Rehab therapy: Setting sights on home [video]

Watch the video above to see Jim Schoenrock talk about how Good Samaritan Society – Le Mars is helping him reach his goal of going home. 

Goals.

Jim Schoenrock learned to set small ones every day when he survived a liver transplant 30 years ago. Simple things like eating more or not having to go back to an intensive care unit kept him moving forward in tough times.

Jim set more goals during four separate battles with cancer. Each time, he came out on top.

Now, at age 80, Jim is setting a new goal after a fall broke his hip and he needed surgery. “I want to end up at home,” he says.

'Get them to where they want to go'

Good Samaritan Society – Le Mars certified occupational therapy assistant Sara Luenberger and her team are used to clients coming to them with challenges.

“Our main goal is to try and get them to where they want to go to,” she says.  

“So for Jim, it's home. We're focusing hard on trying to get him to go home.”

When Jim arrived at Good Samaritan Society – Le Mars after surgery, he was in a lot of pain and couldn’t walk.  

“We could barely even get him up out of the chair,” Sara says.  

They went to work on simple things, like getting him to sit and stand better while managing the pain.

One of Jim’s first goals was to walk 15 feet. After just over a month with Sara and her team, Jim is covering 150 feet at a time and can walk to the dining room when it’s time to eat. 

“These girls are right there with me in case something happens,” he says.

Preparing for home

Each day, Sara sets the bar higher for Jim, pushing him to improve his balance and endurance.

When he gets back home, he’ll need both while he’s getting dressed, standing at a mirror, preparing meals and walking to the mailbox.

For practice, Sara has Jim stand at a table, increasing the time a little bit every day. 

"We like to put something in front of them so it doesn't feel like they're just standing there,” Sara says as Jim plays cards. 

“It's also working his upper body with reaching, as if he has to grab something out of a cupboard. It's hitting all areas of the body.”

'Always there when I need them'

As Jim starts to close in on his latest goal, one of the things he’s most grateful for is the compassion Good Samaritan Society – Le Mars has provided during his recovery. 

“I feel like I'm at home. This is a place that’s going to make me better and keep me going. They're always there when I need them.”