Patients Age: 85
Admission Date: 5/24/16
Admitted From: Phelps
Discharge Date: 8/31/16
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: 3 months
Reason for Stay: General Weakness/Deconditioning

Details of Experience:

Resident arrived to the Grove with a primary diagnosis of generalized muscle weakness. He had secondary diagnosis including histories of repeated falls, abdominal pain, cellulites, and spinal stenosis. He was in visible pain, and was itching to be back to his independent self again.

The welcoming team at The Grove did their upmost to make him feel safe, comfortable and secure.nThe concierge met him at the entrance, bringing him up to his room with a warm confident smile. He then proceeded to guide the resident through the admission process; personally introducing him to the team and all staff that will have direct interaction with him on a daily basis on his road to recovery. Things were going well: resident was taking to his therapy plan, eating all meals and participating in recreational programs between rehab appointments.

This is when the resident received tough news: a close family member of his passed. It was devastating for the resident to get this news whilst being a resident of a SNF, and feeling so disconnected. The team at The Grove accommodated resident with an out-pass to allow him to go to the burial ceremony with his family. Upon returning, the staff was on high alert, understanding the need to give this resident extra special TLC and care with extra compassion. We didn’t want him to fall behind in his personal wellness journey, although we did understand he was going through a tough time. The recreational department went above and beyond to ensure the resident’s emotional needs were met and felt like a part of our family while with us.

Just as things were starting to look positive, yet another piece of hard news came through: yet another close family member had passed away.
Again, The Staff at the Grove went above and beyond to ensure resident has the proper tools to get to the memorial and burial ceremony. Special car transfer classes were given to resident and his family members that were planning on bringing him to the programs. Again, the staff truly turned the TLC meter up, visiting resident multiple times a day to make sure he was okay. Thankfully, a couple of months later, the resident left The Grove back home, with tears of appreciation in his eyes and a hopeful glint in his eye as he looks to his now-brighter- future, bringing with him the tools he gained while at The Grove.

Patients Age: 67
Admission Date: 3/18/16
Admitted From: WMC
Discharge Date: 5/31/16
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: 2 months
Reason for Stay: Rehab- therapy

Details of Experience:

Resident arrived to The Grove with a host of medical issues ranging from balance and mobility challenges to respiratory based diagnosis. Resident was clearly a fall risk and had an elevated blood pressure that hindered event the slightest rehab sessions. Within 2 months, our team worked with resident slowly and confidently, bringing her up to par with a safe discharge!

It was definitely a team effort. Before each therapy session- both Physical and Occupational- our therapists had to check with the charge nurse to see resident’s blood pressure to ensure all is safe before getting the green light for the session. Our MD had to delicately plan a course of correct meds to fit resident’s lifestyle and enable her to be at The Grove rehabilitating correctly. Resident’s vitals and blood pressure were monitored frequently and the team made extra efforts to show the resident how much we care for her well being. Round the clock rounds from the concierge and social workers provided resident and her family with emotional support and all amenities available to her, so she can be as comfortable as possible while with us.

Therapeutic Recreational activities were offered and accepted by the resident, and by participating, we were able to give her the social support to help her enjoy her stay to the fullest. This resident is going home with a smile and the tools necessary to be safe and enjoy all that life has to offer. Great job team!

Patients Age: 76
Admission Date: 1/26/16
Admitted From: WMC
Discharge Date: 4/29/16
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: 3 months
Reason for Stay: Knee replacement

Details of Experience:
Resident arrived in somber spirits. She was on vacation visiting family in the Westchester area, and fell. Not only did she need to have a knee replacement procedure, and ruined her vacation, but now she required a long stay at a sub-acute rehab center and needed to learn how to walk again.
Needless to say Team Grove was up for the challenge!

The rehab team introduced themselves, got her on program, and got to work. Within 2 weeks, her therapists had a good handle on her particular case and mapped out a strong plan of action to get her on her feet and walking with minimal assistance again. The resident did her part by working hard day in and day out- both in PT and OT. Although in pain, she was treated with respect and love, creating a strong bond with not only her therapists, nurse and CNA’s, but with other therapists and Grove staff as well! She made quite a name for herself on our Short term sub-acute unit, becoming a “big sister” like figure to other residents, and always looking out for them. She liked to focus on the residents who had no real family coming to see them- making them feel loved and appreciated.

We safely discharged this resident on April 29th 2016 back home, and could not be prouder of our Rehab team for their performance. We would like to take a moment to thank the resident herself though, and thank her for being so sweet, caring and considerate to the other residents on the unit, as well as her roommate, who had anxiety issues and was helped immensely by this resident’s presence.

Patients Age: 48
Admission Date: 11/6/13
Admitted From: Somers Manner Nursing Home
Discharge Date: 3/31/16
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: Approximately 3 years
Reason for Stay: Ongoing Rehabilitation, skilled nursing needs and long term placement
How did this patient hear about the Grove?

Details of Experience:
Resident arrived to The Grove aprox 3 years ago as a transfer from a different facility. She was there due to having a diagnosis of COPD and arrived to us severely reconditioned. Our therapists immediately put her on our rehab program to build up her strength and prepare her to go home.

