“You rescued me”: How Short Term Restorative Care makes all the difference for seniors

Faith McKinnon

Faith is the type of person whose name suits her perfectly.

As soon as she became eligible for a Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) program, she was determined to make the most of the process – and have a little bit of faith along the way.

The eight-week program aims to get individuals moving and retain their independence after injury or illness. Faith made such great progress throughout the short program that she had her Wellbeing Manager, Monique, double-checking some of the results in disbelief.

“Faith made such positive improvements in mobility, balance and strength that one task, her sit-to-stand, improved by 225 per cent,” Monique explains. “I had to double check the calculation – but it was right.”

This is how 76-year-old Faith made the very most of her STRC program, and the incredible results she saw.

A tricky history

For two years, Faith had hardly been able to move. A history involving a car accident and a series of back operations resulted in a lengthy, slow recovery, with incredibly limited mobility and a great deal of pain.

However, she was very keen to sign up to the STRC program and change her life for the better – and Monique knew that Faith was immediately adamant that she would make improvements.

“Such a positive attitude made her really easy to engage with, and we worked together to nut out the best outcome for her every step of the way,” Monique says.

Faith was impressed at the speed with which Monique was keen to get in and sort everything out, and grateful for the assistance offered right away.

“Monique has been brilliant, you couldn’t get a better person and she got things going as fast as possible,” Faith says. “She is so down to earth and so sensible.”

Forming goals together

The STRC involves extensive goal setting; at Feros Care, we then work together to match the individual with the right care program and experts to help them achieve those goals in a short period of time.

For Faith, it was simple – her husband loved her homemade cakes. But with such limited mobility, she was unable to bake. Even if she did, she would have to get all the ingredients together in the morning before sitting down.

“He would get his cake but in 2 stages, as I’d have to finish mixing it and putting it in the oven in the afternoon. I simply could not stand up long enough,” Faith details.

Monique arranged a physiotherapist for Faith, who came every Monday and gave her exercises to do throughout the week. Podiatry and aids were also taken care of, such as a walker, a shower chair and handrails.

“We found out what I couldn’t do, and we worked on it until I could do it,” Faith sums up.

The difference? Enormous.

“I can not only make a cake in one go now – I can do a slice at the same time!” Faith exclaims. “My husband was making all our meals. Now I’m making our meals. I can even iron. There’s lots more I can do, whereas I could do nothing before.”

Faith’s top tips for success

All in all, Faith’s life has improved tremendously from prior to her eight-week program. “You rescued me,” she says simply. “If anything went wrong again, I would immediately contact Feros Care.”

She has some advice for anyone else who thinks an STRC program might be a good fit for them, but not sure how to make the most of it.

“If you are given help like I have been, do your part,” Faith encourages. “Don’t just depend on other people to do everything for you. Do what they ask you to do even when they’re not there.”

And of course… it’s always important to have a bit of faith.

“Even if you’re in a bad way, you don’t say – poor me. You say, I’m going to get better. Never give up. Just look at me – I know what to do. I keep doing it. And life is absolutely better for it.”