St. James Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center (October 2017)

Mrs. Linda Lutjen arrived to St. James Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center on June 8, 2017 from an inpatient hospitalization at Stony Brook University Hospital on Long Island, New York. Mrs. Lutjen was diagnosed with Cellulitis of her Left Limb. Shortly after she took an alarming fall and broke the main bones in her left foot and leg. She was treated with surgery, correcting the bone and placing a foot stabilizer on Mrs. Lutjen so her foot would heal properly.

After a successful procedure, Mrs. Lutjen was notified that she would need extensive inpatient rehabilitation to support her range of motion and ability to ambulate once returning home. Her husband John had researched the list of skilled nursing facilities capable of providing her level of care and subsequently selected St. James Rehabilitation and Healthcare center in a wonderful result of an appreciated community tour and a long-lasting tradition of excellence.

Mrs. Lutjen was warmly greeted by multiple professionals of Team St. James whom anticipated her arrival. Within the first 24 hours, she was greeted by clinicians, therapists, physicians, administrative staff and many other valued staff of the Team to welcome her and answer any questions that she or her family may have had. Her physical therapist Shera and Lisa and her Occupational Therapist Joe 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 Stony Brook. She arrived not having any mobility in her legs and a hard time standing.

As a stay at home mom, Linda was introduced to a vehicle simulation, kitchen simulation, laundry accommodations, and our rehabilitation grocery store for her overall strength building for an anticipated return as a hard working wife, and devoted mother. She followed by devoting a great deal of their therapy minutes to exercise programs that would facilitate weight bearing movement. Throughout her stay here at St. James, Linda experienced some ups and some downs, but she never let the negatives overcome her positivity to get better fast and keep moving towards the goal of getting back to her family. Her therapist Shera and Lisa provided Linda with extensive educational physical therapy guidelines to help her continue her routines while during her spare time at St. James or being able to take the useful tips home.

After achieving continued progress and nearing her much anticipated discharge date home, Mrs. Lutjen shared her experience while at the St. James community, “My rehab experience at St. James has been great, I couldn’t have asked for better people to work with. Shera, Lisa, and Joe would always encourage me, and always showed me such positive thoughts. The entire OT and PT rehab that I was not working with also was very motivating and uplifting, if I did an accomplishing achievement they would all cheer me on rooting for me to keep going. I will truly miss the three therapist I have been working with the last five months, and I am so grateful for everything they have done and how kindly they have treated me. Mrs. June, my wonderful aide over on 2 south, is on the top of the list of all the aides, she was my morning aide and it was just a pleasure to wake up to such a wonderful and kind soul. It would just start the day off in a positive note. Maria and Debbie were also my other two aides and they each have made my stay that much better. Nurse Jessica and Tim have always done right by me, whether it was a medication change, or having my medications on time they were always on the ball. Thank you, Christina the Concierge Director for always trying to do the right thing when ever I had an issue and needed help resolving it. You were always good to me, and my husband and I enjoyed the lovely cookies you made every week and the hot towels every time I was cold and needed extra warmth. There have been so many people here who had a huge part in making my experience here wonderful, because if it wasn’t for the staff members and the kind souls I don’t know how I would have made it through.”

On October 26, 2017, Mrs. Lutjen was discharged home to celebrate a spooktacular Halloween and an eager return to her family. The social services team at St. James center also arranged for Linda to receive continued clinical support through an out-patient services as she transitions back home. Team St. James is thrilled for Linda and the incredible strides she achieved while under our care. We wish her nothing but the best and a continued happy and healthy 2017!