One of the most rewarding things that any therapist experiences is when a resident that they have treated achieves their goals and is able to return to independent living in their own home. This is why we do what we do. At Kramm Nursing Home we are fortunate to have helped many of our patients achieve this goal. Our team of OTs,PTs, and ST work together with nursing and all departments to help this happen. The one down side of this experience is that when a resident who has become someone you see and interact with every day leaves. Everyone misses them and wonders how they are doing.

One resident who recently returned home after a long road back to health, apparently missed us too. Jim Yeagle’s rehabilitation was challenged by many peaks and valleys. He had several readmissions to acute care and had to begin the rehab process all over again when returning to Kramm Nursing Home. At times he doubted that his dream to return home again would ever happen. He persevered though, and made it happen.

Jim surprised the rehab department just a few weeks ago with a visit. We were all so happy to see how well he looked and to hear how well he was doing. He said “ I never could have done it without you guys”. Jim had always told us what a great cook he was and now he intended to show us just how good. The following week he returned with chef hat and apron and cooked a delicious spaghetti dinner for Therapy and Nursing with all the trimmings. After enjoying enormous portions and feeling a little sleepy, Jim gleefully suggested that we all take the rest of the day off. (Of course we didn’t. HONEST!)