Case Study: Glengariff Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center (September 2020)

Patient’s Age: 39 years old
Patient’s Name: Susha Pappachan
Admission Date: 08/13/20
Admitted From: St. Joseph’s Hospital
Discharge Date: 09/08/20
Discharged to: Home
Length of Stay: 25 days
Reason for Stay: Improving balance, mobility and strength due to Inflammatory Arthritis, Ataxia
How did this patient hear about Glengariff Rehabilitation & Nursing Center? Hospital staff shared information about our community


Details of Experience:
Ms. Susha P. was admitted to the Glengariff Nursing and Rehabilitation on August 13, 2020. Prior to being admitted to Glengariff, she was admitted to St. Joseph’s Hospital with Ataxia and lethargy, inflammatory Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. The Case Management team at the hospital recommended subacute, short term rehabilitation. Hospital staff shared information about our community and, in turn, Susha and her family chose Glengariff Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

When Susha arrived at Glengariff, she was concerned about her lack of balance, mobility and strength and she was concerned about her ability to manage stairs. Susha was not able to walk by herself, and unsure if she would be able to do so for more than 2 steps. With the Rehabilitation team assisting her, she was able to walk 20 feet with an assistive Rollator device on her first attempt. She exhibited reduced lower leg strength, weak trunk muscles and weak hip extensors. Lastly, she was fully dependent on assistance to participate in her Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Shortly after her arrival, Susha started to make strides. Her strength improved. She was able to improve from 20 feet with substantial assistance to ascending and descending 3 stairs and walking 80 feet unassisted. As the therapy continued, Susha’s long term goals were established, establishing new benchmarks for her to achieve. Upon discharge, Susha was able to climb 5 steps with only modest assistance, travel 175 feet continuously, full bed mobility with only minimal cues of supervision and able to perform all the basic activities of daily living.

The Interdisciplinary team not only focuses on physical well-being, but a patient’s emotional and mental well being. Our Concierge team, Daniel and Antwan, supported Susha through one-to-one daily visits, including Virtual Visits with family and friends as well as Window Visits with loved ones. This support allowed Susha to stay focused on her rehabilitation, knowing her friends and family were with her in spirit, including improving her techniques at enhancing her ADL functioning.

When Susha was wheeled out on the day of her discharge, she rose out of her wheelchair effortlessly and strode over to her car. Throughout her stay, Susha consistently shared how she was pleased with the staff. She described them as “kind and compassionate” and “so very caring.” “I could never have done it without the team. They helped me to believe in myself and not to be demoralized by my struggle,” she said. Susha shared how her physician, Dr. Stanford, was a calming and solidifying force when her family and friends could not enter the community to see her.

The team at Glengariff Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is honored to be a part of Susha’s journey and wish her all the best!