About Our Research
Read MoreMy favorite work is even with the late to end-stage dementia residents (that are often-times non-responsive, and even behavioral patients). When Dr. Becker and I finish with our current case review (hopefully by early next year if not sooner), I plan to release an accompanying video like I did with my first one that shows the physical, emotional, and cognitive changes with this approach. This new case review covers responses to even extreme agitative bursts that would scare off most land-based attempts, and most certainly aquatic efforts in today’s health care model. The positive response in this patient is literally jaw dropping, and I find it frequently when handling this patient population properly in the water.
What I can state with certainty… exercise…that is the key, and also the problem!
With non-responsive patients, land exercise offers very little potential, and I wish there were exercises in the water that could be a goto- but not so much with patients that are minimally able to respond to verbal or even tactile cueing. So sadly, Ai Chi, yoga, or any other form of our thoughts about traditional exercise are not even a possibility because they require the ability to at least mimmic a movement or respond to some kind of cueing.
I would say my ability to get responses that we see in this patient population (physically, cognitively, and emotionally) comes in using the method of Halliwick Aquatic Therapy (more so Water Specific Therapy, which is based off of the Halliwick Method). There is no such thing as a “Halliwick exercise”. But by using the concept within the context of metacentric effects on human responsiveness in the water, we can start to associate righting reactions to patterns of movement. Once that is achieved, we then try to associate patterns of movement with functional activity. I wish there were an easier way to explain this, but it is seen better through the filter of the method in use.
YouTube Video Releases:
Woodland Terrace has created a powerful aquatic program for their Long Term Care residents, focusing on those with dementia. The facility wellness center director, Teresa Sawyer has proven herself to be a great patient advocate spearheading this program.
CLICK ON THE ICON TO WATCH THE VIDEO
This is a YouTube video with footage of the patient’s response (with family) from the case review ever published on Aquatic Therapy and Alzheimer’s Disease. This video also includes a narrative from the medical staff involved.
CLICK ON THE ICON TO WATCH THE VIDEO
The National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®), published this YouTube video of Dr. Bruce Becker speaking at the 2015 World Aquatic Health Conference (WAHC).
Titled “Aquatic Activity Promoting Nervous System Health,” Dr Becker discusses the various physiological responses with aquatic activity.
CLICK ON THE ICON TO WATCH THE VIDEO
Case Reviews:
Stacy was an integral part to the first case review ever published on Aquatic Therapy & Alzheimer’s Disease was on our patient in Sun City, Arizona.
Click on the icon to the left to view the full article.
Dr. Bruce Becker and Stacy Lynch co-wrote this case report on another patient in Sun City, Arizona. Published in 2018 in the Physical Medicine & Rehab Journal, this review, titled “Aquatic Therapy & End-Stage Dementia” follows a patient with end-stage Alzheimer’s disease and dementia that was experiencing anxiety and behavioral outbursts. With only one treatment a week, the responses were remarkable. Video footage to be released soon.
Click on the icon to the left to view the article on the PM&R website.
Articles and Printed Interviews:
Stacy was asked to return to the Successful Aging podcast on July 30, 2019 to speak on his ongoing research and work in the field of aquatic therapy. This show focuses on the physiological benefits of aquatic therapy on the mind and body. John, Millie and Stacy discuss current trends in aquatic therapy from pain management and orthopedic surgical rehab to the newest in cognitive research.
Click on the media icon above to listen to the show (run time 40:42).
Volume 26, Number 2 was a Special 2018 Issue of the Journal of Aquatic Physical Therapy that included Articles from the keynote speakers of the International Conference on Evidence-Based Aquatic Therapy (ICEBAT). As a keynote speaker, Stacy’s abstract on Aquatic Therapy and End-Stage Dementia was included in the issue.
Two veterans and Stacy Lynch were interviewed about the aquatic program at Oakeson Aquatic Physical Therapy in Peoria Arizona.
Written by Teresa Sawyer and Stacy Lynch about the North Carolina group dementia program for the long-term care residents at Woodland Terrace.
Stacy was a guest on the Successful Aging podcast on October 11, 2017. Successful Aging is a product of the Glendale Star. Listen as I am featured with low back pain surgical patient Ron Harrold, who stated that nothing was working for him until he began aquatic therapy. He stated his results with aquatic therapy were “life changing.” Stacy also discussed his work with the Alzheimer’s disease patient population.
Click on the icon above to listen to the show (run time 20:35).
Click the Glendale Star logo above for the article writeup about the show, that was printed on October 19, 2017.
Gaining momentum and recognition, Teresa Sawyer’s group dementia program for the long-term care residents at Woodland Terrace was featured in the December issue of North Carolina Health News.
Teresa Sawyer’s group dementia program for the long-term care residents at Woodland Terrace continues to be recognized by local media. The Cary Citizen writes about their program in their December issue.
The National Recreation and Park Association is experiencing a growing aquatic influence. The medical field is being invigorated by new discoveries into physical and cognitive benefits with aquatic therapy for seniors, including Alzheimer’s disease.
