Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital Offering Harmonica Program for Better Breathing

ZEELAND, MI – September 12, 2017 – Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital is pleased to offer the award-winning Harmonica Program for Better Breathing beginning Wednesday, September 20. This is the fifth year the hospital is offering the Harmonica Program for Better Breathing to the community.

The Harmonica Program for Better Breathing was honored by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) as a winner of the 2015 Ludwig Community Benefit Award. This collaboration, sponsored in part by the Laurels of Hudsonville, includes two volunteer harmonica instructors, a coordinator and a licensed respiratory therapist, provides a fun and welcoming environment.

Playing the harmonica mimics two therapeutic breathing exercises that respiratory therapists use: pursed lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing. Supporting the MHA’s community health improvement platform by providing assistance to people with a chronic, incurable disease, quality-of-life questionnaires are used before and after participation in the program to measure outcomes. Results indicate that, following the program, 67 percent of participants are less limited in their daily activities and are coughing less, and 56 percent indicate they are sleeping better and have more energy. The program allows people to improve their lung function, enjoy a social outlet with others facing similar health issues, and receive education about managing their condition.

The five-week program runs September 20 to October 18 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $15 for new participants or $5 for participating participants that have the harmonica and booklet. For more information or to register, call 616.748.2834 or visit spectrumhealth.org/zeeland.

People are at the heart of everything we do, and the inspiration for our legacy of outstanding outcomes, innovation, strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides health care and coverage with an exceptional team of 60,000+ dedicated people—including more than 11,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 15,000 nurses providing care and services in 21 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities—and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving more than 1.3 million members. Through experience and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness. For more information, visit corewellhealth.org.

Contact:
Alexis Bolo Neal
Senior Communications Specialist
Email: alexis.boloneal@corewellhealth.org