Reviews

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I’m a great example of how Alina and her team are dedicated to help with our wellness needs. Not just physical, but emotional and spiritual as well. I lost the love of my life last year on Thanksgiving Day. My world was torn apart and I struggled to find a meaning for my life. In the spring, I responded to a 10-question survey Alina posed in the newsletter. One of the questions asked how you were dealing with loneliness during the COVID lockdown. Well, I poured out my heart as being alone was the hardest thing I’ve ever endured. I was never alone in the 69 years of my life. Alina contacted me and we discussed her responsibility to our community for total wellness, not just PT/OT. She offered to send an OT and PT to evaluate me to see if they could work on issues and at the same time provide emotional support just by the fact that I would have company. Working with Ashleigh and Blair was the best thing that happened to me since I lost my Diane. Not only are they great at their jobs as an OT and PT, but are amazing young people that provide the emotional support I desperately required. They knew when I was having a bad day and we able to talk about my grief and how to cope. They talked me into joining the Zoom classes and getting an Apple watch to track my progress. Best thing I ever did. Exercise, it turns out, is a great coping mechanism for grief. I compete with my kids and grandkids that also have Apple watches and have lost 40lbs since. I enjoy going to the gym and working with Chuck. His friendship means a great deal to me and he too has helped me cope with my loss. We’ve had discussions about the benefits of exercise and the classes not just for my physical health, but emotional as well. We even talked about my spiritual well-being. Maybe you wouldn’t think so, but he too, like the girls, could second as a grief counselor. And the addition of Katie has been great. She is a wonderful, happy, caring person that brightens my ay whenever I see her. These amazing people have added so much to my life. I don’t know where I would be at this point in my life without them. They are like family. ~ Daniel Misdom 

 As primary caretaker for my Mother, who is 91 years old and has some mobility and memory challenges, I am very grateful to receive training and assistance from Ashleigh.  She has given me critically important guidance and training, including how best to handle bathing and general issues of self-care.  Her rapport with Mom is excellent.  Mom always enjoys her time with Ashleigh, whether in person or via Zoom.  Ashleigh can also get Mom to do a lot more of the exercises than I can!  During this time of isolation, when we are not receiving home visits, I often think of what a disaster this would have been for us if I didn't have the skills that Ashleigh taught me.  At first I had no idea what OT was, or what the value of it would be.  Now I am very much aware and grateful for it.  Continuing the connection through Zoom sessions has been enormously helpful.  Thank you Ashleigh!  ~ Zoe Pappas 

 First I want to say a huge THANK YOU for steering us to the services of Ashleigh Stevens, OT.  She is able to motivate my husband in his self-care and even a little exercise when he just won't cooperate with me!  She's also taught me a great deal about how to manage his care as well as take care of myself.

On the subject of caring for myself, Home Exercise Program with Kris and Balance, Gait & Strength with Chuck have netted some very positive results in both my physical and mental well-being.  While I'm unable to Zoom in to every class, I definitely make time for all I can as circumstances permit.  I certainly look forward to getting back to my regular PT, but I hope to continue LIVE with some of the classes I've been introduced to while ZOOM-ing!

Thank you so much for providing these services during these unusual times and helping us realize that also much good has resulted from them! ~ Laura Gannaway

I would like to begin by quoting an article from May’s AARP Bulletin.  “Exercise may be the most important lifestyle intervention you can add to your daily routines”.  It goes on to say that “regular workouts boost immune function, lower inflammation and that skeletal muscle is a major immune regulatory organ.”
Having said that, I couldn’t be more impressed with the efforts made by LWVA management to find ways to continue most all of the activities that have been a part of our daily routine.  In particular, the work of Dr. Alina Dawson has been extraordinary in terms of being able to coordinate all these physical activities and bring them together into our homes via virtual classes through Zoom. Dr. Alina makes her self available to work with individuals to familiarize them with this new method of communication which surprisingly turned out to be quite simple for me.  
While all of the activity classes are beneficial, I was drawn to the Yoga class shortly after I moved to LWVA. I knew nothing about this activity/exercise, whatever it was. Rather than finding it intimidating, I found myself in an environment that was immediately welcoming, safe, quiet and no mention of being able to stand on my head as the ultimate goal of this practice.  As new positions and movements were introduced, it was very gratifying to hear the instructor reinforce that our practice was our own and we were to determine what worked for us at our own pace and level of comfort.  In a short time I began to feel stronger and flexible.  Personally, I feel that my ROM (range of motion) far exceeds that of people half my age. My energy level remains consistently high and balance and gait are strong. The periodic feeling of falling or tripping in the past are now non-existent.
Lastly, the idea these days of people being able to participate in such activities from the privacy and comfort of their own home should be a great tool to serve as a motivator to a longer and healthier life. 
Bless  you, Bobbie Brennan

