Journey of Independence: Overcoming Challenges with Innovative Solutions

Jean has been a long term care resident since 2020. She came from her home after her family was no longer able to sufficiently care for her after medical complications including Parkinson's, vascular disease and kidney disease. Over the last year, Jean has seen a decline associated with a new diagnosis of skin cancer and chemotherapy.

Upon her first admission, Jean was performing transfers to and from her bed and in her restroom, was walking with therapy, and was independently propelling her wheelchair. Jean saw a functional decline associated with her cancer diagnosis but has now successfully beaten cancer and was ready to attack physical therapy again!

Jean participated in PT 4x/wk with emphasis on restoring her hip and knee extension, decreasing her lower extremity edema, and achieving her goal of no longer needing the mechanical lift for transfers after her cancer treatments. Jean has been able to return to activities that she enjoys such as painting and shopping in her wheelchair!

Jean says "Therapy is great!" Jean's sense of humor helps Cole, her physical therapist, enjoy coming to work. "I love that I can talk to Jean about Harry Potter and that she makes aging sound graceful and funny every day."

Jean still lives with us at Berkley Manor and has successfully been able to stop using the sit to stand lift for transfers, with resident and staff training on use of grab bars in her bathroom as well as new implementation of a transfer pole for her bed. She has also returned to community mobility in her wheelchair for the first time in a year.

Please contact Berkley Manor Care Center for inpatient or outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy at (303) 370-5443.

"We love to improve quality of life, no matter age, ability or condition!"