Rehab

How Shore Helps Mike Manage Parkinson’s, One Step at a Time

JoeSMC2009 — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:55:48 +0000

How Shore Helps Mike Manage Parkinson’s, One Step at a Time

June 25, 2025

JoeSMC2009 Wed, 06/25/2025 - 09:55

With your support, Shore is helping patients like Mike live stronger with Parkinson’s.

“What do you call a bear with no teeth?”

Mike P. of Egg Harbor Township asks the question with a grin, looking to his physical therapist, Joe Farrell, DPT, for an answer. He gives Joe a second to guess, then delivers the punchline. “A gummy bear!”

At 78, Mike has been through more than his fair share: chronic pain, multiple back and eye surgeries, and most recently, a life-changing Parkinson’s diagnosis. But no matter the obstacle, he shows up every Tuesday to Shore Medical Center’s outpatient physical therapy clinic with determination, gratitude — and a brand-new dad joke.

Mike’s Parkinson’s diagnosis came in September 2024 after undergoing a DaTscan in Shore’s Nuclear Medicine department — a specialized imaging test that confirms the disease. Shore is the only facility in our region offering this important diagnostic service, because it’s the right thing to do for our patients. And thanks to your support, we can continue to provide critical services like this, even when they’re not widely available elsewhere.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, causing tremors, stiffness, and balance issues. Before starting physical therapy at Shore, Mike experienced two pretty bad falls.

“I fell in the shower and got a nice bump on my head,” he said. “Then I fell in the garage and really hurt my elbow.”

Six months into therapy with Joe, things have changed.

“When I started, they had to hold me up with a strap just to exercise,” Mike says. “But now, I’m climbing steps, my balance is better, and I haven’t fallen once since starting therapy. I don’t even use my cane when I’m at home.”

Joe leads Mike through exercises that target the three key areas most impacted by Parkinson’s:

Balance and gait training to improve stability
Strength and flexibility exercises to maintain muscle tone and joint mobility
Coordination training to support smoother, more controlled movement

Joe is more than just a therapist. He spent an entire year in PT school studying how to help people with Parkinson’s maintain mobility and quality of life, but he also has personal experience - his grandfather lived with the disease for 12 years.

“Mike and I just clicked right away,” Joe said. “After a few sessions, we knew we worked well together. It’s become a great relationship.”

One of the biggest challenges people with Parkinson’s face is freezing, when the body suddenly stops responding mid-movement. Joe says overcoming it is just as much mental as physical.

“It’s less about balance at first and more about building confidence,” he explained. “If someone freezes, they need to know they’re okay and how to move through it. Teaching those techniques and helping them feel in control makes all the difference.”\

Mike has found that control — and confidence — thanks to Joe and the team at Shore. Though he no longer drives, his wife of nearly 55 years makes sure he gets to every appointment. “She drives me crazy and keeps me going,” Mike said with a smile. “I wouldn’t be here without her.”

He also draws strength from the people he sees each week in the clinic. “It reminds me I’m not the only one going through something,” he said. “And that helps keep me grateful.”

Thanks to your support, Shore can continue to provide this level of personalized, expert care for people like Mike. You help us offer services and therapies that truly change lives — not because they’re easy, but because they’re needed.

And you help make room for joy, too.

“What has four wheels and flies?” Mike asks with a grin on his way out of therapy. “A garbage truck!”

Thank you for being part of Mike’s story — and so many others. If you’d like to help more patients like Mike receive the care and support they need, please consider making a gift to Shore Medical Center today, so we can continue providing life-changing programs and services to our community.

Shore Medical Center Now Offers Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, Welcomes Andrea Olsen, PT, DPT

JoeSMC2009 — Wed, 14 May 2025 19:55:38 +0000

Shore Medical Center Now Offers Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, Welcomes Andrea Olsen, PT, DPT

May 14, 2025

JoeSMC2009 Wed, 05/14/2025 - 15:55

Shore Medical Center is proud to announce the expansion of its outpatient rehabilitation services with the addition of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, a much-needed specialty that supports both men and women experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction. Leading this new service line is Andrea Olsen, PT, DPT, a highly trained and compassionate physical therapist with extensive experience in pelvic floor therapy.

Olsen joins Shore Medical Center from Body in Balance in Linwood, where she played an integral role in establishing and growing their pelvic floor physical therapy program. She brings with her a deep commitment to helping patients manage and overcome a range of conditions that can significantly affect quality of life.

A local graduate, Olsen earned both her Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a minor in Holistic Health and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Stockton University. Since earning her DPT in 2019, she has dedicated her career to treating patients with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction using evidence-based, individualized care approaches.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy at Shore Medical Center will benefit individuals experiencing:

Urinary incontinence, frequency, urgency and overactive bladder
Painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis)
Constipation, fecal incontinence and fecal urgency
Pelvic pain
Pelvic organ prolapse
Pudendal neuralgia
Diastasis recti
Prenatal and postpartum conditions (vaginal or cesarean delivery)
Low back, hip, sacroiliac joint, and coccyx pain

Treatments will include manual therapy techniques to improve muscle length, tone and coordination; bladder/bowel retraining to improve habits; strengthening and neuromuscular re-education to maximize strength and function; and goal-specific interventions and education.