I was asked to write an article to help communicate the history of aquatic therapy and its potential resurgence across America. I could think of no one better to cowrite this article with me than Teresa Sawyer, as she has effectively taken this movement to the next level at Woodland Terrace in Cary, North Carolina. We hope this article helps to stimulate dialogue between seniors, community organizations, and the medical field.
During a presentation at Woodland Terrace (a Kisco Continuing Care Retirement Community in Cary North Carolina) many researchers, members of the medical community and media were present. Outreach North Carolina (a company dedicated to bring educational, informational and entertaining articles to readers age 50+ throughout south central North Carolina) felt compelled to write an article about our work with aquatics and dementia.
Within months of presenting at Woodland Terrace, Director Teresa Sawyer has implemented a very well structured aquatic program for their Long Term Care residents (with an emphasis on residents with Parkinson’s and dementia).
CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO FOOTAGE OF WOODLAND TERRACE’S PROGRAM
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE THAT BEGAN IT ALL FROM THE AQUATIC THERAPIST
When Aquatic Therapy University issued Stacy the first credential Geriatric Aquaticist in the world by Aquatic Therapy University, it made the attention of The Aquatic Therapist- a blog of the Aquatic Resources Network.
Podcast Interviews:
Stacy was selected to be the first guest guest on the new “Health Everywhere” podcast from Encore Wellness with host Brienna Heltzel on the Benefits of Aquatics.
Click on the media icon above to listen to the show (run time 12:39).
Read More
Stacy was asked to return to the Successful Aging podcast on July 30, 2019 to speak on his ongoing research and work in the field of aquatic therapy. This show focuses on the physiological benefits of aquatic therapy on the mind and body. John, Millie and Stacy discuss current trends in aquatic therapy from pain management and orthopedic surgical rehab to the newest in cognitive research.
Click on the media icon above to listen to the show (run time 40:42).
Stacy was a guest on the Successful Aging podcast on October 11, 2017. Successful Aging is a product of the Glendale Star. Listen as I am featured with low back pain surgical patient Ron Harrold, who stated that nothing was working for him until he began aquatic therapy. He stated his results with aquatic therapy were “life changing.” Stacy also discussed his work with the Alzheimer’s disease patient population.
Click on the icon above to listen to the show (run time 20:35).
Click the Glendale Star logo above for the article writeup about the show, that was printed on October 19, 2017.
In April of 2015, I was asked for a guest interview on The Aging Boomers podcast.
Click on the icon above to listen (run time 25:51).
Upcoming Presentations:
Stacy will be a guest speaker on the benefits of Aquatic Therapy with Alzheimer’s disease during the Fall Semester of Glencroft University for the residents of Glencroft Senior Living. Stacy will present a two part presentation (October 18th and November 11th, 2019).
Stacy will be a guest speaker at the Greater Phoenix Mensa Regional Gathering (RG) on November 30, 2019. He will be presenting on “Aquatic Therapy and Alzheimer’s Disease – A New Beginning in Research”
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Stacy was the guest speaker on the Successful Aging radio show on July 30th, 2019. Successful Aging is a product of the Glendale Star.
Stacy presented at the West Valley Coalition on Aging on “Aquatic Therapy and Alzheimer’s Disease- A New Beginning in Research” at Glencroft CCRC on May 9, 2019.
Stacy presented on “Aquatic Therapy and Alzheimer’s Research” at the Association of Activity Professionals (AAAP) Annual Conference on January 24, 2019
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Stacy was a guest speaker on the potential benefits of Aquatic Therapy with Alzheimer’s disease at the Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Support Group at the Banner/Sun Health Research Center in Sun City, Arizona. The meeting will be at 1:30 to 3:00 on June 17th.
Stacy was a keynote speaker at the 5th International Conference on Evidence-Based Aquatic Therapy in Las Vegas, 2018:
“Aquatic Therapy and End-Stage Dementia”
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Click on the icon above to visit their website.
Stacy was a keynote speaker at the International Aqua Congress in Mexico, 2016:
“Aquatic Therapy and Early and Late Stage Dementia”
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Stacy presented at the Arizona APTA Fall Conference:
“Physical /Aquatic Activity and Alzheimer’s Disease”
October 15, 2016
A.T. Stills University
Articles of Reference:
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Testimonials:
Stacy is giving international presentations on Aquatic Therapy and Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia.
“Stacy IS the ‘Aquatic Advocate!’ His passion truly is a gift! Stacy’s experience is invaluable, and his knowledge and vision is contagious!”
“Stacy presents his personal case reviews and research in such a comprehensive and thought-provoking workshop, that he gives hope- not only for those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, but also the entire demographic of us “baby boomers!”
“Not only has Stacy been a constant source of validating research as to why we are getting the results we are with our Long Term Care residents, but he has been able to show us some hands-on techniques in the pool that have given us the ability to do things with residents that we did not know were possible.”
~Carol Faye Blackman LPN, Life Enrichment Supervisor
“As I looked around the room I noticed how the Doctors and Nurse Practitioners were completely captivated for the whole presentation. Stacy is a very dynamic presenter. His passion and knowledge really shine through!”