that people who slept in a room kept at 66 F burned seven percent more calories than those who slept in a room at 75 F. Sleeping in a cooler room may just be the easiest way for men and women to boost their metabolisms. efit from a skilled-therapy intervention program that will better prepare them for the skills they will be required to perform daily in their environment.” In addition, the Breakfast Bar provides a practical gauge for the therapists to determine if the patient is ready to be discharged and take care of his or her daily living needs. They watch the patient pouring juice, making toast, and handling a cup of coffee, all things he or she will need to do upon discharge. One patient commented that after visiting the Breakfast Bar, she realized that she was not yet strong enough to manage by herself at home. Another patient com- mented that the Breakfast Bar allowed him to feel more confident that he could manage going back home. Feedback from the patients has been very positive, since they enjoy the social aspect and don’t really even consider it a part of their treatment plan. One patient said, “I enjoy socializing with other reha- bilitation patients and realized that I am not alone in my struggles.” CHCC is located at 301 Sicomac Avenue in Wyckoff. Visit christianhealthcare.org or call (201) 848-5200 for additional information.