David came to Sprenger Health Care Heather Knoll after experiencing cardiac complications after a surgical procedure to remove cancer. His difficulty with swallowing resulted in participation in several swallow studies. Ultimately, David needed a feeding tube after the studies were unsuccessful to ensure he was getting proper nutrition. Once medically stable, he was admitted to Heather Knoll for skilled rehabilitation with the goal of regaining strength, eating on his own again, and returning to his assisted living community.
The Starting Line
When David first arrived at Heather Knoll, he required a lot of support with every aspect of his daily life. He could not get in or out of bed on his own and was unable to walk at this time. Daily tasks that required hands on help included dressing and brushing his teeth. Eating and drinking by mouth was not safe for David at this time. When he reflected on his time at Heather Knoll, he shared that the most difficult part of his recovery was how long it seemed to take. Having a hard time with how long you’re away from home is a common hardship for anyone.
Continuing the Journey
After his skilled stay ended, David continued to go to therapy to continue to build on his progress. Eventually, he gained enough strength and had enough swallowing ability to upgrade to a safe, modified diet. This was a huge milestone for David in his recovery journey. David was able to return to his assisted living community. When he returned, he was completing daily tasks with minimal assistance.
The Motivation
David’s proudest accomplishment through rehab was being able to return to his own room in the assisted living community. His progress and his surroundings kept him going. When David was asked about what advice he would give to others going through a similar situation, he simply stated to follow the instructions that the care team gives you.
Stories like David’s remind us that recovery takes time, patience, and consistent effort. Progress is possible with the right support system, such as your therapy team, and determination. David’s story is a great example of the impact of compassionate care, skilled therapy, and resilience.
To protect privacy, patient details have been limited in accordance with HIPAA guidelines. This is written with patient permission.