Patients Age: 56-years-old
Admission Date: 09/17/2019
Admitted From: Coral Gables hospital
Discharge Date: Current resident
Discharged To: Current resident
Length of Stay: 2 months and 16 days
Reason for Stay: Pain in buttock due to pressure sore surgery

Details of Experience:
Ms. Cruz arrived at Palmetto Subacute Care Center on September 17th, 2019 after hospitalization at Coral Gables Hospital. She is a 56-year-old patient who had pain on her buttock and needed to recover from her pressure sore surgery.

Ms. Cruz shared that her mom was a patient at Palmetto Subacute Care Center. She stated, “My mother was a patient at Palmetto Subacute and I would visit her every day. What really caught my attention was the patient care. So, when I was in the hospital, about to be discharged, I was provided with a list of rehabilitation centers. I recognized Palmetto Subacute and decided this was the right place for me!”

Ms. Cruz was warmly greeted by multiple professionals of the Palmetto team who anticipated her arrival. She was evaluated by both the physical therapy team (PT) and occupational therapy team (OT), and a treatment plan was put in place based on their objective findings. The team also developed a discharge plan and goal in coordination with her care plan.

Ms. Cruz was able to perform bed mobility with maximal assistance and was able to transfer from wheelchair to bed. Ms.Cruz was motivated and willing to participate in therapy. She is currently able to tolerate two hours of activity out of bed. Ms. Cruz was known to be a very cheerful person during her time with therapy. She would even often bring his own music for extra motivation. “I feel stronger than ever thanks to the team here at Palmetto subacute!”.

Patients Age: 71-years-old
Admission Date: 10/02/2019
Admitted From: Home
Discharge Date: Current resident
Discharged To: Current resident
Length of Stay: 5 weeks
Reason for Stay: Pain in left lower leg, muscle weakness. 

Details of Experience:
Mr. Garcia was first admitted to Palmetto Subacute Care Center on February 23, 2018. Mr. Garcia shared, “I had surgery of lumbar l4 and l5. After I came out of surgery, I did not feel my left leg. My family and I thought that it was due to the anesthesia; however, we discovered that the left leg was not functioning properly. I spent a month at Jackson Memorial Hospital in therapy but realized I was not showing much progress. I had two days to decide on a rehabilitation community. Jackson Memorial Hospital provided my family with a list that showed all nearby communities. My family visited about 12 communities before Palmetto Subacute Care Center. They arrived at palmetto on a Sunday morning. We were welcomed by the front desk and immediately began a tour with Jess Aguado from the admissions department. She was very detailed and explained all the services offered at Palmetto Subacute. From the concierge program to daily activities, and therapy (physical, occupational and speech). We quickly decided that Palmetto was the rehabilitation center for me. When I was admitted, I was evaluated by their physical and occupational therapy team and started therapy right away!”

Mr. Garcia increased his independence and was able to walk 90 feet with minimal assistance; he began at 0 ft. Mr. Garcia stated, “Palmetto is my home away from home. Everyone treated me like a family; they were very helpful and attentive. I started progressing with the therapy. I was here for four months. I was able to walk about 90 ft with minimal assistance with therapy. Between June of 2018 and September 2019, I was home with my family and was able to walk thanks to the therapy at Palmetto. I was also able to use the shower with minimal assistance from my family. At the end of September 2019, I had a talk with my wife. I was extremely appreciative of everything Palmetto Subacute Care Center did for me. I wanted to return once more, for another round of therapy, in hopes to gain full independence. When I was admitted again, I was so happy – I felt at home again. Aside from doing physical and occupational therapy; the therapists taught me how to safely enter and exit my car and go up and down the stairs. I am so thankful for Palmetto Subacute Care Center!”

Patients Age: 80-years-old
Admission Date: 08/31/2019
Admitted From: Kendall Regional Medical Center
Discharge Date: 10/02/2019
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: 1 month
How did this patient hear about Palmetto? Referred by the hospital, Kendall Regional.

Details of Experience:
Mr. Ortiz arrived at our community for rehabilitation after staying in the hospital for a couple of weeks. Mr. Ortiz was recommended to be placed in a nursing community, where he’d be treated with skilled physical, occupational and speech therapists.

