A quick stroll from the main building at Good Samaritan Society – Loveland Village in Colorado and physical therapist Sara Graves is knocking on resident Diana Wade’s door.
“The setup is just perfect,” says Diana regarding the Society's campus. “Worked out even better than I thought it would. I didn’t realize that you could have the occupational therapists and physical therapists come to your home."
Diana is delighted to show off what her brand new knee can do these days thanks to weeks of mobile outpatient therapy.
“Diana has made it an incredible distance from where we started,” Sara says.
'Luckiest person in the world'
The 79-year-old put off knee replacement surgery for years. A move to a twin home at the Society gave the former registered nurse turned artist the confidence to go for it.
“Just the luckiest person in the world to be located here on this campus with this kind of rehab service. And this is a great rehab department. This is not chopped liver. This is big time,” Diana says.
Sara adds, “We were able to work here in her twin home for as long as we needed to until she felt like she had the strength and stability, that we had worked on, to get over to our main building to work in our gym."
Thanks to physical and occupational therapy, Diana can walk or drive her golf cart anywhere on campus.
“We provide these services to residents here on campus," Sara says. "We do not venture out into the community. With the ongoing shortage of therapists, we are getting our residents into therapy within a week or two."
Swift, individualized care is leading to a new reality for residents.
“My goals have changed," Diana proclaims. "I no longer just want to be pain free. I want to learn how to walk like a person again and I want to develop my strength so that I can be like I’ve always been until this. There’s no reason for me – I’m only 79 years old – I don’t have time for this nonsense. I’m a busy person. I’m an artist so let’s go for it."
Diana is an active board member for the Art Center of Estes Park. She also has a new goal to catch a concert at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre this year. With her comfort level at an all-time high, Diana has even scheduled her next knee replacement.
Diana adds, “There’s no stopping me at this point."
