Richard, 80 years young, a new man in 2 weeks
Doug, 82 years young, Betty, 94 years young & Norma, 89 years young - Like It!
Pauline, 86 years young, won't quit
Jan, 80 years young, stands straight
Lori had a stroke 3 years ago
Ray is 97 years young
Mary Ann predicts S3 will help a lot of people
Barbara had a stroke
Janet is an avid S3 user and instructor
Wellness
“I have had several residents approach me hoping we were going to be keeping (S3). They have expressed that they feel more confident, stronger and more independent. They love that they are able to work out on their own and hold daily resident-led classes. I personally saw a resident who always walked assisted by pushing her wheelchair for fear of falling again get up after a workout session and walk confidently to the opposite side of the room and back. Thank you so much for allowing us to trial (S3), it’s so wonderful to see our residents excited about exercise, it has truly increased their quality of life.”
Stacey Terry, RN“I’ve definitely seen improvement. Residents have more confidence, and we feel more secure working with them when they have (S3). S3 is great for balance.”
Christine“I love the balance program. The residents feel more confident when they exercise and they seem to want to exercise more. They love doing the program and they’re excited about it. It’s easy for them, so it makes it easy for me.”
Mindi Cooper“The structure of the S3 Balance device allows residents to stand fully upright, unlike a walker.”
Mary Ruebesam“We have been using S3 for over 2 months now and it has made a major difference in the residents’ balance programs! Jan, one of our “higher risk for falling” residents, has been using S3 consistently and doing the outlined S3 programs. Since move-in, Jan’s balance has been declining to the point where she could not stand on her own without assistance for even 5 seconds. Since she has been consistently using S3, her balance has improved so much that now she can stand a solid 5 minutes! Her strength has improved remarkably, and she feels very safe using S3 as opposed to the straight bar provided in our room. Thank you Colin for introducing our residents to S3! It has made a difference here.”
Diana Johnson“We always want our residents to be stronger and more secure on their feet. Increased stability and mobility positively affect their overall quality of life and reduce the likelihood of falling. But, we needed a means through which our residents could attain to a higher level of fitness than we were providing and that they were willing to invest time in. The culture needed changing.
Along came Colin Hoobler and Ann Horinouchi, who took time to introduce us to S3 Balance.
Safe Stable Support is an apt description of the process and the device they use to facilitate exercise. It is a secure approach for older adults to independently perform dynamic balance and strengthening exercises from a standing position. Another advantage is that the device and the exercises accommodate users with a wide range of physical abilities.
Our resident response has exceeded anything we have ever done with fitness because each person realizes they can make consistent incremental progress without being compared to another.
In addition to being extremely knowledgeable, professional, and down to earth, Colin and Ann are patient and kind with our residents. They have helped us greatly by fine-tuning posture and form so that we perform exercises properly.
I am most pleased to recommend Colin Hoobler and Ann Horinouchi of S3 Balance.”
Dave Beitler“It is wonderful to see the residents, and so many of them, engaged and excited about this new equipment and an option for them to improve their strength, stability and mobility. They are telling me daily how excited they are and how they are noticing a difference in just a few sessions.”
Melinda Converse“I have been implementing the S3 devices for a few months now in both of my communities and what an amazing tool to have. The excitement from my resident’s to get to utilize a piece of equipment that will safely help them increase their strength and balance is very rewarding. It has not only been a great class to add on top of our Celebrations Wellness Program, but it has become a key factor in my personal training. I have residents in wheelchairs standing up and doing squats, residents bringing their friends to class because they talk so highly of it, and classes that fill up quickly. I have seen improvements in strength and balance in these past few months and love implementing them into my classes. I highly recommend using these devices. “
Allison Sprecher“Upon receiving the S3 balance machine I was slightly surprised with my lack of excitement for this basic looking device. However, I was quick to change my perspective once I started exploring the possibilities. Adding the S3s to the Parkinson’s class brought an instant improvement through amplified physical capabilities and social inclusion. The S3 machines also provided increased exercise application in physical therapy where a second set of parallel bars was not appropriate for the space. Next came skilled nursing with implementation in ADLs and in-room exercise programs. Onsite personal trainers quickly found ways to advance the S3s by incorporating balance pads, step boxes, resistance bands and other tools. The S3 has a wide range of possibilities only limited by creativity and willingness. The S3 machines have two areas for improvement. I would like to see a collapsible device for improved storage and device transfer. The second would be adjustability with device height and width ranges to better fit different body types. All and all I am very pleased with the device and thrilled to see the patient benefit first hand.”
