Life Care Center of Banner Elk helps Shallis recover from fractures

On Sept. 13, 2019, Diane Shallis came to Life Care Center Banner Elk, North Carolina, after suffering from various fractures to her sacrum, right elbow and pelvis.

These injuries required time to heal and affected her ability to complete tasks on her own. To gain her strength back, Shallis needed physical and occupational therapies. She required maximum assistance with bed mobility, moderate assistance with transfers and had poor standing balance. She also needed help with daily life activities like hygiene, dressing and cooking tasks.

Physical therapy focused on bed mobility, transfers and walking with a front-wheeled walker. Shallis was able to use an exercise machine known as an OmniCycle^®, ankle weights and other forms of exercise to help her regain strength. Occupational therapy focused on cooking and self-care tasks.

Shallis participated in physical therapy seven times a week and occupational therapy five times a week. After one month, she recovered enough to return home and continue her therapy as an outpatient.

"Diane worked very consistently outside of therapy, and was careful about her recovery from her fractures, which took longer than expected," said Elizabeth Goode, director of rehab. "Despite this, she kept a positive attitude and kept on working, and she reached her goals."

On Dec. 27, Shallis completed her therapy. She was able to walk with a cane, climb stairs and complete activities of daily living. She was even able to return to exercising at the YMCA!