The Veale Wellness & Aquatic Center is helping people at Ohio Living Breckenridge Village and the community to thrive

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For cardio, Veale offers machines that range from ellipticals and treadmills to NuStep stationary bikes with recumbent seats that accommodate those with different physical issues. One of the most exciting new pieces of equipment they have added to the fitness arsenal is the Tonal, similar to the smart strength training system. (Photography: Felicia Vargo)

By Patricia Nugent

Creating a path for people to thrive physically, socially and emotionally, Ohio Living Breckenridge Village offers membership to the Veale Wellness & Aquatic Center to both its residents and the community at large.

According to Director of Therapy Mimi Pekarek, “We address the key components to wellness, encouraging people to increase strength, flexibility and balance as well as social and mental health.”

Getting Your Balance Right
To determine specific balance issues, Veale is one of a handful of facilities in Northeast Ohio to offer the NeuroCom Balance Master.

“It was originally developed to assess the balance (vestibular) system of astronauts,” says Mimi. “The three main points of your balance are the inner ear, your vision and proprioception, where you feel from the legs. NeuroCom isolates each one to pinpoint where there are deficits in your balance.”

Once the problems are identified, the therapists can offer specific exercises customized to strengthen the areas for the optimal balance.

“One of the things we have been seeing with so many people being less active during the pandemic is that as they get back to living, their normal level of balance is ‘lazy’ because it hasn’t been stimulated,” says Mimi, who adds the center offers free 30-minute balance tests to anyone in the community.

To determine specific balance issues, Veale is one of a handful of facilities in Northeast Ohio to offer the Neurocom Balance Master.

The Latest Fitness Equipment
Surrounded by an indoor walking track and floor-to-ceiling windows, Kaiser resistance machines are more ideal than traditional resistance equipment for seniors.

“Using air resistance allows users to adjust the weight in 1-pound increments, even during a repetition,” she says. “There’s no jerking. This is safer and more efficient.”

For cardio, machines range from ellipticals and treadmills to NuStep stationary bikes with recumbent seats that accommodate those with different physical issues.

One of the most exciting new pieces of equipment they have added to the fitness arsenal is the Tonal, similar to the smart strength training system.

“This wall-mounted interactive touchscreen with cable weights tracks your movements to make sure they are correct,” she explains. “Our members enjoy the built-in library of different workouts that can be personalized to the individual, and also provide workout data and progression.”

Mimi says they also pride themselves on offering a wide range of exercise classes to members, about 13 per week, that include balance, strength, chair yoga, mindfulness and floor Pilates.

For a little recreational break or gathering, the center’s Club Room includes billiards, ping-pong, Wii gaming, and card and game tables set before a fireplace. Well-appointed locker rooms feature a host of amenities such as heated floors.

Ohio Living Breckenridge Village offers membership to the Veale Wellness & Aquatic Center to both its residents and the community at large.

Clinical Therapy and Care
Professional clinicians, physical therapists and occupational therapists offer one-on-one sessions with a variety of innovative treatment options to help people achieve the best possible outcomes.

“I hope people come to realize that when their doctor writes a prescription for rehab, they can have it done anywhere, not just at the hospital,” says Mimi. “We find people attain the best outcomes when they feel they’re a good fit with the environment and therapists.”

Just ask Thomas Reed, who came here recently following a knee replacement. “The staff at Veale has changed my life for the better, when at my age, I wasn’t sure there was a chance of that.”


Theresa and her mother Susan at the Veale Wellness & Aquatic Center

Becoming ‘A Different Person’ in the Water
Meet Theresa and Susan. For the past two years, three times a week, this sweet mother-daughter duo hits the therapy pool at the Veale Wellness and Aquatic Center.

Since 81-year-old Susan is suffering from advanced dementia, cannot speak and uses a wheelchair, Theresa says coming to the pool is the only time she seems happy.

“As soon as she gets into the water via a specially outfitted wheelchair entry system, she starts to smile and laugh,” says Theresa, who notes her mom lived in the apartments at OLBV for three years before needing to move to nursing care at the Fairmont two years ago. “There are other people who swim when we are in the pool, and they’ve become a community of support to us. They say my mom is inspiring to them. I always knew we’d get to this place along her journey, and it isn’t easy, but it’s honestly amazing to watch her become a different person in the water.”

Kept at a soothing 92 degrees, the therapy pool meets the needs of seniors who may be physically impaired. The pool features easy-access entry and exit points with safety railings, as well as a PVC wheelchair. Its novel design is the same depth throughout.

Director of Therapy Mimi Pekarek reports that members can receive one-on-one therapy in the pool, or enjoy any of the water exercise classes, including a combination of aerobic and strength as well as Ai Chi (Tai Chi done in the water). Look for even more classes to be added in January with the addition of a new staff member.

Situated on 53 acres of rolling parkland with scenic views and meandering walking paths, Ohio Living Breckenridge Village is located at 36851 Ridge Road in Willoughby. Options range from active retirement living in two- and three-bedroom ranch homes, condos and apartments to assisted living, short-term rehabilitation, and long-term care facilities. More than 700 residents call the campus home. Hours at the Veale Center are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 440-942-4342 or visit OhioLiving.org for more information. Accommodations within the village are pet friendly.