The Pulse

Patient Information: Male, Age 71

Diagnosis: Stroke / Left Hemiparesis

History: This gentleman suffered a stroke causing hemiparesis (muscle weakness) to his left leg and arm. After spending a week and a half in the ICU and an additional three weeks in inpatient rehabilitation, he received six weeks of outpatient therapy. Prior to his stroke, this gentleman was independent with all mobility and worked full-time running a heavy equipment corporation.

Patient Information: Male, Age 79

Diagnosis: Wallenberg - Stroke / Dysphagia

History: This gentleman was admitted to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation services after hospitalization due to a stroke. A feeding tube was placed to address his dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). Prior to the stroke, he lived in his assisted living apartment and was able to eat a regular diet.

Patient Information: Female, Age 91

Diagnosis: Left Hip Pain / Spinal Stenosis / Difficulty Walking

History: This woman, a long-term skilled nursing facility resident, was referred to therapy due to a significant decline in functional mobility including bed mobility, transfers and walking. The decline was preceded by a fall while getting out of the car with her daughter, after which
she experienced increased pain in her left hip and back. Prior to this incident, she required minimal assistance with most functional tasks.

Patient Information: Male, Age 80

Diagnosis: Muscle Weakness / Falls

History: This gentleman, a long-term skilled nursing facility resident, was referred to therapy by nursing due to generalized weakness, risk of falls, and a significant decline in his ability to bathe, dress himself and use the bathroom independently over the previous few weeks. Prior to this decline he was able to walk 100 feet with a rolling walker with close supervision and required minimal (25%) assistance for toileting.

Patient Information: Male, Age 94

Diagnosis: Chronic Kidney Disease / Generalized Weakness

History: Following hospitalization related to chronic kidney disease, this gentleman, a long-term skilled nursing facility resident, was referred to occupational therapy to address severely decreased range of motion (ROM) in his right hand which limited his ability to feed himself. Prior to the hospitalization, he was able to feed himself independently.

Patient Information: Male, Age 66

Diagnosis: Fall-Related Trauma / Multiple Fractures

History: This gentleman was admitted to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation services after being hospitalized for two and a half months due to a fall at home while climbing a ladder, resulting in multiple fractures to the left side of his body. While in the hospital he suffered respiratory failure due to a pneumothorax (collapsed lung). Prior to his fall he was living at home, independent with all activities, and worked full-time in the field of construction.

Patient Information: Male, Age 73

Diagnosis: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) exacerbation

History: This gentleman was referred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation services to address significant weakness and functional decline after an exacerbation of  COPD.

Patient Information: Female, Age 85

Diagnosis: Fractured ribs / CHF / Generalized weakness

History: This woman was hospitalized after falling and fracturing seven ribs. During her
hospitalization, she began having complications from chronic heart failure which resulted in an
extended stay of almost a month. By the time she was discharged from the hospital, her function had declined as a result of generalized weakness and pain in her low back and upper shoulders. She was referred to therapy to recover her function, treat her pain, and improve her activities of daily living.

Patient Information: Female, Age 72

Diagnosis: Multiple Sclerosis / Chronic Left Leg Pain / Fibromyalgia

History: This woman, a long-term skilled nursing facility resident, was referred to therapy due to an increase in chronic left leg pain and decreased safety with functional mobility. Prior to this decline she was independent with transfers and walking.

Patient Information: Female, Age 86

Diagnosis: Right Shoulder Fracture / Shoulder Pain

History: This woman fell at her home in an assisted living facility, resulting in a fracture of her
right shoulder. She was evaluated and treated in the emergency room and returned home with an immobilizer to limit the movement of her shoulder. After six weeks of right shoulder immobilization, she was referred to outpatient therapy. Prior to her fall she lived in an assisted living facility and was independent with dressing, eating, and bathing.