Mr. Ortiz was welcomed by the Director of Concierge Services and evaluated by our amazing team of Nurses and Therapists. After his evaluation, it was confirmed Mr. Ortiz would be on a diet of puree and thickened liquids due to his Dysphagia and Dysarthria. The skilled speech therapy innervation included multisensory stimulation, therapeutic exercises, diet texture analysis with training in the use of compensatory swallowing strategies, speech exercises, and training in compensatory strategies.

Mr. Ortiz stated, “When I first arrived at palmetto subacute, I was very sad. I had suffered my 3rd mini heart attack. I could not eat solid foods and my speech was not clear. It was very frustrating. And I was sad because I did not think I’d recover from this one. However, thanks to all therapists in Palmetto subacute I am now able to eat solids; my speech is clearer. I’d like to thank all the ladies from speech for being very patient with me, as well as Gabriela and Justin from physical therapy.”

The therapy team is really happy to see the improvements Mr. Ortiz has made thus far. We always strive to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. It not only makes the patients, and families happy to see progress, it also makes us happy!

Mr. Ortiz was discharged on October 2nd, 2019, and he is very happy to return home to his family.

Patients Age: 73-years-old
Admission Date: 07/08/2019
Admitted From: Baptist Hospital
Discharge Date: 08/28/2019
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: 1 month and 21 days
Reason for Stay: The patient was hospitalized due to Hip Fracture.
How did this patient hear about Palmetto? Hospital referral and self-research.

Details of Experience:
Mr. Morales arrived at Palmetto Subacute Care center On July 8th, 2019 after being hospitalized at Baptist Hospital. He is a 73-year-old patient who suffered from a fall, which resulted in a hip fracture. After having surgery Mr. Morales was notified that he would need intensive inpatient rehabilitation to support his healing. He and his family were given a list of skilled nursing centers, where they ultimately selected Palmetto Subacute Care Center due to our 5-star ratings!

Mr. Morales was welcomed by multiple professionals of the Palmetto Team who waited for his arrival. He was evaluated by both our Physical therapy (PT) and Occupational Therapy team (OT), and a treatment plan was immediately put in place based on their clinical findings. Both teams also developed a discharge plan and goal for Mr. Morales.

Mr. Morales was able to transfer to his bedside using a standard walker with maximal assistance and needed frequent verbal cues. Mr. Morales was very motivated and determined during his therapy sessions and was always putting the maximum effort on his part. His goal was to continue intensive therapy in hopes of returning to independent status and a proper transition back home

Mr. Morales was known to be a very joyful person during his time with therapy. Mr. Morales even enjoyed our daily activities, “they always made my days better with the dancing, singing and dominoes games!”

Mr. Morales’s progress was amazing! He was able to walk with minimal assistance and felt less pain and needed less verbal cues than when he arrived. “I feel healthier and stronger. I believe I’m ready to go back home!”

On August 28th, 2019 Mr. Morales was discharged home. As he was departing and saying his final goodbyes, Mr. Reyes shared, “I will miss the Palmetto team a lot, and the morning coladas! I felt very good with the care I received from everyone and I’m thankful for you all”

Patients Age: 94-years-old
Admission Date: 06/24/2019
Admitted From: Hospital
Discharge Date: 07/31/19
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: 5 weeks
Reason for Stay: Suffered an acute displaced left femur neck fracture as a result of a fall.

Details of Experience:
Ms. Menendez arrived at Palmetto Subacute Care Center from Doctor’s Hospital on June 24th, 2019. Ms. Menendez was admitted to Doctor’s hospital after suffering an acute displaced left femur neck fracture as a result of a fall. It was discussed that she would need skilled care in the efforts of returning her home. The hospital assisted Ms.Menendez and her family with the selection process, electing to transfer to Palmetto for rehabilitation upon hospital discharge. Ms. Menendez was welcomed by all nurses and technicians and was taken to her room as soon as she arrived in our community.

Ms. Menendez was evaluated by all therapy teams. Our goal was set to have Ms.Menendez safely perform bed mobility tasks with moderate assistance and the use of side rails and only need 50% verbal cues for proper sequencing in order to decrease the risk for skin breakdown and prepare for transfers.

Ms.Menendez was referred to physical therapy due to her decrease in strength, decrease in transfers, reduced ability to safely ambulate, decrease in functional mobility, and declined ADL (Activities of Daily Life) participation.