During this time of isolation zooming in to exercise with Patty has become a highlight of our day. We have been regulars at her class when she was teaching at the clubhouse, but now her class has become even more important to my wife and I.  Patty is truly an expert in exercise instruction. She provides a class that can be challenging to all fitness levels while at the same time offering adaptations to accommodate the physical challenges often faced by our aging population. 
The opportunity to have some normality during this stressful period is greatly appreciated. Whether it is our favorite classes with Patty or any of the many wonderful classes provide through Dr. Alina’s wellness  program we recommend that you “Zoom in.”  ~ Bill Grau

The AARP Bulletin (AARP.ORG/BULLETIN) May 2020 states: "Regular workouts boost immune function and lower inflammation. Exercise strengthens the body and may be the most important lifestyle intervention you can add." What makes Dr. Alina uniquely qualified is her personal connection to Lansdowne Woods. Her mission is to provide the very best program that services the entire community, not just by word of mouth or a blurb in "The Connector". More importantly, she has the sincere desire to connect with each individual on a personal level. I have witnessed her compassion in reaching out to individuals who were struggling physically and emotionally. This level of personal commitment and compassion would never be present in someone less invested in the well-being of this community. I recently had a fall and suffered a shoulder injury. I reached out to Dr. Alina and (at no charge) she provided counseling and written material to educate me about the structure of the shoulder and how to promote healing! I also had a PT evaluation to identify areas needing improvement. After a few treatment sessions I was provided a home exercise program specific to improving posture and core strength. I am also taking many fitness classes and continue to maintain and improve mobility, balance and strength. Unlike watching a YOUTube exercise video, the exercise classes are fun and geared for the varied levels of the participants. It is as much an opportunity to socialize as to exercise in a congenial environment. It is evident the instructors are also invested in personal relationships with the participants and the community.

Kindest regards, Ro Niemeyer 

Dr. Alina, as you may recall, I was scheduled to have knee replacement, but as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was postponed.  Since “hands on” therapy was no longer an option, I have been taking Kris’s Sunrise Stretch class @ 7 a.m. Monday thru Friday.  He has gone out of his way to simulate most of the pre-surgery moves that are so necessary to ensure a speedy recovery.

I feel truly blessed to have access to such professionalism right from our own clubhouse with the Zoom classes, so thank you to all & Kris, in particular, for your dedication to the residents of Lansdowne Woods.

Please stay safe & healthy. Sincerely, Fran Cubelo 

During this COVID-19 outbreak, one of the shining rays of light has been that Alina put exercise classes on zoom for us! Access is so easy. I have enjoyed Patty's cardio classes and Catherine's mindfulness meditation. Us seniors need to stay active and not just hibernate. So proud that Lansdowne Woods of Virginia (LWVA) and its employees understand that! Thank you! Sharon K. Solomon 

We moved to LWVA in May 2019 and were soon after faced with my having a series of medical problems that required both physical therapy and occupational therapy.  To our good fortune we were able to engage the services of Dr. Alina and her staff of exceptional therapists.  My wife. Also had the need to have physical therapy so we are both very familiar with the value of having Dr. Alina at LWVA. We have both experienced PT and OT at other facilities and can attest to the exceptional and convenient support that is available to LWVA residents. Dr. Alina has assembled an outstanding team of experienced, caring and well-trained therapists that will continue to provide much needed support at LWVA.

~ Marge & Tom Eales

We have been residents at LWVA for about two years and have already come to consider Dr. Alina's services as one of the main reasons we are pleased to be living here.  Thanks to Dr. Alina, and specifically her assistant Chuck Owens, my wife has strengthened her shoulder to the point that surgery is no longer being considered.  She has also participated in Chuck's balance and stretch classes.  We have found Chuck to be especially knowledgeable and effective. ~ Bill & Robyn Jacobson

Email: team@fulldistance.com