Director of Concierge: Jordan Soban
Patient age: 95 years
Admission date: 10/19/2021
Admitted from: LIJ – Valley Stream
Discharge Date: 12/14/2021
Length of stay: 56 days
Reason for stay: Fracture of lumbar spine/lower back pain
How did this patient hear about The Grand Pavilion? Hospital Social Worker

Details of Experience:

Ms. Florence Cuccias is a lively 95-year-old woman who was first admitted to The Grand Pavilion for Rehabilitation and Nursing in mid-October from LIJ – Valley Stream. Ms. Cuccias was admitted to the hospital for a lumbar spine fracture and associated lower back pain. Upon discharge from the hospital, Ms. Cuccias and her family selected The Grand Pavilion to continue treatment of her medical issues and return to walking with minimal assistance.

Within 24 hours of arrival at The Grand Pavilion, Ms. Cuccias was greeted by staff members from nearly every department, including nursing, physicians, therapists, and dieticians. Florence immediately positively impacted the 3 West Unit, as her bright smile and positive attitude were evident from the start. Her physical therapist, Michael, and her occupational therapist, Christine, worked together to develop a comprehensive therapy plan that would allow her to meet her goals. Ms. Cuccias arrived at The Grand Pavilion requiring minimum assistance with mobility-related tasks, trouble standing for prolonged periods, unable to ambulate on stairs, and the ability to walk only 50 feet at a time. She also required significant assistance with several Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and could not participate in many ADLs, requiring complete assistance.

During the first month of her stay, Florence made steady progress and was able to have regular visits with her brother, which created a positive support system for her. Florence made significant progress in physical therapy, improving her balance and ability to stand and increasing her ambulation.

Throughout her second month at The Grand Pavilion, Florence continued to excel and brighten everyone on the third floor. She made significant progress in occupational therapy, requiring much less assistance with her ADLs. While still requiring assistance, Florence is now able to participate in all ADLs actively. She made significant improvements in physical therapy and was able to walk more than 100 feet, doubling her baseline and walking up a series of steps. As of mid-December, as a result of her progress, the staff at The Grand Pavilion determined that Florence would be able to return to the community safely.

The social work department at The Grand Pavilion arranged for Florence to transition to an assisted living community nearby. Upon discharge, Florence stated that while she greatly enjoyed her time here at The Grand Pavilion, she hoped that she would not require our rehab services again for a long while.

The staff at The Grand Pavilion will miss the positivity and humor that Ms. Cuccias brought to the community daily but are thrilled that she made such significant progress during her stay here and wishes her a happy and healthy remainder of 2021.