Ms. Menendez increased her independence and was able to walk 50 feet with minimal assistance; she began with 20 feet. Her verbal cues also decreased from 75% to 50%. Ms. Menendez’s daughter, Ana, expressed “When my mother took her first 25 steps with Physical Therapist, Ramsi, I was overwhelmed with happiness. When she walked about 100 steps, I became a firm believer that here at Palmetto Subacute, miracles can happen. I never thought I’d see my mother walk again, even with assistance. I thank you guys for that!”

Ms. Menendez requested to be discharged home on July 31, 2019. She is in very good spirits and health upon leaving to return home. She shared that she was very pleased with her progress and the professionalism of the team here at Palmetto! We wish you nothing but the best, Ms. Menendez!

Patients Age: 74-years-old
Admission Date: 05/31/2019
Admitted From: Westchester General Hospital
Discharge Date: 06/28/2019
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: 28 days
Reason for Stay: Patient was hospitalized due to face trauma, bilateral nose bone fracture.
How did this patient hear about Palmetto Subacute Care Center? Hospital referral and self-research.

Details of Experience:
Ms. Rosario Munoz arrived at Palmetto Subacute Care Center on May 31st, 2019 from Westchester General Hospital in Miami, Florida. She is a 74-year-old patient who suffered from facial trauma and bilateral nose bone fractures due to a wheelchair fall.

Ms. Munoz was diagnosed with right and left Zygomatic fracture and general muscle weakness. It was determined by her physician at the hospital that she would require inpatient rehabilitation to regain muscle strength in order to perform activities of daily living once returning home.

Ms. Rosario was warmly welcomed to Palmetto and greeted by our amazing team. She was evaluated by the physical therapy team (PT) and occupational therapy team (OT), and a treatment plan was put in place based on their objective findings. The team created a personalized discharge plan and goal based on Ms. Rosario’s care plan.

Ms. Rosario was able to accomplish bed mobility with maximal assistance and able to transfer to the bedside chair. She was also walking 15 feet with maximum assistance. Ms. Rosario was very positive, consistent and willing to participate with therapy. She had therapy 5 times a week. Her goal was to perform bed mobility tasks with modified independence with the use of side rails, needing 0 verbal cues once she returns home.

With amazing progress on June 28th, Ms. Rosario was discharged home! She went from 75% verbal cues to only 35% and only needing minimum assistance for bed mobility.

“Therapy helped me a lot. Justin, my physical therapist, was excellent, as well as, Dinora from occupational therapy. Palmetto has met all of my needs. I’m very happy to be able to return back home and see my pets!” shared Ms. Rosario.

Patients Age: 78-years-old
Admission Date: 11/30/2018
Admitted From: Kendall Regional Medical Center
Discharge Date: N/A
Discharged To: N/A
Length of Stay: 60 days and go
Reason for Stay: Dislocation of other parts of left shoulder girdle.
How did this patient hear about Palmetto Subacute Care Center? Social worker at Kendall Regional.

Details of Experience:
Ms. Rodriguez arrived at our community, Palmetto Subacute Care Center, for rehabilitation after a stay at the hospital. Ms. Rodriguez was recommended to be placed in a skilled nursing community for care. She was scheduled for 30 days for physical, occupational, and speech therapy. With the help of these three disciplines, Ms. Rodriguez was able to return back to her residence and a few weeks.

Ms. Rodriguez was immediately welcomed by the director of concierge, unit nurses, and technicians. The clinical team was incredibly helpful with respect of assisting her if needed from the bed to the wheelchair and available to answer any questions. Ms. Rodriguez began therapy immediately while also getting to know additional staff members and residents. We were pleased to see Ms. Rodriguez make herself right at home.

Over the next few weeks, Ms. Rodriguez began to participate in activities more frequently and enjoyed conversing outdoors. While in therapy, she began with arm exercises to build strength and stamina using weights.

We are so happy to share that she is now being able to transfer herself. The therapy team is really happy to see the improvements Ms. Rodriguez has made thus far. We always want to make a difference in the lives of those who we serve, so to see progress not only makes our patients smile, our therapists’ smile.

