An Extra Measure of Caring Goes a Long Way!
Dorothy Ceci doesn’t take one day for granted. In fact, every day at Saint Elizabeth’s Apartments is a gift to be treasured. At least that’s the way Dorothy sees it. She’s been an assisted living resident for about six years now, having moved from the gulf coast of Florida to the river coast of Wabasha.
“I wanted to be closer to my family and Wabasha seemed like a nice place to establish some new roots,” she explains. When she discovered Saint Elizabeth’s, she knew she had found more than a new residence, she had found a home.
The apartments are lovely, the meals are delicious, and the activities are plentiful, says Dorothy, but it’s the people and service that have embedded a lasting impression. “I have been on the receiving end of extraordinary care, and it all started with a physical therapist who has a big heart!”
Back in September, Dorothy had knee replacement surgery. It was her second knee surgery; having had her left knee replaced in March. After a brief hospital stay, she returned to Saint Elizabeth’s where she was admitted to the Swing Bed Program. Swing Bed is an extended care service for patients who no longer require an in-patient acute level of care, but whose condition does require some skilled services.
Because Dorothy wasn’t ready to return to independent living in her apartment, Swing Bed was recommended to provide the rehabilitative care she needed to build her strength and endurance.
After a 10-day stay in this program, she was discharged and returned to her own apartment only a few corridors away. Although back at home, she continued her physical therapy on an outpatient basis. Three times a week, physical therapist Amy Mueller worked alongside Dorothy – assisting her with a series of exercises and therapies that would improve the functional use of her knee and help her reach her goal of walking with only the help of a walker.
Dorothy’s weekly trips to the Rehabilitation Department provided just the right medicine for her healing. While Dorothy worked her muscles and tendons, she also formed a special bond with her therapist.
“Amy was so kind and caring. She made me work hard and sometimes, it hurt. But she knew what she was doing and was so encouraging. On one particular morning, I felt a cold coming on. I just didn’t feel well enough to go down for my rehab appointment, so I called Amy. But instead of accepting the cancellation, she offered to come to my apartment the next day. It was that extra step – that added measure of concern that made all the difference.”
When Amy arrived and inquired about her condition, Dorothy mentioned that she had an open sore and was experiencing pain in her incision – much like the feeling of a toothache. After a quick check, Amy didn’t like what she saw and called Pam Kieffer, director of Physical Therapy for a second opinion. Both agreed that Dorothy needed to be assessed by a physician. A quick call to Wabasha Clinic, part of Lake City Medical Center-Mayo Health System resulted in a same-day appointment with Dr. Jonathan Baines, family medicine physician. But the prompt, attentive care didn’t end there. According to Dorothy, his evaluation confirmed that an infection was brewing in her knee. Immediate action was needed to treat the infection before it spread and became more serious. Dr. Baines facilitated a call to Dorothy’s surgeon and within two days, she had outpatient surgery to irrigate the infection. Antibiotics were also prescribed. Weekly visits by Saint Elizabeth’s Home Health nurse provided the follow-up and maintenance care she needed to realize a full recovery.
“I’m very lucky,” lauds Dorothy. “It could have been so much worse. Amy went above and beyond. Her actions initiated a chain reaction that centered on my needs. She is just one example of how all the employees live out the mission of Saint Elizabeth’s.”
A month or so has now passed and Dorothy is enjoying improved range of motion and strength. She continues to exercise and is walking on her own a little more every day.
“There’s no place like this place,” she smiles. “I’m surrounded by people who really care for my welfare. I can’t think of a greater gift.”
Saint Elizabeth’s Medical Center partners with its providers to offer a full continuum of care, including Swing Bed, Rehabilitation Services, and Home Health Care.