Kay...

Kay is a determined 82 year old woman with one very important goal- to return home!

In late 2008, Kay suffered from frequent falls and injuries resulting from a cervical disk issue. In November of that year, she underwent corrective surgery. Following the surgery, Kay was unable to transport herself adequately and safely so she moved reluctantly into a nearby rehab facility in Ludlow, Massachusetts. Shortly after she arrived, concerns were raised regarding Kay's uncooperativeness with the prescribed physical therapy and her perceived refusal to comply with the directions of her therapist. As a result, Kay was transferred from the rehabilitation facility in Ludlow to a second facility in Amherst. By this point, however, Kay was too physically and emotionally drained to continue her rehabilitation with the confidence necessary to succeed.

Very rapidly it was determined that Kay's initial surgery had not corrected her disk issue and, in fact, the surgery had worsened it. Along with this determination came the realization that Kay had not been refusing to cooperate with physical therapy; she was physically unable to comply with the demands. Once this realization was made, Kay was immediately scheduled for a second corrective surgery. Last January, Kay received her second corrective surgery and was transferred to a third rehabilitation center in February.

Although doctors were hopeful that this second surgery was successful, Kay was in a terrible emotional place. Her physical limitations did not allow her to rehabilitate herself and she felt powerless to improve. Her greatest fear was that she would not have the physical ability to get better and, as a result, would be assigned to a nursing home to spend the rest of her life. This fear spurred her determination to return home even more! She spent hours in the physical therapy room, exercising to the point of tears. She experienced numerous ups and downs, both physically and emotionally but her perseverance and profound determination to improve her physical abilities allowed Kay to finally reach her goal - she returned home this past September!

Kay's ability to "take charge" of her situation, along with the collaboration between her family members, health workers and Highland Valley Elder Services, allowed her to achieve her goal of returning home. Kay's story is a phenomenal success story!