Springdale resident sees results from physio
Viva Sanders made a 'remarkable' recovery
Tuesday October 2, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
Physiotherapy and a lot of encouragement from staff members at Springdale Country Manor has helped Viva Sanders make a “remarkable” recovery after breaking her kneecap, says the home’s administrator and director of care Maureen Imamovic.

When Sanders, 84, was admitted to the Peterborough long-term care home in November 2005 she was weak and unsteady on her feet, recalls Imamovic. In early 2006 Sanders suffered a fall, resulting in her breaking her left kneecap.

Unable to walk, Sanders was put into a physiotherapy program to help her regain mobility. More than a year and a half after her fall, Sanders has gone from being completely immobile to being able to get around with a walker.

Barbara Ross, rehabilitation assistant from Lindsay Therapy, helped Sanders on her road to recovery.

Ross commends Sanders on her strong will.

“Viva was very determined to walk on her own again, which, in most cases, is the biggest part of recovery,” she says.

Ross began treating Sanders with a series of range-of-motion (ROM) exercises, which helps strengthen joints and muscles. Because she was unable to walk, Sanders had to do these exercises from her bed.

“Once Viva was strong enough, physiotherapy started her on standing at the rail exercises,” explains Ross. “This increased her strength further and helped with her balance.”

Within time, Sanders was able to stand. Once she reached this stage, Ross started coaching her on how to walk again with the help of a walker.

Although Sanders found this stage painful, Ross explained to her that feeling pain part of the recovery and that the discomfort would ease once the healing furthered. Ross stresses that this type of communication is not only out of respect for the resident, but it’s also an essential part of recovery.

Imamovic says it’s “a big thing” when someone in long-term care makes a recovery after a fall.

“It was really amazing that she was actually able to get her mobility back. (Mobility) is everything,” she says.

And it’s not only the physical aspect of Sanders’ recovery which Imamovic has noticed.

“You can see the pride in her face,” she says.