This post is based on an article originally written by Ann Wishart and published in the Geauga County Maple Leaf on June 19, 2025. The original article, titled “Seniors Benefit from Ohman’s Pathways to Care,” highlights the Ohman Family Living facility’s new initiatives to support seniors with neurological conditions.
For 60 years, Ohman Family Living at Holly has cared for seniors with a variety of debilitating neurological diseases, but the assisted living and memory care facility in Newbury Township is not resting on its laurels. Instead, the third generation of Geauga County’s Ohman family is introducing three programs to help seniors continue to function as they age in the facility formerly known as Holly Hill.
Pedaling for Parkinson’s
Under the umbrella Pathways to Care, the Ohman family introduced a Pedaling for Parkinson’s program, said Joshua Wallace. Joshua, part of the OFL executive leadership team and husband of Kristin Ohman Wallace, explained the systems Holly has instituted at 10190 Fairmount Road during a recent interview.
The programs for Holly residents and those living in the community harken back to Holly’s origins. George Ohman Jr., co-president at OFL, recalled his father and mother, George Sr. and Joan, founded Holly Hill to care for a family member with multiple sclerosis. By 1965, they had eight other residents at the property and, as the popularity of the facility grew, it served several Ohman family members with neurological diseases, George said.
“The second generation has family members with Parkinson’s disease. The Ohmans have always desired to extend to others with like circumstances what they have learned, to improve the quality of life for people with PD,” Joshua said.
That is why the family, upon learning about the benefits of Pedaling for Parkinson’s for people living with the disease, sought out the program created by Dr. Jay Alberts at the Cleveland Clinic. The clinic outfitted a room at Holly with seven stationary bikes — six for participants and one for the monitor, Joshua said.
The program provides people with Parkinson’s a chance to reduce their global motor symptoms, with an average improvement of about 35%, according to a flier explaining the program.
“With early identification of neurological symptoms, the cycling program provides a regimen for participants to improve the overall quality of life and curb their downward decline,” Joshua said.
Dawn Damante, director of market relations for OFL based in Middlefield Village, said the classes are engaging, the environment friendly and regulars have created an informal support group.
“One lady has pedaled more than 1,000 miles in about two years. She comes in three times a week and it has helped her significantly,” Damante said, noting the OFL website contains testimony by a client about the benefits of the program.
Individuals recently diagnosed with PD, or those with early onset of pre-Parkinsonian symptoms, are encouraged to contact Damante at 440-632-3653 and sign up, she said. Pedaling for Parkinson’s classes are held every day and open biking can be arranged in the afternoons.
Developed by a non-profit organization, the program is not a cure, but it helps relieve symptoms, improves fitness and helps individuals maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, according to the brochure.
Adult Day Care Solution
Spouses or adult children are often challenged by the demands of taking care of seniors with neurological diseases. Aware of the need for respite for the families, OFL at Holly welcomes individuals with Alzheimer’s disease into a supervised, homelike setting at The Cottage, just down the hill from OFL at Holly.
“The Cottage was my wife’s childhood home,” Joshua said during a tour through the pleasant, spacious, single-story building. “We provide comfort, relaxation and engagement for our clients.”
When the care provider at home has to be away during the day or needs respite, the staff at The Cottage offers help in a lovely setting, George said. Besides enjoying a continental breakfast and lunch, individuals staying a full day can take a virtual tour or armchair travel to distant places.
“I think they ‘went’ to Ireland and Scotland recently,” George said, adding they also watch sporting events on the television. “These are things that stimulate them during the day,” he said.
Cognitive games and a book reading club occupy those who are not ready for assisted living or medical care, George said. The video clip on the website introduces Jo Slunski, the adult day care program director, explaining individuals with early onset neurological diseases can enjoy The Cottage from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Activities include exercise classes, cooking, a detached three-seasons room where clients can get some fresh air and sun, and a space for napping when needed, Slunski said.
Fall Study Participants Sought
OFL at Holly is also partnering with Alberts’ lab at the Cleveland Clinic in a study to improve the prediction of fall risk among individuals age 55 and up, Joshua said. A call for 200 volunteers for the study was issued by Cleveland Clinic, he said.
“The purpose of this study is to characterize mobility patterns in older adults and to evaluate mobility assessments for their ability to predict fall risk in adults. Participants will be asked to attend a one-hour study visit to provide demographic information and complete balance, cognitive and walking assessments. Participants will also maintain a falls diary for 12 months. You must be 62 or older, able to walk independently or with a cane, be able to climb three steps, and can’t have dementia or a neurological disease such as Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis or a history of stroke. You will receive study stipends for participation. You will not receive individual fall risk data.”
“Falls are one of the leading causes for hospitalizations,” Joshua said. “Its benefit is, if we can identify potential risk factors, we can hopefully avoid a major injury or a hospitalization. Nobody wants to get the phone call that mom or dad has fallen and is in hospital.”
The safe-gait equipment uses infrared sensors to analyze the participants’ speed and degree of unsteadiness and determine a person’s likelihood of falling so safety measures can be taken, Joshua said.
“What a great opportunity to be on the cutting edge of technology,” he said. “It’s a simple and practical way to enhance people’s quality of life.”
Anyone interested in participating in the study may contact MacKenzie Dunlap at 216-216-3949 or at Dunlapm4@ccf.org.