Home is Where the Heart Is

After 14 months of rehab in a nursing home following amputation of her left leg, 74-year old Pat Thomas is back in her own home.  Thomas was born, raised, and has lived most of her life in the circa 1823 family farmhouse in Bland and is not about to leave now.  “This is my home,” says Thomas, “and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

While recuperating from surgery and rehabilitation at the nursing home, Thomas began making plans to return to her home.  She was not willing to let her physical predicament strip her of her independence.   After all, her 12-year old dog Jack was waiting for her return. 

One of the requirements for Thomas to return home was wheelchair access.  She needed a ramp to navigate her wheelchair to the front door.  Keeping up with the local news, Thomas spotted a newspaper article in which Legends Bank had donated funds to Heartland Independent Living Center to support its Home Modification program.  Inspired by the story, Thomas contacted Heartland and the road home began.

Thomas returned home in January 2013 with a 16-foot ramp ready and waiting.  Also waiting was Janet Ocheskey, a Registered Nurse from HILC In-Home Care, who visits Thomas weekly.  Under Heartland’s In-Home Care program, Thomas also receives weekly visits from an aide who helps with activities of daily living.

The next hurdle Thomas faced was access to her bathroom.  Again, Heartland came to the rescue with a shower seat, grab bars, accessible toilet stool, and door threshold making Thomas’ bathroom fully accessible to her needs.

Thomas’ final step to independence was the Guardian Alert communications device that Heartland provided her.  “It’s a matter of security for me,” says Thomas.  “I wear it around my neck every night when going to bed.  I’d hate to get up in the middle of the night and blunder around and fall and break a bone.”  Thomas says she wears the Guardian Alert in the daytime also when she is home alone.  “But I’m seldom alone as family, friends and neighbors are constantly visiting and checking on me,” continues Thomas.  “Everyone has been so helpful and considerate since I’ve returned home.”

When Thomas returned home in January, her HILC In-Home Care Aide visited 5 days a week to assist with daily living chores.  Thomas is now doing so well she elected to cut her aide’s visits to one day a week.  Thomas boasts that she even went grocery shopping recently.  “I called ahead to Mace’s grocery store and an employee met me at the car.  She took my grocery list, filled it, loaded it into the car and I was off.”  

HILC In-Home Care’s RN continues to make weekly visits to ensure that Thomas remains in good health.  “With my diabetes, I feel much more confident knowing a medical professional is monitoring my condition,” explains Thomas.  “I can’t say enough about the people at Heartland.  They have helped me tremendously and I would not have been able to maintain my independence and live at home without their help.”

“With sheer determination, Ms. Thomas has been able to stay in her own home,” states HILC RN Ocheskey.  “She has adapted her living skills since the amputation, and compensated for things she can no longer do.  I could only hope to be as independent as Ms. Thomas when I’m 74.”