Payson Care Center helps Curtis recover from broken right arm

When Leonard Curtis fell by his front door at home, he broke his right arm and needed rehabilitation to recover.

Curtis came to Payson Care Center in Payson, Arizona, from the hospital on April 24, 2018, needing help with all of his mobility and basic daily activities.

"I could not dress myself or get up," Curtis remembered.

This was quite a change in independence for the former lumber mill worker.

Physical and occupational therapists set out to change these outcomes for Curtis and worked with him five days a week to help him reach his goal of being able to take care of himself and going home.

In addition to traditional therapeutic exercises and activities, they used specialized equipment such as pulleys and the Omnicycle^™ machine with hand cranks that allowed Curtis to concentrate on his arm strength. The NuStep^® exercise machine also allowed him to strengthen his arms and legs at the same time from a sitting position.

"The bikes helped with my weak knee," Curtis said.

"Leonard is very motivated, with a smile on his face all the time," said Shaye Gurrera, assistant director of rehab. "He tries everything we ask of him."

Curtis is now able independent in all his self-care and able to walk up to 600 feet at a time.

"I can walk around my house on the outside," Curtis said. "I liked the experience here better than the hospital. I have a lot more help here."

Curtis plans to return home soon.