McKay Healthcare makes program changes

by Sarah Kehoe<br> Herald Staff Writer
| July 1, 2010 1:13 PM

SOAP LAKE — Through a partnership with SunDance Rehabilitation, McKay Healthcare & Rehab Center added in-patient physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy to the facility.

“It’s important we offer these services here so people don’t have to travel long distances to receive the proper therapy,” said Ralph Allen, administrator.

Available therapy programs include pain management, dysphasia, home safety evaluation and balance retraining and fall prevention. Pain management is a non-invasive therapy aimed at providing relief for back and neck pain. Dysphasia focuses on those having difficulty swallowing because of airway obstruction, aspiration pneumonia and dehydration.

Balance retraining and fall prevention is designed for seniors and provides a number of techniques to keep steadiness in tune. The home safety evaluation examines one’s home for overall safety depending upon the resident’s condition so patients can return home safely.

People can personalize each program to fit their needs and time tables.

“All patients have to do is call in and schedule an appointment,” Allen said.

Allen is planning on keeping expansion going by building a wellness center and research institution connected to McKay Healthcare.

“We’ve got a committee working on it right now and are still in the premature planning stages,” Allen said.

The idea is to apply science to investigate Soap Lake’s waters.

“The story has been that Soap Lake has healing waters and so we want to see if we can apply science to the theory to make this successful medicine,” Allen said.

McKay Healthcare workers are talking to experts from universities including the University of Washington and National College of Natural Medicine about the plans.

McKay Healthcare & Rehab Center is located at 127 Second Ave. S. W. in Soap Lake.

For more information, call 509-246-1111.