Dean MacInnis“We have been utilizing S3 Balance for 4 months and have seen significant improvement in our resident’s stability. They are such a great asset to both people that can ambulate independently as well as those who use wheelchairs/walkers. We have seen a improvement in strength in the residents who depend on wheelchairs to ambulate as well as those who are independent. They also look forward to the exercises everyday.”
Jacqueline Wargnier“Residents seem grateful to us for implementing S3 Balance. They seem happy to come over and happy to enjoy it. Some residents were fairly stable coming to the class but many were unstable, as they needed to have their eyes open with hands lightly touching and now all except for the most recent, all are exercising with eyes closed even with the (Tightrope exercise) which is one of the harder ones, they’re wobbling but what I would call a slight wobble as opposed to a moderate or extreme wobble (i.e., where they would tip sideways 6 inches or more and hold onto the railing to bring themselves up and then do that rapidly 2 or 3 times) and many were doing that. We have more residents doing the program now than at the beginning and we only have 4 devices, so when more people come at a time we stagger it so it all works out.”
Benn C“I am an RN, the Health Services Director at the Hearthstone at Murrayhill Retirement Community. I have been a nurse for 35 years, 22 of which working in retirement communities. The biggest struggle has been to prevent falls related to balance issues, whether caused by disease or just general weakness.
S3 Balance was introduced to us by Colin, a physical therapist passionate about balance and fall prevention. At first I was skeptical, but after a four-week trial the results proved me wrong. Our residents’ balance improved tremendously, in one case by over 400%. We were so impressed with the results that we decided to invest in our residents’ well-being and bought four devices.”
Brigita Nikolov, RN“I have been using S3 Balance with my residents daily for a little over a month. The amount of confidence and improvement in balance has been amazing. I highly recommend S3 balance as part of any retirement communities exercise program.”
Tauna Surel“S3 Balance is the best thing to happen to Village at Keizer Ridge for our residents who’ve been having falls and/or are unsteady on their feet. We’ve seen measurable results and we’re seeing residents’ enthusiasm for participating every day with the equipment. The problem I have is push back from staff who’s supposed to supposed to be leading the program, and we have discussed at stand-up every morning, stating that this is a win-win: the residents get stronger, can do more things for themselves safely, which cuts down on staff time, which enables them to get on to the next resident… it’s a win-win. There’s an investment in the beginning, there has to be passionate involvement by the staff, but when you get through the initial investment period, it’s winning for everybody… not only the residents, but also the staff. The overall impression of residents has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic.”
Nancy Steer-Crist“The biggest benefit that I’ve found of the S3 Balance program is the reduction in fall risk and the strengthening of the leg muscles. People coming in have problems falling at their house and they come in here and do this exercise program and they feel more comfortable and more confident. We’ve had a resident go from a walker to a cane and she’s really excited about that. It’s just a great program that offers a lot of great things.”
Rob“We are all aware of how important exercise and strengthening is for our residents. That being said, it is very difficult to take memory care residents to gyms, pools or outdoor exercise areas. It is also difficult to have large, bulky exercise equipment in our community that can be unsafe for residents to utilize and a huge hazard to store.
I was excited to try something new that the residents feel safe doing and has had noticeable benefits in their strength, balance and endurance. It takes up very little space and has been easy for our staff to move into place when we are using it. The residents have a stable frame to perform their exercises and feel successful when performing the exercise program. They look forward to participating in the exercise group and are learning the routines, they are even able to coach one another. It’s a pretty amazing thing to see residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia learning and improving!”
Jody Burton“Our residents have been doing the S3 Balance Class for 3 months now. I have seen great improvement both during the class as well as in their daily living.
