Pictures from our Paw Parade & Pageant

Twice is Nice

When Anna Deni was making the decision of where to go for her post-surgical rehabilitation after her second knee replacement, she had no question that it would be Medilodge of Port Huron. Anna first came to Medilodge after her first knee replacement surgery. She thought she would be going home for her rehab, but friends and family felt strongly that she should go somewhere where she could have 24 hour care and top notch therapy to get her back on her feet quicker, safer and stronger than she could at home. When she arrived at Medilodge of Port Huron, she was struck at how caring, friendly and attentive the staff was; how beautiful the facility was; and how really, really good the food was! She found that the therapy staff was very encouraging and positive. They taught her the correct and safe ways to move, which helped her feel more confidant and safe. She was back on her feet much earlier than she ever thought possible. Anna appreciated the teamwork, positive attitudes and respect that the staff had for each other. “They are truly dedicated to their work and really care about the residents,” she says. Therapy was not some pushy, cookie cutter approach, but rather an individualized program that took her wants and needs into consideration. Anna was eager to reconnect with all the wonderful people she had met her first time at Medilodge of Port Huron and knew she would be well taken care of. She has kept in contact with many of them such as Donna, Nicole, Elyse, Amanda, Jennifer and Rose who made such a difference to her. She felt like she was going on a vacation with her friends at Medilodge, to relax, get better and eat well. To Anna, Medilodge of Port Huron turned out to be so much more than she expected. She found lifelong friends, laughter, encouragement, strength and hope. She loves the teamwork and positive attitudes that the nurses and staff have and feels bitter sweet about leaving at the end of her stay this time. She has enjoyed the Medilodge experience so much that she has decided to have her pet Pug, Sissy, become a therapy dog, and the two of them want to volunteer their time at Medilodge to help others feel better also. Anna knew she found a second home here, and didn’t’ think twice about where she was going for her post-surgical therapy the second time around. Twice IS Nice, at Medilodge of Port Huron.

Mamietta B. Feels Good! After having knee surgery and coming to MediLodge of Port Huron for Short Term therapy, she is leaving using a walker and feels stronger and more confident than ever before! In just 11 days, this transformation has lifted her spirits and motivated her in such a positive way. Mamietta declares “The therapy department is just fabulous. They don’t let you baby yourself. The staff is awesome, especially Ruthie and Nicole and Danielle who were assigned to me. I would not have been motivated to do the things they helped me to do and the staff was just so positive and believed in me. That helped me believe in myself and get excited to go home with confidence.” Mamietta explained how attentive and caring the staff was and that she felt safe and secure here. The food was good and she had no complaints. She loved the bedside manner of the staff. They were so courteous and caring, it really made a difference. She especially liked how neat and clean the place is. “That means something when people take care of things and have pride in their workplace”, she says. Mamietta plans to continue to recover at home doing the exercises and stretches she was taught and wants to come in without her walker later to MediLodge and personally thank everyone who helped her. She wants to let everyone know that she …FEELS GOOD!

Customer Service That Really Cares

Richard W. knew exactly where he was going for post-surgical rehabilitation after his knee replacement surgery. He knew because when his wife had been at MediLodge of Port Huron in the past, they loved how professional and clean the place was. They were impressed with the spacious private rooms, private showers and the fact that the staff is always friendly and attentive. “The food was pretty good and the staff was so professional” Richard states. “While I was here for my own stay, I experienced the same friendly and professional staff. The therapy folks are so knowledgeable and really helped me get back on my feet in no time.” Richard said he would not hesitate to recommend MediLodge of Port Huron to a neighbor or family member. Everyone there knew their profession and did it well. The feeling of “good customer service” really showed through.

