Rebuilding Together: A Couple’s Journey to Independence

Carol Wilkins was in Charlottesville, Virginia, when a recent back surgery led her to seek rehabilitation. It was becoming difficult to get around, impeding her life in West Virginia with her husband, Owen. Luckily, she found VMRC’s inpatient therapy and rehabilitation program, where our multidisciplinary team, including a doctor, physical and occupational therapists, a full nursing staff (LPNs, RNS, and CNAs)and more, work tirelessly to restore their patients’ independence every day.

“I was so fortunate that I got here,” Carol says, describing how the staff at UVA Health presented her with a list recovery facilities. When she noticed VMRC, Carol had immediately lit up. “I had a friend [whose] husband came here. He was really pleased and satisfied with the way he was treated.” To her, the choice was obvious.

In May, Carol was welcomed into one of Transitional Care’s private suites, a comfortable and fully-furnished room where Carol could recover in peace without driving over state lines every day. “This whole facility feels so much like home,” Carol declares, a statement that rings true to many of our short-term patients at VMRC. With a modern therapy gym, café-style dining in the Grille at Oak Lea, as well as private bathrooms inside each private room, our facility is created with resident comfort in mind, Carol being no exception.

A full team rallied behind the Carol, as they have for so many patients before her. Friendly and caring nurses and therapists guided her through a custom recovery plan to restore her strength and mobility, with additional support from our in-house physician, nurse practitioner, dietician, and more.

A month later, Owen followed in Carol’s footsteps, seeking to recover from his own injuries after a fall had left him with limited mobility. Owen speaks candidly about his thoughts on rehabilitation, pointing out how frustrating the process of finding a can be. “Nobody likes it. I have been to other places.” He admits they left a bad taste in his mouth. But, VMRC? VMRC was different. “The therapists are A-1. The whole experience was great. There’s nothing like it,” Owen insists.

The couple’s treatment lasted four weeks each. Each morning, they were greeted with an individualized care routine at VMRC’s state of the art therapy gym and round-the-clock nursing care. Owen especially notes how helpful the staff was during his recovery. “They work with you very well in therapy. Very professional and very nice.” They both speak fondly of the bonds they made with staff members, smiling amongst themselves as they brought up fond memories of their favorite nurses.

Our outcome-focused approach to rehabilitation did wonders with Carol and Owen. In just about four weeks, The couple was ready to check-out of VMRC, and resume their lives back in West Virginia. “I went see to my family doctor [in West Virginia], and he said [my chart] looked great. Everything looked really well.” Carol smiles.

The couple even got to keep their dog, something that they did not think would be possible after Owen’s fall. It’s this renewed sense of autonomy that Carol and Owen appreciate the most, the idea that they can approach the future with confidence. Knowing that VMRC is always there for them, of course, provides an additional comfort. “I plan on coming back,” she says, nodding. She makes note of how nice it is that VMRC has such a wide range of options, all providing top-of-the-line care. Whether it’s short term rehabilitation or long-term residency, VMRC takes care of all. And Owen? Owen is even more enthusiastic about the prospect of coming back. “[They’ve] got better television than I’ve got at home! Why wouldn’t you wanna come back?”