Holbrook BlogScarborough, Maine
Kay Dillon is 72 years old. She lives at the Kaler-Vaill retirement living center for women. While some days, she admits, are difficult, for the most part she is energetic, bubbly and full of life. Just a few short months ago, however, things were not so cheery.
After a relatively routine vascular surgery on her leg, a series of unfortunate events left Kay confined to a hospital bed, severely depressed and lacking a will to carry on. Ninety-nine days at Holbrook later, Kay is vivacious, hopeful, and most of all – grateful.
“Holbrook saved my life,” said Kay. “They got me to where I am today. It took time, and it was hard – and I know I was probably a lot of work, but they did it. And I’m so grateful.”
Kay had been to rehab twice before, after other surgeries she’d had in the past, but the experiences were not good ones. When she found out she would be having her knee replaced, she decided to check out other rehabilitation centers in the area, including Holbrook.
“When I came to Holbrook the first thing I did was inquire about their physical therapy services,” said Kay. “Then I looked at the menu (laughing), and I was impressed on all fronts. I told my doctor I wanted Holbrook, and nowhere else. They tried to get me to list my top three choices but I told them it was either Holbrook, or I’m staying here – and that’s it.”
While Kay did get the chance to come to Holbrook, she felt so well after her knee surgery she decided to go straight home. “Going home was a huge mistake,” said Kay. “I thought – the pain is gone, I feel great – I can just go home. But I wasn’t ready. I should have gone to Holbrook, even if just for a few days.”
While Kay didn’t get to visit Holbrook after her knee surgery, just a short while later she wound up in the hospital again, this time for her vascular surgery. The vascular surgery led to the discovery of an aneurysm, which led to a very difficult, painful procedure to repair the aneurysm. That surgery resulted in a number of complications, including C Difficile, a contagious bacterial infection that can be very dangerous and even deadly. After contracting the disease during her recovery, Kay was transferred back in the hospital, this time for almost three months.
While in the hospital Kay became so sick that many of her organs shut down. Her doctors conceded that she may not live much longer, and Kay herself had lost most of her hope and will to survive.
“I had given up all hopes of living,” said Kay. “When the hospital eventually transferred me back to Holbrook I was an invalid. I couldn’t lift my head, I couldn’t swallow – I was done.”
But then, something wonderful happened. After being transferred to Holbrook, Kay began to make friends. She developed routines with her care nurses – in particular her night nurse – who tucked her into bed every night with a warm blanket, and a hug and a kiss on the forehead.
“I bonded with the staff like daughters and sons,” said Kay. “I’m not the easiest person to tell what to do, but they got me going. From the janitors, to the physical therapists to the kitchen staff – every living soul that works here. Nobody made a spectacle out of me. I know I was a lot of care, but they were always there for me. They brought me back – thank God.”
Once Kay regained her will to live, her health began to improve. She began eating, walking, and growing her hair back. She even invited her 6 grandchildren, 5 of whose birthdays she had missed while being sick, to join her for a birthday party in the activity room at Holbrook. She had the party catered and the staff helped her decorate all the tables. She was even able to use the pool, and surprised her grandkids with a pool party.
“The staff at Holbrook bent over backwards for me,” said Kay. “They absolutely went above and beyond.”
Today, after 99 days at Holbrook, Kay is back at Kaler-Vaill – but she loves visiting Holbrook to say hello to all of her friends.
About Piper Shores Piper Shores is the only nonprofit lifecare retirement community in Maine and the first to be recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC) – the nations’ only accrediting body for continuing care retirement communities. Built in 2001 in a style that complements Maine’s architectural heritage, Piper Shores is located on 138 acres of beautiful oceanfront property, situated between Higgins Beach and historic Prouts Neck in Scarborough, Maine. Piper Shores is an innovative retirement community that promotes the long-term wellbeing of its residents through a continuum of activities and lifecare services. Piper Shores residents enjoy active, independent lifestyles with guaranteed priority access to on-site assisted living and skilled nursing care, whenever they may need it.
Piper Shores is owned by Maine Life Care Retirement Community, Inc., a Maine nonprofit organization, formed by a group of accomplished local individuals to deliver the shared vision of creating an ideal retirement community on the coast of Maine. Piper Shores is managed by Life Care Services, LLC, the nation’s leading development and manager of senior living communities.
For more information, visit http://www.pipershores.org or call 207-510-5211.
