Patients Age: 91
Admission Date: 11/24/2017
Admitted From: White Plains Hospital
Discharge Date: 12/22/2017
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: Four Weeks
Reason for Stay: Dorsalgia, Muscle Weakness and Spinal Stenosis.

Details of Experience:

On November 21st Mr. T.’s lower back pain became intolerable and brought himself to the White Plains Hospital emergency room. Mr. T. has a diagnosis of spinal stenosis and dorsalgia, a condition which is causing him a lot of lower back pain, numbness to his legs and severe limitation in ambulating. The medical team at the hospital and Mr. T. concluded that surgery would not be in his best interest and decided on a pain management and rehab treatment. When the hospital helped reduce his back pain to a tolerable level, they highly recommended he go to inpatient therapy. Going back home was not a safe option in the condition he was in.

When arriving at The Grove on a late Friday morning, Mr. T. was not shy of his intentions and feelings, “I’m here to get stronger and go home.” The staff helped him settle in and reassured him that with that conviction and courage, going home will happen sooner than later. Within a few hours, Mr. T.’s personality and optimism started to shine. He was very warm and outgoing with all the staff and greatly appreciated the services offered. Although he preferred minimal interaction with other residents, he wasn’t alone or lonely. He responded favorably to the staff’s friendship and had a close relationship with a number of his nurses, and especially, his therapists.

Mr. Higgins had a very positive and happy spirit and the therapist greatly enjoyed working with him.
When first arriving, he was only able to walk thirty feet and required much contact support: he required others to support him while walking. Not uncommon, but the first week, minimum progress was earned.

Due to his condition, his muscles were very weak and the pain in his back severely limited his mobility and balance. First, we needed to help reduce the pain by muscle building and stretching. Once sufficient strength was acquired his therapy sessions were focused on functional skill and ambulation. We are proud to say that in less than a month, Mr. Higgins was able to return home safely. He was able to walk with a walker without the assistance of others and gained the strength and functional skills to enjoy and engage in activities that were once considered questionable. His positive nature was noticeably more expressed on the morning he was picked up by his son in-law, and The Grove is forever a little brighter by his smile.