Life Care Center of Skagit Valley helps Jacoby manage heart failure

Darell Jacoby was having trouble managing his congestive heart failure and was fighting an infection.

Jacoby came to Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro Woolley, Washington, for rehabilitation. When he arrived on May 27, 2017, he needed extensive assistance with several activities of daily life, including bathing and dressing. He also needed moderate assistance with grooming and balance.

Occupational therapists helped Jacoby address his functional skills. They used resistance bands and weights to improve his arm strength, as well as range-of-motion exercises to increase and maintain his flexibility. They used puzzles and games to help him with problem-solving and fine motor skills and trained him how to use adaptive equipment. They also worked with him on nutrition and meal planning.

Meanwhile, physical therapists addressed Jacoby's mobility. While both PT and OT had him do exercises on the NuStep^® and Omnicycle^™ exercise machines, the PT team focused on lower-body strength for walking and standing. They trained him on the parallel bars, and he progressed from a wheelchair to walking safely with a four-wheeled walker.

"All the therapists are great," said Jacoby. "They work hard. I don't always know why they do what they do, but if I ask, they explain. I went five years with no help, but this whole experience has been a blessing."

Jacoby returned home on Aug. 23, walking independently and taking care of most of his daily needs on his own.