Cancer patient finds rehab success at Life Care Center of Grandview

After treatment for pancreatic cancer, Stephan Beach, a retired sociology professor at Avila University in Kansas City, came to Life Care Center of Grandview, Missouri, for rehabilitation.

When he arrived at the skilled nursing and rehab center on Feb. 9, 2018, Beach needed total assistance with much of his self-care, from bathing and getting dressed to managing his medication. He needed extensive assistance with grooming, walking, bed mobility, transferring from one surface to another and balancing while sitting or standing.

Occupational and physical therapists worked with Beach to help him restore as much independence as possible. The OT team helped him with self-care tasks like bathing, dressing, meal preparation and light housekeeping, while the PT team trained him in walking, managing steps, transfers and balance.

"Therapy helped a lot," said Beach. "That included a progression of a variety of tasks. The therapists were easy to talk to, and therapy got me well enough to get back to independent living."

Beach is now independent in his bed mobility, hygiene and dressing and can get around in a wheelchair without assistance. He requires supervision for a few activities, such as walking, transfers, standing and bathing. He returned to his independent living apartment on May 4.