Wound care and therapy at The Westchester House help patient walk again

When Michelle Cotton came to The Westchester House in Chesterfield, Missouri, for rehabilitation on Aug. 26, 2021, she was unable to stand or walk.

Michelle was resolving blood clots in both of her legs and needed help recovering from an infected wound on her left foot and skin grafts on both thighs. When she started physical and occupational therapies, she also couldn’t bathe or dress herself, and she needed moderate assistance with hygiene tasks like brushing her hair and teeth. She also needed some help rolling over in bed.

Ellen Gallipeau, wound care nurse, assisted Michelle with healing her foot and legs. They used a special ointment with a dry gauze dressing as needed. The care team was able to significantly reduce the size of the wounds.

Physical therapists worked with Michelle with progressive resistive exercises, helping her regain strength and endurance with functional mobility gradually. Now, she can walk with supervision with a walker and can even manage 10 steps with supervision while holding on to two rails.

Occupational therapists helped Michelle practice her daily self-care tasks and fine motor skills. They helped her get to a supervision level for hygiene and dressing and a minimal assistance level for bathing.

“Michelle was willing to do what was asked of her to progress,” said Shirla Kreilich, physical therapist assistant. “She was always wanting to know what to do on her own.”

On Sept. 23, Michelle went home with her family and home health.

“I enjoyed my stay at the facility,” said Michelle. “The workers were very kind and helpful. They gave me strategies every week so I could improve.”