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Older Adults Achieve Health Goals, Remain Independent with VNA Care

The most valuable lesson Nigma Patel, PT, DPT, has learned from her older adult patients is to never take your abilities for granted.

“My patients tell me ‘I want to get on the floor to play with my grandson’ or ‘I want to be able to leave home and go to brunch with my daughter,’” said Nigma. Many others in their 80s and beyond simply want to remain healthy at home.

VNA Care’s physical therapists work collaboratively with their team’s occupational and speech therapists, nurses, social workers, and other clinicians to help patients achieve goals just like these. Their expert care, guidance, and support enable patients to remain independent at home, despite periodic setbacks in their health.

Ruth Brandeis relied on Nigma and VNA Care’s home health care team numerous times while managing congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Her chronic diseases have caused dizziness, resulting in more than one fall. Physical therapy plays a crucial role in managing both conditions through targeted exercises. At age 90, her goals include continuing to live in her own home and taking her dog Snowball on walks around her apartment complex.

In just one month, Ruth has already seen an enormous difference in her leg strength and ability to walk safely. During each visit, Nigma and Ruth review exercises and, if the weather cooperates, venture outside for a walk. “Nigma is a really big help to me, both emotionally and physically,” said Ruth. There are days when Ruth would much rather sit and read than exercise, but, she added, “Nigma knows me, and she gets me going.”

Ruth follows through on her exercises between visits, and takes her dog out first thing in the morning for a lap or two around her building. “Nigma’s been so good about getting me to walk. I feel so much stronger. She’s really very special, and I’m very fond of her. I trust her,” said Ruth.

Keith Fritze, physical therapy assistant, shares Nigma’s dedication to making a difference in the lives of VNA Care’s patients. “I love being able to focus on helping guide my patients to better function in their own environment. It’s so important to help our older patients stay independent and safe at home,” he said.

Carole Jacobson (pictured with Keith), a self-described optimist, lost hope of being able to walk again after spending nearly three months in a hospital and rehabilitation facility due to pneumonia and flu. Extended hospitalizations can put people at risk for decreased strength. Carole’s condition was further complicated by spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that causes her severe pain and interferes with walking.

She asked for VNA Care by name when it was finally time to return to her apartment in an assisted living facility. VNA Care’s clinicians, including Keith, have helped her improve her condition numerous other times.

Carole, age 89, was limited to sitting in her recliner, unable to stand on her own after sitting in any other chair. Keith and Carole focused first on tackling that barrier to walking again. After she was able to go from sitting to standing once, she soon progressed to five times in succession.

“Now I can get out of all of the chairs with ease,” said Carole.

They didn’t stop there. The next goal was using a walker to get around her apartment. She diligently followed her exercise regime. Within weeks, she was able to walk from one end of her apartment to the other and back. Carole doesn’t want to stop there.

During a recent visit, Keith and Carole talked about building her strength and endurance to meet one other very important goal. Since returning home, Carole’s relied on assisted living staff to bring her to the dining room in a wheelchair. She would prefer to get there on her own. They made plans to first start walking to the elevator down the hall. Once she feels confident in doing that on her own, they’ll focus on the second half of the trip from the elevator to the dining room.

Keith never ceases to be amazed by Carole’s resilience and determination in overcoming multiple injuries and illnesses in the years they’ve known each other.

Carole shared, “I love every day of my life, and I want more. That’s my motivation.”