Residential Home Health Expert Discusses Advanced Speech Therapy Technology on Television Show

Speech Language Pathologist Kathleen McAvoy of Grosse Pointe Farms to be featured on "In a Heartbeat"

Madison Heights, Mich. (February 3, 2009) This week on WMTV Channel 5s In a Heartbeat television program, Grosse Pointe Farms resident and Speech Language Pathologist Kathleen McAvoy will discuss how speech technology known as alternative augmentative communication (AAC) devices can benefit fellow Metro Detroiters. The program is available to Comcast customers throughout the Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods areas. It will air three times daily until the final showing at 8 a.m. Monday, February 9, 2009.

One of the new technology features discussed is the EyeMax, a creation of Dynavox Technologies that allows an AAC device user to access the device solely through eye movement. Demonstrating use of an AAC device on In a Heartbeat will be Jana Newton, an 18-year-old student at the University of Michigan who received her AAC device through a collaboration between Residential Home Health, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Dynavox Technologies.

Joining McAvoy and Newton on In a Heartbeat will be Dynavox Technologies representative Kelly Petri. Liz Aiken hosts the program.

McAvoy is an employee of Madison Heights-based home care provider Residential Home Health, which serves patients in more than 30 Michigan counties. She and fellow home health care professionals are trained in numerous advanced in-home health technology solutions offered by Residential Home Health to improve the quality of life and increase independence for chronically ill individuals.

"In a Heartbeat" plans to feature other Residential Home Health physical and occupational therapists in future episodes. Topics may include progressive fall prevention technology and protocols.

About Residential Home Health

Residential Home Health is a Madison Heights, Mich.-based provider of skilled intermittent care in 32 Michigan counties. The company is ranked among the top home health care firms nationally in helping Medicare seniors improve their quality of life and independence at home. Residential Home Healths 450 licensed professionals and other employees served approximately 5,000 chronically ill patients in their homes in 2008. For information, visit www.residentialhomehealth.com or call 866.902.4000.