Success Stories
On November 1, 2007, I was involved in a serious car accident. The nerve damage and injuries I received required extensive physical therapy. The hospital said I was too weak to participate in their therapy program and transferred me to Vallhaven Care Center.
When I arrived at Vallhaven, I was unable to stand, walk, use my hands or take care of my personal hygiene. I was depressed and in denial about the ability of Vallhaven to help me recover. Shortly after admission, my room was filled with staff telling me that they could help me. Their attitude was always positive and encouraging. The attention and professionalism was exemplary.
During my stay I took close notice on how staff treated the residents and not once did I see a staff member treat a resident with anything but dignity and genuine respect and concern. The food was very good and the kitchen staff accommodated my needs. Vallhaven takes pride in being clean and appealing.
I have had family members in nursing homes and have seen people left in hallways, crying and slipping out of wheelchairs, but not at Vallhaven. During my stay, family members and friends who visited me had nothing but positive comments about the cleanliness and how staff treated them and residents so friendly.
I want to say Vallhaven taught me how to walk and use my hands again so that I was able to return to my job. If I ever need to go into a nursing/care center, I definitely want it to be Vallhaven.
Kenneth S.
61-year-old Rae was admitted to Vallhaven on July 24, 2008, with multiple infections due to rejection of hardware in her hip replacement. She came in on IV antibiotics and required max assistance with cares, transfers and was NWB. She discharged from Vallhaven on August 13, 2008, independent with walker. She was able to transfer in and out of a vehicle, bathe and dress herself along with ability to do meal prep at home.
Here is her story in her own words.
Vallhaven…don’t let an older building fool you, there’s quality care inside.
I recently spent two weeks on the Transitional Care Unit at Vallhaven Care Center in Neenah. I was frightened when I first entered the facility, as I had never imagined I would need such care. I was warmly welcomed by management who continued to check on my care throughout the stay.
The care offered by the nurses, and especially the certified nursing assistants, immediately put me at ease. These are amazing women and men who truly care for you amidst a variety of physical and emotional needs. Their superb service is provided with compassion, smiles, humor and a caring attitude. These people are a blessing and angels in my book! The physical and occupational department has a staff that has worked strongly together over the years. They are knowledgeable and present your therapy in a positive environment.
Vallhaven is well maintained and the cleaning crew keeps it "spic and span".
A life experience I was dreading turned into a blessing for me!
Rae, Neenah
I arrived at Vallhaven about a week ago and didn’t know how I would like it. I’m wholeheartedly telling you the truth -- the staff are very detailed, they care about the clients….they’re fabulous! The food is good, too. I’m very happy I got to come here.
Manuel
The staff is good to me. The food is good, too. This is the next best thing to home. The staff are like friends and family. I lived my whole life on a farm and I’m glad I can still go outside when it’s nice out. There are places I can go around the building and I like to be outdoors.
Nate
I’m a quadriplegic and I have been hospitalized for about four months for a variety of problems. The most important one was for bedsores and lack of range of motion. I was in the hospital for that reason and my Medicare was at the end of paying unless I would go to what is called an acute hospital for further care. They sent me to an acute hospital, where I stayed from November 12 to December 13. During that time my sores were supposed to heal and my strength build up. But the sores got worse and there was no building of my strength. My time for Medicare was used up at the hospital as well.
I left the hospital with a stage III bedsore and came to Vallhaven Care Center. I’ve been here since December 13 and they have been working with me. The stage III bedsore is now at a stage I and is almost healed. They also are working to help me regain my strength, and I am, with the help of the rehab therapy department at Vallhaven.
I wish I had come here much sooner.
Richard
I have come to Vallhaven Care Center three times, and I was very please with the staff and with the therapy. Vallhaven feels very spacious – you can easily go up and down the hallways in a wheelchair with no problems. I like the fact that there is no carpeting in the rooms and the halls. The food is good, and they always have a substitute if you don’t care for the main entrée.
They arrange therapy around the activities, so if you want to attend you can. Vallhaven also has different areas I can sit and watch TV or visit. If there is ever a problem with anything, they fix it right away.
This was the second time that I had to be in the hospital for Christmas and then go to a nursing center, and I chose Vallhaven. The first time I had to go to a different facility because Vallhaven was full. One nice thing about Vallhaven is they have their own transportation with no cost when you are admitted.
I enjoy Vallhaven very much. The staff is very friendly and they make you feel like you are home. I like the idea that a person can bring your pet in to visit you, which makes the stay warm and friendly. They have a dog in therapy, which the people enjoy to play with. They also have a facility dog, and his name is Max. If people ask me about a nursing home, I tell them about Vallhaven and their great therapy.
I strongly tell people that Vallhaven is the best! I live in Appleton, and there are many nursing care centers in Appleton, but I chose Vallhaven Care Center. If I had to rate them, I would give them a 10!
Patricia
Walter “Wally” J. was admitted to Vallhaven Care Center after receiving a total knee replacement. Prior to his surgery, he was a very active individual. When he was admitted to Vallhaven, his goal was to be able to return home and do all of his favorite activities, like riding his exercise bike and golfing. He lived alone, so he had to be as independent in all daily activities as possible.
Wally worked very hard in physical and occupational therapy in order to relieve his pain, improve his endurance, increase his overall strength and get to the point where he could once again return home. When Wally completed his therapy, he was pleased to report that he was pain free and could ambulate independently with only the assistance of a cane. He was able to perform all of his daily activities independently.
Wally continues to visit the “therapy family” he found at Vallhaven and thanks them for giving him his quality of life back again. We look forward to hearing about his golf game next spring!
Tom O. was admitted to Vallhaven Care Center for rehabilitation due to significant urinary weakness. Within a 24-hour period, Tom would experience a urinary incontinence episode and needed to use the restroom approximately 27 times. He had difficulty sleeping at night due to frequency issues. Tom explained how his quality of life during this time was diminished, as it was nearly impossible to participate in facility activities.
At the conclusion of Vallhaven’s 10-week Urinary Incontinence Program, Tom demonstrated an over 50-percent reduction in frequency of urination and was not having any episodes of incontinency. Tom was thrilled with his post-therapy results, reporting a 38-pound loss of water in his legs and a stronger upper body.
“I would recommend the Vallhaven Care Center therapy team to anyone,” Tom said. “They did a great job.” He is happy to report that his quality of life has improved since rehab and that he is able to participate in activities again!
To start things off I’ve never broken a bone or had anyone in my family experience serious injuries. To wake up after being in a coma unconscious for almost a month, thinking you can puck up where you left off. I didn’t realize my muscles had depreciated in that short of time. When I woke up I thought I could take a pill and everything would be okay. That’s when I was taken to Vallhaven Care Center. During the first weeks of therapy, I realized muscles had to be strengthened and skills had to be learned again. I personally would question most if not all of the methods and techniques that were introduced to me. As it turns out, each and every one of the techniques turned out be effective and valuable. In a months time the improvements and benefits have been noticeable and at times almost over whelming. I am now at the point of being discharged. I feel more comfortable to what my future will bring. I am very happy with the work done in the department!
Tim B.
This was quite a journey. Therapy was great. I worked every day…that was my goal. Every one of the therapists was kind. The greatest group of therapists anywhere! If you want to reach your goal you have to work hard to get there. If you want to go home you have to work hard to get there. Therapy helped me and is the best thing I could have imagined here at Vallhaven Care Center. I looked forward every day going to therapy by all of the wonderful girls. I worked hard and had a fun time too!
Sharon S.