During the class the residents really like working together as well as encouraging one another. Residents in both neighborhoods have become good friends based on their interactions during this class. It is very apparent which residents have been participating from the beginning. Their stance is stronger, and their muscle has memory kicked in. We are at the point where I, as the instructor, do not even have to tell them what exercise is next! This is a prime example of the fact that residents with dementia are still able to learn. We are stimulating their procedural memory. We have now added new exercises because the ones we have been doing are too easy for them. We even have the more experienced residents assist in leading the class to direct the beginners. This allows them to see their own peers doing the exercise and they become more confident and believe that they can do it themselves.”
Charon Laput-Johnson“The S3 Balance program has been so beneficial to the residents in our community. Not only have I seen improvements with the exercises in class, but also just in their day to day activities. This class has become something that our residents look forward to every morning. They enjoy that the class has simple instruction and the apparatus makes them feel safe while attempting some of the exercises. The residents that participate in the class enjoy the strength they feel afterwards and are excited when we introduce new exercises. While instructing the joy and confidence from our residents is apparent in their smiling faces!”
Tiana Cabrera“Residents enjoy having a new balance tool. It makes people feel safe while improving their balance skills. It has been a great addition in our fitness center.”
Corrina Stellflug“The S3 is an unparalleled apparatus to safely work with clients who need balance training. I use it with a 90-year old cognitively impaired woman who has had dual hip replacements and we both feel completely safe and secure, as opposed to having to rely on multiple chairs. There is no comparison. The S3 also provides an opportunity to safely stretch various muscle groups. I highly recommend it.”
Meg BrittonTherapy
“The S3 is a versatile and stable device for transfer training and dynamic standing balance training that is portable and easy to use. The therapists feel more confident stepping away from patients in the standing position due to the stability and wrap-around shape of the device which allows for greater treatment options. The patients also gain a sense of confidence with the device and report a reduction in their fear of falling.”
Janet M., PT“I’ve found the S3 Balance useful, and have used it in the following ways:
I have used it for sit to stand transfer training in the room, which is particularly useful when the room is a preferable treatment location, such as when the patient needs low stimulation or may need quick access to bed or bathroom. The variety of hand techniques that can be used, such as pulling from the horizontal bar, has allowed for quicker progress with transfer and standing tasks.
I’ve used it for balance training in either the gym or the patient’s room. The device provides an easy way to give patients the support they need in order to progress balance challenges.”
“The S3 frame has been most helpful with allowing improved ability to stand and work on pre-gait/weight shifting exercises designed to assist with progression to dynamic functional activities and gait. I have found that patients who have difficulty standing and taking steps due to center of balance and weakness issues benefit the most. The frame is safe to use and people feel comfortable in it.”
Cindy, PT“I really love the S3 for bedside sit to stand and stand for grooming tasks and transfer training and for stand level bilateral upper extremity exercise as it provides a stability they may not have otherwise. I wish it were either smaller or foldable to reduce space and to move easier ( difficult to get to some areas of the building and takes precious time to move affecting productivity) ”
Marie H, OTA/L“I’ve been using the S3 for balance challenges, such as those provided on the packet attached to it. Several patients who have difficulty with sit-to-stand I’ve also been using it so they can use more of a “pulling” method to stand. I haven’t been moving them into rooms so transport hasn’t been a real issue for me. Moving them around the gym is easy for the most part. My main difficulty with using them is with heavier transfers or with patients who need a knee block, as the front bar gets in my way.”
Sammie L, PT“Patients feel more comfortable trying challenging balance activities as do I as a therapist. I challenge patients more often and to a greater degree with S3.”
Mandy, PTA“Prior to having you come in and my boss recommending we try the S3 device I was hesitant because I didn’t want it to be a device that we were only able to use on a specific type of client or that we would get it, use it a few times, and then put it off to the side. However, I think it speaks volumes about your product that during the 30-day trial we used it daily and my therapists were insistent that they didn’t want to give it up.
I would say that I was impressed with the exercises and handouts you provided with the S3 balance tool. Observing my therapists, I think the most excitement and a really effective use of the device came with helping patients stand at the edge of the bed. Many times progression has been limited with bariatric residents and getting them to stand from their bed. This tool was easy to move so we could take it into a patient’s room to help with the progression of sit to stand transfers.
