Blessing Health System issued the following announcement on Dec. 2.
When 88-year-old Margaret Midget broke her hip earlier this year, her five children knew what that could mean.
“We were afraid we were going to lose her,” said daughter Chris Smailys.
Margaret had her own fears. She had broken an ankle years before and recalled the pain of that injury and the work it took to recover. She did not feel up for that type of pain again. So when it came time for physical therapy after her hip replacement, Margaret was a less-than-willing patient.
“Without physical therapy, it can pose the potential for having more falls,” said Joan Goehl, physical therapy assistant, Blessing Home Care. “Falls in the aging population can be detrimental to health. At best it can mean a temporary or permanent nursing home stay. At worst it could mean death.”
When Joan and Margaret first met, Margaret could not get up off the couch without help. Joan was determined to help the patient she refers to as “Miss Margaret” regain as much independence as possible.
“It took me a good two weeks of really getting to know Miss Margaret and her getting to know me for her to start trusting me and knowing I had her best interest at heart,” Joan said.
The encouragement of Margaret’s family was also key to her recovery. It also helped that Margaret changed her mind.
“I was tired of being able to only sit and lay down,” she said.
“We’ve really taken off,” Joan stated.
As Margaret began work with Joan, she could walk about 20 feet. Today she is working to be able to again use her cane for support as she walks, instead of a walker.
“Miss Margaret is getting stronger, and is starting to get back to where she was before the fracture, which mentally can mean a lot to a person,” Joan said.
“I did not think she would get back to being able use only a cane,” Chris said.
Physical Therapy has not been pain free for Margaret, but Chris says Joan has made it tolerable for her mother.
“Joan was helpful in not pushing her if it was hurting too much,” Chris stated.
“Once we got past the initial pain and got into therapy, Miss Margaret realized that the movement actually helped with her pain to where she no longer needed over the counter pain medication,” Joan concluded.
“I would almost say she walks better now than before she broke her hip,” observed Chris.
“It’s all due to that gal right there,” Margaret said with a smile pointing to Joan.
Click here for more information on the service of Blessing Home Care.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Blessing Health System
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