Sponsored content presented by Ohman Family Living
A cascade of unfortunate events at the start of the new year had brought the once-spunky Kay, 84, to her lowest point. First, Kay came down with double pneumonia. It left her so weak, she fell and fractured her hip just as COVID-19 concerns were overtaking the nation.
Weak from pneumonia and in pain from hip surgery, Kay couldn’t handle the pain any longer. She had to go to the ER, despite her coronavirus fears. Kay told her daughter, Rachelle, “I would rather get the virus than spend another minute like this.”
Kay wanted a hip replacement but the hospital surgeon warned that — considering her age, earlier hip surgery and pre-existing conditions — she may never walk again. But Kay was determined to get back on her feet and return home, living the independent lifestyle she loved, surrounded by friends and family she treasured.
It was time for Ohman Family Living at Holly. “I had heard wonderful things about the care at Holly and said, ‘I want her to go there,’” Rachelle recalls.
Says Kay, “Physical therapy was intense. But the physical therapist I had was absolutely wonderful. If it wasn’t for Kelsey, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Kelsey really worked with me; she was so encouraging. She’d remind me, ‘This isn’t going to go on forever. But this is what you have to do.’ Then she’d clap whenever I made it to the end of a walk or an exercise. Encouragement like that made all the difference.”
“I did not want my mom to leave there until she said she was ready,” Rachelle says. “I didn’t want the insurance company — or anybody else — to dictate that for my mom. So we worked out an arrangement from day one, where if the insurance company said she was ready to go but my mom said she wasn’t, they would be able to keep her at Holly Hill through private pay until she was comfortable leaving.”
Kay started out wheelchair-bound, immobile and unable to care for herself. With hard work and perseverance, she progressed to a walker and increased independence. Describing herself as a “tough old broad,” Kay drew upon her own motivation and grit. Bolstered by Holly’s encouraging therapists, spunky Kay is back!
Calling her mother “a trooper,” Rachelle says, “Holly Hill helped her achieve all her goals. She got her apartment back, she fought to do that and they enabled her to do that. I’m proud of all that she was able to do, considering all the obstacles she faced within six months.”
Kay says, ”I just told myself that enough was enough. My life was not in the toilet. It was pretty darn good and I should start talking about the good things and not the bad things. I have so much to be grateful for, I have no right to be depressed.”
“I’ve been motivated all my life,” Kay sums up. “I’m part American Indian and we never give up. I’m also part Irish, so put the two together. I enjoy life and I want to live my life as long as I can.”
To learn more about Ohman Family Living at Holly (10190 Fairmount Road, Newbury) call (440) 214-2259 or email [email protected].
