Reclaiming Independence - Short-Term Rehab Success Stories for September 2026
We love to highlight our rehab graduates to celebrate their accomplishments and encourage anyone who may be considering inpatient or outpatient therapy for themselves or a loved one.
If you are wondering if short-term therapy would benefit you and your family, take a look at the following patient success stories for September 2026!
Frank at The Woodlands
Frank was admitted to The Woodlands after being hospitalized for a hip fracture that required surgery.
At the time of his admission, Frank required heavy assistance with walking and making transfers and moderate assistance with upper and lower-body dressing. He also demonstrated mild-to-moderate deficits in short-term memory, problem solving, safety awareness, and word recognition.
Frank participated in physical, occupational, and speech therapies five times a week for two weeks, with goals of rebuilding strength and increasing his independence with walking, transfers, and safety awareness.
In just 17 days, Frank regained independence with transfers, mobility, and all activities of daily living, and he demonstrated only minimal deficits in short-term memory, problem solving, safety awareness, and word recognition.
He discharged to an assisted living facility.
Fran at Life Care Center of South Hill
Fran came to Life Care Center of South Hill after receiving treatment for ulcerative colitis and Parkinson’s disease complications.
The therapists assessed Fran’s condition and found that she required extensive help with almost all activities of daily living. For transfers, she needed a Hoyer lift, and for dressing and bathing she needed maximum assistance. Her nutritional needs could be met only through a peg tube, and her overall endurance, strength, and mobility were low.
During her physical, occupational, and speech therapy sessions, Fran and the interdisciplinary therapy team focused on rebuilding Fran’s strength, increasing her mobility, restoring her balance and standing tolerance, and improving her swallowing abilities.
After meeting her therapy milestones, Fran was eating a normal diet, tube-free, and she no longer required a lift for transfers, performing transfers and daily activities with minimal assistance.
"I never thought I would be wanting regular food again or standing on my own." –– Fran
Billy at Life Care Center of Saint Louis
During his spinal surgery, Billy experienced complications, such as renal failure and cardiac arrest. To maximize his recovery and restore his independence, he came to Life Care Center of Saint Louis for short-term rehabilitation.
When he arrived at the facility, Mr. Crocker required maximum assistance with transfers and activities of daily living. Even with the help of two therapists, he was unable to reach a full standing position. During his speech therapy evaluation, he demonstrated mild dysphagia, or swallowing difficulty, and mild cognitive impairment.
In physical therapy, he participated in modalities to strengthen his lower body, restore his balance, and improve his gait. In occupational therapy, he participated in sitting and standing balance training and practiced activities of daily living to improve his functional independence. Speech therapy focused on safe swallowing strategies and improving his cognitive function.
All his efforts in each therapy discipline paid off. At the time of his discharge, Mr. Crocker was able to perform activities of daily living and transfers with setup, and he could walking over 150 feet!
He no longer had a cognitive impairment or swallow deficits.
“I did not think I would ever be able to move my legs again. Now I am walking, taking care of myself and showering. The rehabilitation I received was great and allowed me to return home with my family." –– Billy
