Patient Name: Cara
Patient Age: 51-years-old
Admission Date: 3/18/20
Admit from: Southern Hills Hospital
Discharge Date: 3/31/2020
Discharge to: Home with son
Length of Stay: 14 days
Reason for Stay: Muscle weakness and atrophy
How did you hear about Bethany Center for Rehabilitation and Healing? Southern Hills referred patient.

Details of Experience:
Cara was admitted to Southern Hills for a 12-day stay as a result of alcohol abuse. She shared, “they pumped my stomach, gave me medications, and started my therapy.” She continued, “I was not able to move much and did not walk for over two weeks, and that is why my muscles atrophied so bad and so fast.”

Cara was first admitted to Bethany in the early morning of Wednesday, March 18th. Upon admission, she was able to share with our team the various quandaries she had over the course of her experiences, and our team was able to reassure her that they would do everything in their power to make her time at Bethany exceptional.

Following her admission, a comprehensive health plan was devised to return Cara to the right track, both physically and emotionally. She was already very specific about her diet and what she put into her body, which was a wonderful foundation for recovery. She expressed, however, that she could not walk or stand on her own due to muscle weakness. Prior to her trip to the hospital, Cara was very active with hiking, daily yoga, and more, and wished to return to her active lifestyle.

Therapy was able to meet with her right away for her evaluation. One of the first assessments performed by occupational therapy was to guide her to the shower and see what she was able to complete on her own. Sans assistance with standing, Cara was able to complete the shower with minimal assistance.

Physical therapy has also played a large role in Cara’s stay at Bethany. Cara’s physical therapists focused mainly on her core, strength, range of motion, and lower body strength to assist her in her recovery. After only two days of physical therapy, Cara was able to stand with her walker as well as transfer from bed to a wheelchair with the aid of her walker. Since crunches are one of Cara’s favorite core exercises, her therapists encouraged her to do as many crunches as she was comfortably able to twice a day, as well as various range of motion exercises while lying in bed.

After a week of therapy, Cara was able to transfer from her bed to her wheelchair and back, take herself to the restroom, walk up and down the hallways for 15-minute intervals using her walker, and had regained much of her flexibility. Cara’s goal was to be discharged within 10 days, and her determination allowed her to excel in our incredible therapy program. At the time of her discharge, she was able to shower by herself, walk with her cane as long as she would like, perform 30 crunches in one sitting, and has regained most of her range of motion.

Not only has Cara had a complete change in her recovery, but she has also seen changes in her mood and appearance. She is always positive, and while working with her, she always has a smile on her face. Her excitement and drive for her recovery has assisted her in a speedy, fulfilling recovery process. Following her stay with us at Bethany, Cara has said she feels much healthier than she has in a long time. Upon discharge from Bethany, Cara will be staying with her son until she is able to sort through things. It has been a pleasure to have her at Bethany with us.