Patient’s Name: Joseph L.
Patient’s Age: 89-years-old
Admission Date: 05/08/20
Admitted From: North Shore Manhasset
Discharge Date: 06/04/20
Discharged to: Home
Length of Stay: 27 days
Reason for Stay: Neuropathy in the abdomen and dysphagia
How did this patient hear about Glengariff? His physician
Details of Experience:
Mr. Joseph L. was admitted to Glengariff Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center on May 8, 2020. Prior to being admitted to Glengariff, he was admitted to the North Shore University Hospital with neuropathy and pain in the abdomen and dysphagia. His physician recommended short-term rehabilitation. Joseph, his wife, and daughter chose our community upon extensive clinical research.
When Joseph arrived in our community, his family was concerned about his lack of balance, mobility, and strength. His wife was concerned about his ability to manage stairs. Joseph was not able to ambulate independently and he did not know if he would be able to do so for more than five steps. Further complicating Joseph’s rehabilitation was his dysphagia diagnosis, which caused him to aspirate. This contributed to difficulty eating foods, leading to poor strength and weakened balance. But after working with his Speech-Language Pathologist, Joseph started to make significant progress. His strength improved, and his steps increased; from five steps with maximum assistance to 75 feet with minimal assistance in six days. As his therapy continued, Joseph’s goals were enhanced, establishing new benchmarks for him to achieve.
With the staff coming to provide both intensive physical therapy and the Concierge team keeping Joseph digitally connected to his family through virtual visits, Joseph grew stronger, buoyed by this clinical and emotional support. He focused more acutely on improving his ability to transfer, sit up in bed, toileting, and bathing. Within four weeks of his stay, he was ascending and descending three stairs and ambulating 125 feet with contact guard assistance. Joseph was able to get out of bed on his own with only minimal cues of supervision and he was improving in performing the basic activities of daily living.
On his day of discharge, June 4, 2020, he rose out of his wheelchair and walked to his daughter’s car to greet his Goldendoodle, his very best friend. “Had he come home immediately after acute rehabilitation, a fall would have been very likely,” his wife shared. Throughout his stay, Joseph shared how grateful he was for the professionalism and genuine care the interdisciplinary team showed towards him. Joseph recalled some the names of those who assisted him with his progress toward rehabilitation. “Devanshi and Joe were terrific in Physical and Occupational Therapy. They took care of me and did house calls – right to my room!” The team at Glengariff Rehabilitation and Nursing Center wishes Joseph all the best and is proud to have been a part of his recovery and return home.