Is there the potential for joint replacement surgery in your future? If so, Lynne Luckenbill COTA/L, the facility rehab coordinator at Broad Mountain Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Frackville, may be able to help.

She is conducting meetings for people facing knee or hip replacement surgery. These meetings, she said, educate people on all the different aspects of the surgery. Often, people have joint pain and they want it resolved. They need to know the issues ahead of time.

Luckenbill has received very positive feedback about her meetings and the materials she provides. She lets attendees know what to expect so that they can be prepared ahead of time. They can put together a more effective plan of recovery because they understand the process.

Not only does Luckenbill coordinate these meetings, she also speaks to senior groups about fall prevention and home safety. She wants people to know the warning signs of falls and how to prevent them from happening.

While knee surgery is often an elective procedure, hip surgery, Luckenbill explains, is usually the result of a fall.

She said that most falls occur in the bathroom. Make sure there is non skid material in the tub and grab bars, she advises. Throw rugs can also be a danger. But, she added, if you must have them, make sure they are secured.

Luckenbill explained, "If people have a choice on elective surgery, it's best to do as much preplanning as possible. We can help with that. The Broad Mountain staff treat people holistically. They are more than just their injury or diagnosis,"she said. She added, “We use our resident’s hopes in determining our goals.

For more information on the meetings or home safety, or for a tour of Broad Mountain, contact Luckenbill or Denise Kufro in admissions at (570) 874-0696.

Broad Mountain Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is located at 500 W. Laurel St. in Frackville.