“We are thrilled to bring Andrea’s expertise to our patients,” said Jennifer S. Pesce, PT, DPT, Administrative Director of Rehabilitation, Sleep Lab and Cardiopulmonary Rehab. “Pelvic floor dysfunction is more common than many people realize, and it can impact every aspect of life—physically, emotionally, and socially. By offering this specialized therapy, we’re expanding access to high-quality care that helps people reclaim comfort and confidence.”

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy services are now available by appointment at Shore Medical Center’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, located at 710 Centre Street, Somers Point, NJ 08004.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 609-653-3512. Click here to learn more about Shore’s Outpatient Rehabilitation services

Shore Medical Center’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program: Improving Quality of Life

JoeSMC2009 — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 19:30:25 +0000

Shore Medical Center’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program: Improving Quality of Life

March 6, 2024

JoeSMC2009 Wed, 03/06/2024 - 14:30

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. Symptoms can vary from patient to patient but often include shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, phlegm production, and coughing up mucus. COPD is diagnosed by symptomatology, having a chest x-ray, and completing a Pulmonary Function Study at a local hospital or physician’s office. According to the American Lung Association, as of January 24, 2024, COPD has affected 11.7 million people in the United States.

COPD can be difficult for those affected as it makes it challenging to do simple tasks such as brushing your teeth, putting on clothes, showering, tying shoes, and walking. Shore's Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center offers a pulmonary rehabilitation program that helps those with COPD and other respiratory illnesses improve their quality of life. Bridging the gap between illness and wellness, the program integrates exercise, education, and nutritional counseling.

Pulmonary Rehab, from Start to Finish
The program begins with a review of the patient’s health history. In addition, an exercise physiologist will evaluate the patient's oxygen levels, analyze the causes of shortness of breath, review medication usage, and assess the patient’s goals.

This is followed by a sub-maximal symptom limited 6-minute walk where oxygen saturations, heart rate, blood pressure, shortness of breath, and distance covered are measured by an exercise physiologist. From there, the exercise physiologist develops an exercise prescription plan. This plan is patient-specific to guide each patient in the right direction.

As the patient exercises in the comfort of the center’s modern facility, they’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that they are being electronically monitored for any sign of irregularity in oxygen level, heart rhythm, blood pressure, or other vital functions. Medical treatment is seconds away for patients if needed. A staff of exercise physiologists and specialists supervises their workouts and provides positive reinforcement as well. The exercise prescription not only includes an exercise plan but also offers nutritional counseling. Shore ensures that all resources are on-site to make it feasible for COPD patients to get complete care.

What Makes it Successful
“As part of the initial assessment, we establish benchmarks, timelines, and goals for the patient. This keeps the patient on track and gives us a way to measure their progress,” says Mark Zaleskiewicz, Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist at Shore Medical Center, who was instrumental in creating the program at Shore 25 years ago. “Our program has been successful because it has proven to improve breathing capability, aerobic conditioning, overall muscular strength and coordination, and even psychological outlooks.”

In addition to the clinical expertise, one of the other main factors in the success of the pulmonary program is the compassionate and supportive staff. Director of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Jennifer Pero MSN, RN, oversees the program and explains, “We support, encourage, and celebrate each patient who participates in the program. It is inspiring to see their progress and we are very proud of their commitment and dedication.” This is why we hold a graduation- complete with cap and gown- for those who complete the 36-visit program. One of our past patients never had the opportunity to experience any type of graduation. Ours was his first, so he invited his family to celebrate with him. It was really special to see.”

A physician referral is required to participate in the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program. The cardiopulmonary rehabilitation team is available to answer any questions regarding insurance in advance. The Shore Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center is located on the first floor at 710 Centre Street in Somers Point, across from Shore Medical Center, and is open Monday through Friday. Close, convenient, and free parking is available just a short distance from the Center's front door. For more information, call 609-653-4677.

Jeff’s Story: From Near-Death to Cardiac Rehab Grad

JoeSMC2009 — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 17:05:18 +0000

Jeff’s Story: From Near-Death to Cardiac Rehab Grad

February 29, 2024

JoeSMC2009 Thu, 02/29/2024 - 12:05

Pictured: Jeff Amarando, center, with his Exercise Physiologists Enrique Rodriguez, left, and Mark Zaleskiewicz, at his graduation from cardiac rehab on January 26.

As American Heart Month comes to a close, we are thrilled to share with you this inspiring story about Jeff Amarando, a 52-year-old Ocean City resident who recently graduated from Shore's cardiac rehabilitation program after suffering a massive heart attack. Jeff will be forever grateful for Shore's program because it helped give him his life back. Thanks to the support of our community, Shore can continue to provide cardiac rehab and many other life-changing services!