Although Ms. Rodriguez is a current patient with us, she and the therapy team are continuing to work towards a safe discharge plan. We cannot wait to see the accomplishments she will make in the near future!

Patients Age: 88-years-old
Admission Date: 11/05/2018
Admitted From: Kendall Regional Center
Discharge Date: 12/10/2018
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: 35 Days
Reason for Stay: Syncope and Collapse.
How did this patient hear about Palmetto Subacute Care Center? The Social Worker from Kendall Regional Hospital.

Details of Experience:

Maria is an 88-year-old female who arrived at the emergency room, stating that she just felt “bad.” She had some difficulty expanding upon this, but clarified by saying she had generalized weakness and fatigue. She denied focal weakness, numbness, fever, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and urinary symptoms. Maria was eventually discharged from the hospital; however, according to Maria’s son, Maria had a syncope episode around the time of discharge and was readmitted for acute care.

Her doctor recommended physical therapy for roughly 30 days before returning home, thus Marisa sought therapy and skilled nursing services here at Palmetto. Maria’s journey began on November 05, 2018.

When she arrived to our community, she was greeted by our interdisciplinary team through a warm signature welcome. Upon arrival, she was very weak and was unable to walk steadily and perform everyday living activities. On her second day here at Palmetto, Maria was evaluated by the occupational and physical therapy teams to set a personalized plan of care in place to begin her healing journey.

Throughout her stay, Maria also received frequent chest x-rays as ordered by her attending cardiologist.

Maria received both types of therapy, five times a week, for four weeks. Occupational therapy focused on ADL’s, consisting of re-training coordination, safety, balance, therapeutic activities, and patient caregiver education. Physical therapy focused on bed mobility, transfer, gait training, therapeutic exercises, balance, endurance, and safety skill instructions.

Maria worked diligently and trusted the team here at Palmetto. From keeping her belongings safe, to making sure that she was receiving the best care, the Palmetto staff were proud to be a part of her journey.

Maria was discharged home as planned. We made sure that she was all set and ready, from medication education to transportation, we made sure that Maria had the right tools to have a successful return home. Maria and her son were extremely happy with the care provided to Maria at Palmetto.

“I found the therapy I had here really helpful. My stay here was very good. All those in nursing, nursing assistants, and physical therapy are great.” – Maria

Patients Age: 68-years-old
Admission Date: 10/17/2018
Admitted From: Kendall Regional
Discharge Date: No DC
Discharged To: N/A
Length of Stay: 44 Days
Reason for Stay: Other Bilateral Secondary Osteoarthritis of Knee.
How did this patient hear about Palmetto Subacute Care Center? Last year she had the same surgery on her left knee. She decided to came back to our community.

Ms. Fernandez arrived to Palmetto Subacute Care Center from Kendall Regional Hospital on October 17, 2018 after a two day hospitalization. Ms. Fernandez was admitted for a right total knee replacement, something she was somewhat familiar with as her left knee was replaced on the 22nd of September.

It was discussed that she would need skilled care in efforts of returning her home. The hospital assisted Ms. Fernandez and her family with the selection process, electing to transfer to Palmetto for rehabilitation upon hospital discharge.

She worked with our team and her recovery journey was coming along smoothly. Much to her surprise and comfort, Ms. Fernandez’s healing was noticeable and continuously successful.

Ms. Fernandez was welcomed and escorted to her room when she arrived to our community, and she was attended by our nursing staff shortly upon arrival. Already comforted in her room, Ms. Fernandez recalled some team members whom she has worked alongside in the past during her first experience at Palmetto. Needless to say, she had inquired and requested the same caregivers to assist her during her second journey. The team was confident in Ms. Fernandez’s abilities and potential for a full recovery.

Ms. Fernandez received physical therapy five days a week. Her continued physical therapy services were necessary in order to assess functional abilities.

Ms. Fernandez received occupational therapy also five days a week. She required skilled occupational therapy services to assess safety and independence with self care and functional tasks of choice.

Ms. Fernandez also has a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, and requires a little more assistance from our nursing team due to their advanced skills training with patient care. Ms. Fernandez had this to share about our team here at Palmetto, “They are a love, they come every day to work with a smile, and they help me with everything. Thanks Irasema and Regla for all you do.”

Ms. Fernandez continues her journey everyday in efforts of a fill recover and a safe return home.