Unfortunately, due to the overall length of her hospital and rehab centers stays, this residents public housing provided apartment was taken away from her. At the time, her family was unable to provide a safe home discharge for her, so once she was brought up to her prior level of function, this resident transitioned from being a short term resident to a long term resident.

Along with COPD, over the next few years, she had multiple hospital stays and various diagnoses’s requiring the Grove to provide her with the necessary skilled care, along with an ongoing Rehab program.

The resident, being young and having many interests and hobbies, would get very involved in recreational programs, as well as even volunteering her time and creativity to assist in creating new programs and running current activities. Needless to say, she had a thirst for more than life at The Grove.

Abe,Concierge/Assistant Admin made it his mission to get this resident to some supportive, safe discharge, so she can make a life for herself out of The Grove. Her quality of life would be greatly improved by a discharge back to the community and the entire interdisciplinary team agreed that it would be the most positive plan of action for her future.
After lengthy discussions with members of her family, Abe was successful in coordinating with one of the resident’s sisters and setting a tentative discharge date!

With our eye on the prize, Team Grove sprung into action. The nursing departments focused on Medical education and training the resident to be able to self medicate and take care of certain medical treatments she is still currently prescribed. Her PT and OT ramped up her therapy sessions, focusing on range of mobility, ambulation, balance coordination, and re-integrating her association with all activities of daily life in a safe manner. The social worker and discharge planner coordinated all aspects of her homecare, visiting nurse services, as well as assisting in helping the resident get set up with social services outside of The Grove.

The concierge worked as a liaison between the resident and all other departments, ensuring all messages and requests were met. All in all, this was a huge success for Team Grove- but even more so for this resident. She was very thankful to all members of the team on her way out and is ready to tackle life in the community, once again.

Patients Age: 72
Admission Date: 12/2/15
Admitted From: Danbury Hospital
Discharge Date: To be determined
Discharged To: Anticipated Home
Length of Stay: Remains at The Grove
Reason for Stay: Rehabilitation
How did this patient hear about Grove Center?
SW at Danbury

Details of Experience:

Patient was admitted to The Grove in early December, 2015 on a regular consistency diet with apparent difficulties swallowing not only regular, but all diet consistencies, as well as his own saliva. This SLP recommended a FEES evaluation which determined a serious pharyngeal dysphagia with silent aspiration for all diet consistencies as well as his own saliva. There was an immediate order for restriction from oral feeding with a recommendation for a feeding tube. Within a few days he was transferred to the hospital for Peg tube insertion.

Patient returned to the facility at the end of December with a feeding tube in place and without any oral feeding. At the time of readmission the patient had to be orally suctioned in order to avoid aspirating on his own saliva. Dysphagia therapy commenced immediately using a variety of exercises and techniques to facilitate an effective swallow as well as a productive cough to manage secretions.
After approximately 6 weeks of therapy, Patient was able to manage his own saliva and demonstrate the ability to swallow after trials with trace amounts of puree desserts. Thus, the FEES test was rescheduled. The results were outstanding! The Patient passed the test and has begun to receive small amounts of puree dessert and honey thick liquids.

Patient, family, SLP and all staff were thrilled. We were all crying that day! These kinds of successes remind me of why I love my work!

Phyllis Ayman, MS/SLP,

The Grove at Valhalla

Patients Age: 47
Admission Date: 12/31/16
Admitted From: White Plains Hospital
Discharged Date: 1/28/16
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: 1 Month
Reason for Stay: Rehab
How did this patient hear about The Grove? SW at hospital

Details of Experience:

Resident came to us from WPH. He is a young gentleman and was extremely unhappy about being at The Grove-or any SNF- for rehab. He was met by all departments and was given a strong dosage of Grove hospitality. The concierge spent hours with him trying to make him feel comfortable and adjust to his new environment.

The rehab team did an excellent job with the new resident. From Evals on day 1 to discharge on the last day, they were extremely kind, helpful and professional. The nursing department as well, went above and beyond for this young resident to ensure his comfort and complete satisfaction while with us.

What I would like to highlight in this case study, though, isn’t regarding the actual care he received- the resident gave a long, detailed testimonial on that. What I wanted to base this case study on is what went on behind the scenes for this resident.

Upon admissions, the nurse was asked by the resident for a certain narcotic for pain that wasn’t on the discharge orders from the hospital. The miscommunication was that the narcotic he had a standing order for was that of a certain level that SNF aren’t allowed to dispense. This posed a serious problem for us and the hospital because we would have to send him back and the resident would need to be admitted until they find a different appropriate facility.

Our Administrator and medical team jumped on this issue fast! They quickly did some investigation and tracked down the doctor who prescribed the narcotic. After explaining the situation, he coordinated with our doctor and switched the order to a similar narcotic that The Grove could dispense and is of equal strength to the original.

This amazing display of professionalism and inter healthcare communication prevented unnecessary anxiety for the resident and his family. The case managers and doctor in the hospital were also very pleased not to have to readmit the resident and knowing that The Grove is on top of his medical situation gave them confidence in our team.
Great work!!!