Jeff was a hardworking entrepreneur for many years, putting in 80-hour weeks running a pizza shop and his Island Carpet Cleaning company - all while raising two daughters with his wife, taking care of his dogs, and, for a time, caring for his parents. But everything changed on August 27 when he suffered a massive heart attack just as he sat down with his wife to watch TV.

Despite the odds, Jeff survived after multiple brushes with death, enduring weeks of hospitalization and setbacks. Now, through Shore's Cardiac Rehab program, he's on the path to recovery, defying the slim chance he was given.

Cardiac rehab is a supervised exercise program where patients who had a heart attack, heart surgery, or other serious heart-related conditions are coached on treadmills, exercise bikes, and other equipment as they rebuild their cardiovascular health. Jeff says that what he loves most about the program is the people.

"I tell everybody about it. The staff, like Mark and Enrique, they keep you going and encourage you, you know what I mean? At first, I had to really take my time. I'd do what I could and go home, gradually building up. They take your blood pressure, they're right on it, and if anything were to happen, you know you'd be okay in their hands," Jeff said.

On January 26, after 36 cardiac rehab sessions, Jeff officially graduated from the program - cap, gown, diploma and all. But Jeff had no intention of stopping. Recognizing the value of ongoing camaraderie and support, Jeff continues to attend the maintenance program at cardiac rehab twice a week, cherishing the sense of belonging and encouragement he finds there.

"I love coming here. I was a workaholic before, and now I have a lot of time on my hands, so this helps keep me busy."

Jeff has a whole new way of life now. He sold the pizza shop, adopted a heart-healthy diet, and now feels confident enough to take walks at home, either alone or with his family - even on the days he has cardiac rehab. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the invaluable role of programs like Shore Medical Center's cardiac rehabilitation in transforming lives.

As we continue our "Caring Together" series, let's celebrate Jeff's journey and the countless others whose lives have been touched by the unwavering support of our community. Together, we're making a difference – one inspiring story at a time.

Shore Medical Center Expands Outpatient Rehabilitation Program with New Therapists and Service Lines

JoeSMC2009 — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 16:42:00 +0000

Shore Medical Center Expands Outpatient Rehabilitation Program with New Therapists and Service Lines

June 1, 2023

JoeSMC2009 Thu, 06/01/2023 - 12:42

Shore Medical Center announced today it has expanded its outpatient rehabilitation services with the addition of four new therapists from Bacharach Institute for Rehabilitation. With these new therapists, Shore Medical Center’s outpatient rehabilitation services offer a greater capacity for care and two new service lines: oncology rehabilitation and lymphedema management, and occupational therapy for the upper extremity. The new staff members include physical therapists Kevin Scott, MSPT, Nancy Thurlow, MSPT, and Jennifer C. Brooks, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA, and occupational therapist Patricia Chichester, OTR/L.

Jennifer C. Brooks, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA is a physical therapist who specializes in oncology rehabilitation and lymphedema management, and has over 20 years of experience in this field. She helps people who have been affected by cancer regain range of motion and strength, reduce pain and swelling and improve their quality of life. Brooks also helps people with non-cancer-related lymphedema and swelling, including those with poor circulation or lymphatic system problems resulting from accidents or surgeries. Brooks sees patients at Shore Cancer Center, making it the only cancer center in the region to offer this program.

Patricia Chichester, OTR/L, has been an occupational therapist for 34 years, primarily focused on rehabilitation of the upper extremity, including the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder, helping patients regain functional mobility. She treats wrist and finger fractures, contractures, flexor tendon repairs, stroke and post-operative procedures that affect the upper extremity. She also treats repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow. Chichester is seeing patients at Shore’s Center for Outpatient Rehabilitation located at 710 Centre Street, across from Shore Medical Center.

Kevin Scott, MSPT, and Nancy Thurlow, MSPT, provide physical therapy to patients at Shore’s Center for Outpatient Rehabilitation, treating a wide range of conditions, including accidental or sports-related injuries, stroke, brain injury, amputation, arthritis, balance disorders, post-operative recovery and more.

Jennifer Pesce, PT, DPT, Director of Outpatient Rehabilitation at Shore Medical Center, says Shore's outpatient rehabilitation program has grown rapidly over the last several years. Now, with oncology rehabilitation and hand therapy, she and her team are looking forward to helping even more people receive care close to home.

"These therapists are new to Shore Medical Center, but they are not new to our community – each has been practicing locally for decades. They bring a wealth of experience and fit perfectly into our model of care at Shore,” Pesce says. “We’re proud to offer our community greater convenience, more diverse treatments and even better patient outcomes.”

To learn more about outpatient physical and occupational therapy at Shore Medical Center, or to schedule an appointment, please call 609-653-3512.