News About Kindred People and Places
Here are some current happenings at Kindred facilities across the country.
Former St. Louis Patient Returns to Say Thanks
By Carol L. Andrews
Human Resources Administrative Assistant
St. Louis, MO --- Viola was admitted
to Kindred Hospital St. Louis on July 29, 2003, from St. Elizabeth
Hospital for further management
of
respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation. Her past medical
history included a mitral valve replacement and coronary artery bypass
surgery.
After the operation, she developed postoperative embolic stroke,
coming to Kindred completely ventilator-dependent.
Through an immense amount of challenging work and resolve, as well
as the rigorous treatment and encouragement from the team at Kindred
Hospital,
Viola weaned from the vent. She was then decannulated and transferred
to a rehabilitation hospital to begin the next chapter of her recovery.
Viola is no longer at the rehabilitation hospital. She is back
at home doing all of the things she loves. She recently returned
to
the hospital
to visit and express the gratitude she has for all the staff who
participated in her care.
Resident Becomes Volunteer at Maple Manor
Greenville, KY – Suzanne came to Maple Manor Health Care Center
in June after suffering a knee injury from an accident.
After less than a month of rehabilitation, Suzanne was up and going again
and was discharged home. She continued her therapy on an outpatient basis
and once she had fully recovered she became interested in volunteering
at the facility.
Suzanne now volunteers two to five hours a day, three to four days a
week. She takes the residents on their smoke breaks, assists with activities
and spends a great deal of time speaking and reading with the residents.
You can always see her with a smile on her face taking the time to ensure
everyone around her is smiling and happy also. "She is the nicest
person I have ever met," said one resident. "I enjoy her visits
and I am blessed to know her."
She has turned into a devoted individual of the residents at Maple Manor
and the residents look forward to her arrival each day as they take pleasure
in the time they spend with her.
Couch Potato Santa a Success at Brewer Rehabilitation
By Carrie Lyn Worthley
Program Manager
Brewer, ME --- The Drama Club of Brewer Rehabilitation and Living Center's
Neurorehab Outpatient Program debuted Couch Potato Santa to a standing
room only audience on December 22, 2003. The Drama Club is made up of
patients and staff. This is the second performance that the group has
put on at the facility.
This performance told the story of a Santa who wanted a new sleigh and
boycotted Christmas until he got what he wanted. Nancy Buijnarowski, Speech-Language
Pathologist, who has been with the program for two years now, leads the
group, chooses the play and casts the characters.
Nancy, Sarah Goodell, COTA/L, and Kam Atwood, MOTR/L, have done an outstanding
job adapting the plays so each participant can be successful in delivering
his lines and acting out his parts. Adaptations have included non-speaking
parts for adults with aphasia and cognitive aids such as 3x5 cards and
cue cards for others in the play, all done with such grace and dignity
that the audience has no idea that aids are being utilized.
The group designs the set, makes the costumes and puts on the performance.
They meet twice a week to practice and prepare. Each participant's strengths
are utilized, while working on weaknesses that can be carried over to
real-life situations, such as ambulation and movement, memory skills,
social interactions and cognitive tasks.
