After three months at Pine Meadow Nursing Home, Roy Fitzroy is up and walking, and says he feels like a new man. From left are registered practical nurse Sherry Graham, personal support worker Robert Witty, resident Roy Fitzroy and registered practical nurse Laura Wilson.

Resident regains independence with restorative program
Roy Fitzroy of Pine Meadow ‘feels like a new man’
Tuesday January 31, 2012 -- Deb Bartlett
The restorative-care team at Pine Meadow Nursing Home is celebrating the success of resident Roy Fitzroy, who says he feels like a new man after working hard to regain activities of daily living.

Fitzroy had been in acute care for about eight months and “was admitted with a history of total care,” says registered practical nurse and RAI co-ordinator Laura Wilson.

Admitted to the Northbrook home in October, he was assessed and consented to nursing rehab.

Registered practical nurse and RAI co-ordinator Laura Wilson says Fitzroy’s determination and hard work has led to him being able to walk, wash his hands and face and able to put most of his clothing on,” says Wilson.

The team is excited for his progress, because at 61, Fitzroy is “fairly young, with the desire to do what he can for himself,” she says.

In Fitzroy’s case, the rehabilitation team includes his personal-care workers and registered staff.

Wilson says Fitzroy has the potential to continue to improve but has a couple of medical obstacles to overcome first.

Administrator Bonnie George says. “Restorative care should have a beginning and an end. You should have a goal, and you meet that goal. That’s why we have so few residents on the program at once.”

The home currently has three residents in the program.
She adds that when the team only focuses on a few residents at a time, “I think we’re more successful.”

The factors that determine whether a resident is suitable for the restorative program are having the cognitive ability to follow directions, medical status and self-performance with activities of daily living.

Pine Meadows staff took training last year and the program has been running for about four months.

Prior to the program being “official” the home had a resident who worked with dietary, nursing staff and physiotherapists, and was discharged to live with her son.

Wilson says when the team sees success like Fitzroy’s “They’re very pleased and excited.”

“It brings home the whole theory of nursing rehab and the purpose of providing care for the resident’s best ability,” she says.

George and Wilson say that in addition to the improvement in his abilities, Fitzroy is happy and more social now that he’s regained some independence.

To comment on this story, or to share a nursing restorative program success story from your home, contact Deron at 800-294-0051, ext. 23, or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.ca.