Patient’s Age: 80-years-old
Admission Date: 01/08/19
Admitted From: Jackson Memorial Hospital
Discharge Date: 03/28/19
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: 79 Days
Reason for Stay: Paraplegia.
How did this patient hear about The Encore: Resident’s wife found through networking nearby Skilled Nursing Facilities.
Details of experience:
In December of 2018, Dr. Kenneth Kunzman suffered from thoracic spinal cord ischemia. On January 8th, 2019, he was brought to The Encore at Boca Raton from Jackson Memorial Hospital. He entered our community with the hopes of becoming independent enough to perform a full-tilt on a powerchair!
Upon arrival, Dr. Kunzman was evaluated by his therapists, Norma Guerrero, and Eric Kalina. He was unable to ambulate at all, unable to function a wheelchair, and had poor sitting balance (total assist). Nonetheless, Dr. Kunzman had a very positive attitude and was extremely motivated, although he shared with Michael Rubin (director of concierge services), “There was an area of uncertainty. I hoped that the OT and PT would be intense enough to get me going. They did not fail me.”
The first thing that Dr. Kunzman focused on with his therapists was his wheelchair positioning. He primarily focused on upper body ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living) and sitting balance. As soon as he was able to position himself on his wheelchair, he was focusing on propelling a wheelchair and participation in lower body dressing. A few weeks after, Dr. Kunzman focused on laying down and sitting up.
Towards the end of his stay, Dr. Kunzman had progressed to being able to transfer from his wheelchair- to his bed, as well as transferring into cars. He was also able to do pressure releases on an electric wheelchair (which was his goal coming to The Encore!)
Aside from the therapy, Dr. Kunzman’s tremendous progress came from his determination to make his life work and accept the circumstances, he had never given up. He was discharged home from The Encore on 03/28/19 going from max assist to being to transfer!
Dr. Kunzman has stayed in touch with us at The Encore and shared “I’m doing well, The Encore was very good. Eric and Norma gave me terrific encouragement. The therapy was excellent!
Dr. Kunzman also shared that he has been asked to return to Cleveland Clinic (where he was employed before hospitalization)! We wish Dr. Kunzman the best from The Encore and we’re looking forward to having him come visit soon!