When working with patients in the therapy gym, the therapists and patients were willing to try harder more complex balance tasks with patients because both the patient and the therapist felt safe with the support of the S3 Balance device around.
I like to think of the machine as more ergonomic portable parallel bars. If treating a patient, I would use the S3 device over parallel bars for almost every activity. It really has so many uses and honestly when it comes to many long-term care settings, therapy departments have limited room and limited budgets, it is well worth the cost because of how versatile it is.”
OTR/L, CLT“S3 Balance is a portable facilitative, gradable safety environment that allows for a greater range of gradable functionality improvement. I use it and a chair to simulate the bathroom environment, as it allows me to provide all the safety I want while allowing the patient to practice the coordinated movements needed to transfer to and from the toilet. I also use S3 Balance to improve balance aspects for improving lower body dressing functions and bathroom hygiene. Finally, I am also working on vestibular system improvement approaches using S3 Balance.”
COTA“S3 Balance is helpful to use with patients when working on standing or sitting balance because it is very sturdy, making patients feel more secure. However, I believe patients should lean on the device to push themselves up as opposed to pull themselves up.”
OTR/L“Able to complete higher-level activities with patients who have fear of falling while assisting others with transfer difficulties, i.e., less assistance from therapist. Patients told me they enjoyed using S3 Balance, feeling they could to more things than they thought they could. Patients who are a 2-person transfer can use this device with 1 therapist.”
PTA“Best application for this facility is the unit’s portability for use in rooms and use for bariatric patients/wheelchairs!”
PT“S3 Balance increased patients’ confidence during balance activities”
Staff Therapist“I love that I can take it to patient rooms!!”
Staff Therapist“Great for providing extra support for bariatric patients. Easy transport to rooms.”
PTUsers
“I think (S3) is wonderful. I find that I’m stronger in many ways over the last month. But in the last 2 weeks when I’ve been using S3 at least three times per week and sometimes more often, I find that I have more stability and better balance. Thank you!”
Pat“Easy to use. Because of it, I’m starting to use my walker in my room for the first time in a long time.”
Terry G“Solid, I felt very secure while using it.”
Randy W“I was rather skeptical of this program at first, but since I’ve been doing it I’ve actually seen a difference in my balance and strength, so I really want to continue on with it because it really hasn’t been that long since we’ve been doing it and so I want to see how far I can go. But it’s been great and I can see the difference in my husband, as he was really having some difficulty maintaining his balance and he actually started using his walker. But I can see him improving already because of this program. It’s great and I’m loving it!”
Kathy“I’ve had Parkinson’s for 10 years. My left leg is weak, I can walk with a cane but not very far so I come in and do the S3 balancing exercises because I have fallen, so the stronger I can get, and anything that I can do seems to be helping because it challenges me to not hang on. Sometimes I go through it a couple times a day and it seems to be making me stronger because when my kids see me, they say ‘You’re walking better dad!’ so that’s the good news.”
Ray“At first I didn’t think I’d get any use out of the machine but once I started using it I realized that I needed it more than ever. My legs got stronger and I’m walking better and more upright.”
Chuck“In my opinion, Benn has gone the extra step and extra mile to help us as individuals. The S3 Balance class takes time to make a difference. You can’t expect it overnight. I haven’t noticed too much of a change yet, but my balance also hasn’t diminished which is a plus. I still have balance problems, but not to the extent it was but I’m extra careful because I’m afraid of falling.”
Frank“S3 Balance is helpful for balance, that’s for sure. It also helps the core get stronger. When I’m doing the class, I can feel it strengthening my legs. I also am forced to concentrate more, which helps my balance. I feel safe doing the classes. Benn does a good job teaching the classes. I feel the classes are necessary because so many residents have falls.”
Helen“S3 Balance helps me to stand up easier and smoother, which can be very difficult being a bariatric patient.”
Kerry H“I have really been helped with my balance! I feel much more confident in walking. I still use my walker but moving around my apt without using it.”
Barbara K“I like being challenged”
Audrey O“I am 98 right now, very close 99. I’ve liked the class all around”
Zel M