Recovery can be fun at Life Care Center of Haltom

Rehabilitation can be fun at Life Care Center of Haltom in Fort Worth, Texas.

At least, according to Lynn Geiser, who came to the skilled nursing and rehab center on June 14, 2017, after repeated falls and dealing with cirrhosis, diabetes and abdominal pain.

Geiser's daughter, Melanie Bowen, is a nurse practitioner and sees patients at Life Care Center of Haltom, so when looking for a place for her mother to do rehab, the facility was an easy choice.

"I became weaker after several hospital stays, and the team at Life Care helped me so much to get stronger," said Geiser.

When she arrived, Geiser was in a wheelchair and struggled with feelings of depression. She required extensive assistance to walk, moderate assistance to get dressed and minimal assistance to get in and out of bed.

Physical therapists helped Geiser recover strength and mobility through exercises and training, until she was able to walk and transfer on her own again. Occupational therapists trained her in her self-care tasks until she was able to do those independently again as well. Speech therapy also focused on memory, problem solving and thought organization to improve safety with daily task performance.

"The therapists engaged her in a variety of therapeutic media to assist in reaching her optimal functional performance, while improving her mood and using creative energy to fuel therapy sessions," said Cassie Granger, director of rehab. "They used painting, puzzles and even included her family in cueing strategies and utilizing books on weekends to give her some activities."

"I never thought a person could have fun at a facility, but I sure did," said Geiser. "Life Care and the team are high quality."

Geiser returned home to her husband on July 14. She returned as an outpatient to continue to progress in her balance, cognitive performance and functional strength and endurance, and her daughter has connected her with the local senior center, where she continues to engage in exercise and art.