Patients Age: 62
Admission Date: 6/1/2017
Admitted From: Centennial Medical Center
Discharge Date: n/a
Discharged To: n/a
Length of Stay: 61 days
Reason for Stay: Ischemic Stroke
How did patient hear about Bethany Center for Rehabilitation and Healing? Case Manager

Details of Experience:

Mr. Hight is a 62-year-old male who was admitted to Bethany Center after a 23-night stay at Centennial Medical Center. He suffered from a left-sided middle cerebral artery stroke that caused hemiparesis/plegia, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and aphasia (loss of ability to understand or express speech). He was admitted to Bethany in the need of physical, occupational, and speech therapy as well as skilled nursing care related to his new feeding tube placement. On top of that, he suffered from a general inability to care for himself or for his wife to be able to do so.

Upon admission to Bethany, Mr. Hight was very weak, and he was also extremely depressed. Therapy was extremely challenging for him since he was unable to move the right side of his body. Also, due to major brain surgery, he was missing a significant part of his skull on the left side. With that being said, transfers in the bed and any other major movements must be extremely careful so as not to bump any part of his head.

Slowly, Mr. Hight began to get stronger. The community began to see him up and about throughout the community in his wheelchair. More and more he would leave his room and begin to self-propel using his left arm and left leg in his wheelchair. His mood also improved as he started to see his own progress. Sometimes he’s reminded that slow progress is still progress and even with setbacks from time to time, he is still much better than when he first admitted.

Mr. Hight’s wife and daughter have been highly involved in his care and recovery. And every now and then, when caught “goofing around” and having fun, he will even have a word or two to say. Going from being unable to say anything, to using a couple words, is a huge accomplishment. With the support of everyone here at Bethany, he will continue to get stronger and more capable as the days continue to pass.