Destination Rehab

About

Destination Rehab is a physical therapy clinic specializing in working with people with neurologic conditions. Lacking a brick and mortar location, Destination Rehab offers a variety of outdoor locations as their ‘clinic’ such as parks associated with the local Parks and Recreation system as well as local waterways and trails.

Categories Program Adaptive Sports Adults Community & Advocacy Older Adults Therapeutic

Program Details

Program Mission

The mission of Destination Rehab is to empower adults with neurologic conditions to experience outdoor adventure in beautiful Central Oregon. Our team provides an array of services including one-on-one physical therapy and community programs to promote health, independence, and community reintegration to the neurologic population. This model recognizes that a neurologic diagnosis is a lifelong condition and seeks to provide support programs to those with these diagnoses to continue with a healthy lifestyle and adventures.

We empower individuals with neurologic conditions to embrace life by building confidence, peer support, connection to nature and health resilience. We create an intentional and meaningful community, resourcing our participants through health education, rehabilitation services, wellness groups, advanced equipment and a network of support.

Contact Carol-Ann Nelson, Executive Director and Physical Therapist connect@destinationrehab.org 541-241-6807 Destination Rehab website

Staff Composition

The organization is staffed by:

four physical therapists (all board certified in neurology)
one development manager
one director of operations
one clinic and program coordinator
one part time grant writer
two part time administrative staff

Destination Rehab is supported by six board members and over 30 volunteers

On a patio, a man rides the RT300 FES cycle next to an open green space with trees and shrubbery in the background. Placed in bright sunshine, a solar panel powers the RT300 FES cycle.

A woman stands on a paddle board in a still lake, training for core stability. She is helped by a therapist standing knee-deep in the water. In the background, hills and trees frame the lake, with a brilliant blue sky overhead.

In snow-appropriate clothing and gear, The Adventure Group walks single file through a narrow trench in the snow, surrounded by snow-covered conifers. There is a patch of blue sky overhead.

Seven people stand at the end of their yoga mats, stretching in the sunshine on an outdoor patio that backs onto a green lawn bordered by trees and shrubs.

An Adventure Group participant rides a mixed recumbent/upright bicycle, smiling at the camera. She is accompanied by a smiling woman on foot, in front of wooded parkland and grasses.

A person dressed for cold weather uses a Veloped off-road walker in the snow, in front of snow-covered trees. This therapeutic experience allows the person to work on walking endurance in a natural environment.

Program Description

We are a physical therapy clinic specializing in 1:1 treatment of people with neurologic conditions. We do not have a brick and mortar clinic, but instead use a variety of outdoor locations to connect with our patients in nature. Our ‘clinic’ includes local parks associated with the Parks and Recreation system as well as local waterways and trails. During colder months, extreme heat days, or days where the smoke conditions and air quality is not good for sensitive groups, we have indoor options for therapy including local gyms and community centers.

We have special planned days throughout the year to take clients kayaking, paddleboarding, or snowshoeing. A program called Vacation with a Purpose for people who don’t live in our service area is also offered. We can customize physical therapy for patients who want to visit for a few days or a few weeks so that they can access the outdoors while achieving their mobility goals and trialing our equipment.

In addition to 1:1 treatment sessions billed through insurance, we also offer group programs that offer community, continued fitness and that are integrated into nature.

Our group programs include:

Adventure Group — Seasonal group meeting that meets once weekly week for 2-3 hours from May- October. Each week offers various outings such as hikes, kayaking, cycling, and museum visits. Each participant is eligible to bring a support person, which offers support people important opportunities to connect with one another.
PEAK Fitness and PEAK Redmond — Each program meets twice weekly for 1 hour to do two different types of group exercise like high intensity interval training, and core and mobility exercise. We have found the community-social structure aspect of PEAK Fitness is just as beneficial than the exercise itself.
Balance and Coordination (Health Workshops) — A six-week workshop designed to work on balance and coordination with others experiencing similar challenges and to also focus on other aspects of health and wellbeing.
Rock Climbing — An eight-week group for people who are interested in rock climbing. The goals are set to help people learn to climb independently (without the help of a therapist) and in group settings.
Pickleball for Parkinson’s (or just Pickleball) — Our newest newest program, is currently limited to Parkinson’s however there are plans to expand this group to all people with a neurologic diagnosis.
Walking Soccer for People with Parkinson’s is another fun, exercise forward group we provide to the community.

Future plans of Destination Rehab include:

Campus expansion — outdoor based rehab center
Adventure group that is more accessible to wheelchair users
Expansion to more rural Oregon towns of Madras and Prineville — sending a therapist for 1:1 and group programs
Increase group programs and offerings

Cost to Participate

Physical therapy appointments are covered by insurance.
Our community program offerings, have a cost but nearly 80% of participants receive grant and donor funded scholarships.
Free educational classes are offered throughout the year, which are typically grant funded.

Destination Rehab serves over 150 individuals in our physical therapy program and combined with group programs, serves over 250 individuals annually. Donations, grant funding, and sponsorships support our group wellness programs, so cost is never a barrier for participants. Our group programs include Adventure Group, PEAK Fitness, pickleball and rock-climbing. Funding from individuals and businesses also helps us purchase new equipment, keep our current equipment in great shape with regular maintenance, provide FREE community education events, cover administrative costs such as phones and computers, and keeps Van Morrison (our Adventure van) in top shape.

Recent Case Studies

Four sticks are bound together by twine, creating a frame around pink-colored leaves and pink paper hearts that say “I LOVE YOU MOM” in a child’s handwriting.

Program

Bearfoot Occupational Therapy

Bearfoot Occupational Therapy provides nature-based pediatric occupational therapy that combines expert guidance with transformational sessions to unlock the best version of a child's most authentic self.

A young child is sitting on top of a horse with the support of three women. One woman is holding the reins, smiling warmly at the camera. The other two women stand beside the horse, helping the child in the saddle. The horse is brown with a white stripe down its muzzle.

Program

Iron Horse Therapeutic Farm

Iron Horse Therapeutic Farm is a multidimensional ADA accessible farm in Northern Colorado designed to provide excellence in occupational therapy and music therapy to children and adults with disabilities. We currently offer occupational therapy utilizing equine movement, farm-based therapy, and adaptive gardening with the opportunity to provide co-treatments with music therapy.

Three people—one of them in a wheelchair—are seated in a garden area that resembles an eddy, where fresh air is gathered; rows of planters border the walkway leading up to the seating area. The trio enjoys the spring bloom and the clear, sunny sky.

Place

Hospice Garden

The Hospice Garden at Kline Galland Home is a place for residents to view nature, contemplate, and seek spiritual and emotional strength. The garden is also a place for family members—with or without their loved ones—to seek solace, strength, acceptance, and space to grieve during this challenging and critically important time.