Patients Age: 85 Years old
Admission Date: 6/17/15
Admitted From: WMC
Discharge Date: 9/25/15
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: Aprox. 3 months
Reason for Stay: Cervical spinal fracture
How did this patient hear about The Grove?
Lives in area and SW at hospital
Details of Experience:
Resident came in with a cervical neck fracture and needed a neck collar 24/7. Her mood was not good by any means- she was in a lot of pain & very frightened. She was told in the hospital she could easily fall and injure the area again and cause paralysis.
Primary cause of therapy for first few weeks was to teach her to properly maintain safety precautions and re-establish confidence. Most patients after a fall lose their sense of confidence. A large part of the therapist job is to re-establish the residents confidence in any and all areas of one’s daily activities and motions.
As time went on and her pain began to diminish, the level of confidence in herself and staff increased to the point where she was able to progress with basic skills: getting in/out of bed and the ability to walk short distances without fear of falling. Prior to falling, patient already had poor balance and had de-conditioned due to bad winter this past year (staying mostly indoors).
As her overall strength & endurance increased we were able to make significant improvement in her balance. This caused her to participate in more recreational programs offered at The Grove and to be able to raise her level of self care such as brushing her teeth & hair, etc. As the weather started getting warmer she progressed enough to be able to walk out doors with her therapists. At first she was very nervous but as time went on she was able to increase her confidence and ability to walk longer distances. Sometimes even up to 15 minutes! This was something she hadn’t been able to do in a long time. All of this was in preparation to be eventually discharged back home.
She did so well that various family members who saw her walking outdoors commented that she was looking better than she had prior to the fall that put her in the hospital.
On her final appointment with her neurologist she was very pleased with the progress she had made, especially her walking & balance ability. The doctor discontinued the need for the neck brace and told her she can resume all her regular activities again.
She and her family were very pleased with the level of care, nursing and rehabilitation she received at The Grove.