Concierge: Marialcira Hernandez
Patient’s Age: 76 years old
Admission Date: 03/26/2022
Discharge Date: 05/31/2022
Discharged to: Home
Reason for Stay: Fracture of right femur, difficulty walking

Details of Experience:

Mr. Alam is a 76 years old male who lived in a single-level home with his son and had a caregiver assisting with his activities of daily living (ADLs). He was admitted to South Miami Hospital on 03/18/2022 with right shoulder and right hip pain after a fall. His son found him on the ground in his house. Mr. Alam reported he was walking without any assistive device (he sometimes uses a cane) when he misstepped and felt dizzy, causing him to fall. He reported hitting the right side of his body. After performing some tests and evaluations, the diagnosis was a right femoral neck fracture. Mr. Alam underwent right hip surgery. His hospital stay was complicated by a drop in hemoglobin, requiring a transfusion.

Mr. Alam arrived at Palmetto Subacute Care Center on 03/26/2022, following the medical team’s recommendations at the hospital and with a suggestion by the Social Worker, who highly recommended our facility. Upon arrival, he was welcomed by our Nursing Team, Dietitian, Social Services, Therapist, and Concierge. The entire team worked together to ensure Mr. Alam was comfortable and all his needs were met. During the evaluation with rehab, the patient and his family established his goals and determined his current level. Mr. Alam exhibited a decrease in strength, functional mobility, range of motion, transfers, reduced functional activity tolerance, and reduced static and dynamic balance placing him at risk for falls and increased dependency on his ADLs. He required maximum assistance for transfers, bed mobility, and most of his ADLs and could not walk (0 feet) without initiating any attempts.

Day by day, Mr. Alam was getting stronger. He demonstrated good rehab potential, high cognitive function, ability to follow multi-step directions, strong family support, motivation to participate, and motivation to return to his prior levels of function. He made friends in the community and participated in the activities scheduled by our Activity Department. He especially enjoyed the outdoor activities, gardening, having some fresh air, and talking with other patients and staff.

Mr. Alam was discharged home on 05/31/2022 with a lot of improvements. He gained strength that improved his ability to perform all functional transfers and ADLs with stand-by assistance to supervision. Improved static standing allowed him to tolerate higher levels of challenge in dynamic balance activities. His gait pattern improved to 280 feet total gait distance, using a rolling walker with stand-by assistance and supervision. He received recommendations for Home Health Services, a home exercise program, and some assistive devices like a shower chair, grab bars, and long handle sponge.

We are very proud of Mr. Alam, and he will be missed!