St. James Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center (January 2018)

Mrs. Ilse Orozco arrived to St. James Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center on November 28, 2017 from an inpatient hospitalization at John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson, New York. Mrs. Orozco had a terrifying fall, with slight amnesia caused by having weakness throughout her legs and not enough steadinesses in her balance. After a routine visit from her primary care physician, It was revealed that Mrs. Orozco had developed severe joint inflammation as well as sustaining minor amnesia. She was referred to an orthopedic specialist who recommended seeking physical and occupational therapy.

After successful news of not having to undergo severe surgery, Mrs. Orozco was recommended that she would benefit from rehabilitation to support her range
of motion and ability to ambulate once returning home. Their primary care physician was able to recommend St. James as a stellar rehabilitation resource. Her Husband, Felix, and Daughter Michele, did their research on the skilled nursing centers provided to Them. With an appreciated community tour and a long last tradition of excellence, they decided to reside with St. James Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center by knowing their loved one was transferring to a great place.

Mrs. Orozco was warmly greeted by multiple professionals of team St. James whom anticipated her arrival. Within the first 24 hours, she was greeted by clinicians, therapist, physicians, administrative staff and many other valued members of the team to welcome her and answer any questions that her or her family may have had. Her physical and occupational therapist began her therapy program at bedside to evaluate her current state of health and mobility in conjunction with her most recent therapy/clinical notes from John T. Mather Memorial. She arrived as a modified assist and bed mobility.

Mrs. Ilse Orozco quickly excelled to being able to utilize the parallel bars in the rehabilitation gym with only continued progress to follow as she began to walk using a rolling walker after 10 days post admission. While on program, Ilse worked to build up her endurance and perfect her movement techniques. In the beginning, she forgot who her husband and daughter were and it scared her; she was so nervous. Finally, after a few days at St. James and her husband by her side every day and every hour of the week, she began remembering again. She experienced her ups and downs, but as she kept progressing physically with the rehabilitation team, it was helping her mentally by being here.

After achieving continued progress and nearing her much anticipated discharge date home, Mrs. Orozco shared her experience while at St. James rehabilitation and Healthcare center community. “Day one I was so scared, I came very late at night. I didn’t know where I was going and when I got here it was quiet and I felt like I was in a foreign land. It took me about three days to adjust to being here. Finally, when I was regaining memory and remembering things again I was feeling more like myself. My rehab therapists were amazing, Diane, Terry, and Nicole x’s 2 they were very sweet
women. They had me walking doing all the weight machines. Believe it or not, my favorite part of occupational therapy was when they had me folding laundry and cooking grilled cheese, and French toast, it made me feel back at home and feeling useful again. The rehab team shows you how much they care about all their patients. I cannot complain about anyone in the rehabilitation room. June, Maria, and Jessica were my aides. They were all so sweet and I can ask for anything and they would always help me with no questions asked. Tim was my nurse, he brought me my medications every day on time, and if I had questions he would answer them. He was just an extremely polite gentleman. I loved the therapeutic recreation programs they had here, we are so lucky to be in a place that offers all these different activities. One of the Therapeutic Rec. Therapists Hanna would always come into my room and drag me out to come participate in the events. I am so happy she did because they were so much fun. Last, Christina the Concierge, really knew how to brighten up your day; she is a star! She would just come in with this friendly smile and you knew your day was going to be great, or that she was going to help you with anything and it would be okay. With her, everything was going to be okay, that’s how she made me feel. I am going to miss all the great friends I have made here too, I most certainly want to come back and either volunteer or just hopefully join in on their many different events.”

On January 30, 2018, Mrs. Orozco was discharged home with an eagerness to see her children, her grandchildren and spend quality time with her husband in their own home. Upon discharge, her ambulation increased from 100 feet to 200 feet and she was able to transfer independently. Team St. James is thrilled for Ilse and the incredible strides she achieved while under our care. We wish her nothing but the best and a continued happy and healthy 2018!