John G. and His Harmonica Harmony

John G. didn’t know what to expect when he came to MediLodge of Port Huron. After Pneumonia and eye surgery, he knew he needed to get his strength back to be able to go home and get to work on his Blue Water Bridge artwork he has all planned out in his head. Although it was very out of his comfort zone to come to a skilled nursing center, he really appreciated how much he was treated like a gentleman and was able to keep his freedom. John exclaims “The staff was always ‘Johnny- on-the-spot’. The building is always so nice and clean and people really work hard at providing good service.” Therapy worked great in helping John become stronger and more confident. He felt like he is much more able to return to his assisted living apartment in a safer and healthier way. John was often caught “serenading” other Lodgers with his harmonica. At the age of 8 or 9, John was given a harmonica as a gift. He always liked music and he would practice and practice until he perfected the skill. “My Old Kentucky Home” was the first song he learned while riding home from school on the bus. If John found out that a person had a birthday coming up or just passed, he would come out and play “Happy Birthday” on his harmonica. “Silent Night” is another of his specialty tunes. MediLodge of Port Huron will miss the musical moments of John G., but we are all blessed to have had the chance to meet him. John admits that if he ever needs our services again, he would not hesitate to return to us. He really appreciated all the care and smiles that were given so freely by everyone. He went home feeling motivated, positive and full of life and energy.

I would just like to say that my stay at MediLodge of Port Huron exceeded my expectations!!!

I had a wonderful stay. I was very pleased with the staff and how they worked together as a team. From the first moment stepping through the doors everything was wonderful. The staff was very prompt with answering call lights and giving medications. Staff was always very kind and pleasant.

My family was able to schedule visits with no issues, and we had a very nice area to visit in. I would tell anyone looking for a place to recover or needing therapy to choose MediLodge of Port Huron, they are great at what they do!!

And one more thing, I loved the popcorn on Fridays.

Thank you!

Judy D.; Home is Where the Heart is

Judy has been a Lodger at Medilodge of Port Huron for over 4 years now. She went there after a hospitalization stay and was very happy to see how much the staff cared for her and her commitment to get better. She said she was immediately impressed by the atmosphere and how comfortable it was. Judy is a social creature who loves to help people and be involved in daily activities. She feels that the staff really make a difference in helping her live as independently as possible. As someone who worked in the service area, she understands how much a positive attitude contributes to a caring staff and a caring community. A few years ago, Judy’s family wanted her to come home and try living on her own.

Timothy B. was more than happy to come back to MediLodge of Port Huron when he found himself in need of therapy after recovering from a stroke. Mr. B. had a great experience last time and felt very comfortable returning. Timothy had some pretty ambitious goals to develop his strength and tolerance on a more aggressive schedule so that he could attend an important event in just a few weeks. He worked well with therapy staff to push himself in a safe and managed pace. “I would push myself and do more than was required, but the staff would supervise me and make sure I wasn’t hurting myself either”. This time at MediLodge, he has been able to recover quicker and with more strength than before. Timothy enjoyed the comfortable room and really valued his privacy. He appreciated the free WiFi so he could use his computer and phone without any issues. Although he did not take part in the many social opportunities offered at MediLodge of Port Huron, he took advantage of the time to work on his hobby of detailed model figurines. Everything was attended to in a comfortable and acceptable way, says Timothy. “I even got hooked on the Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. I appreciated the flexibility in the meals and the staff would even accommodate an occasional late night snack. Food was delicious and on time.” Overall, Timothy will be attending his event on time and stronger than ever, thanks to his dedication and the caring staff at MediLodge of Port Huron.

Jerry Corwin Write Up

Jerry Corwin has been a CNA with MediLodge and its predecessor the Evangelical Home since 1985. He brings compassion and hard work to so many during the midnight shift. His residents proclaim that he is “the best”. They describe his attentiveness such as making sure that Pat B. has her socks on when she needs to go to the bathroom so she doesn’t slip and fall. He thinks nothing of getting coffee for a resident on his way out of the building. He answers call lights quick as lightning and makes his patients feel so secure and cared for. He is a valuable asset to MediLodge and the staff and residents. Pat B. and Dorothy P. wish that he could train all the aids right from the beginning to show them all how to be great. Two residents share their gratitude toward Jerry: “Jerry, Thank you for all the wonderful things that you do. You are a wonderful gentleman. Medilodge needs more workers like you. Thank you ever so much. Your reward is waiting for you in Heaven.” - Pat B. “Jerry, Thank you for everything that you have done. Your kindness goes so very far. You have been there for me and have been a wonderful listener. You are easy to talk to and can be trusted. You are always kind to everyone and never talk bad about anyone. You never hold anything against anyone here at work. You are such a good person. If you were ever to leave, MediLodge would lose a very good person.” – Dorothy P.

When Kathy N. had a routine total hip replacement in January 2017, she developed multiple complications following the procedure. It was a perfect storm of maladies converging on me. As a result, her hip replacement had to be removed and she was put on IV antibiotics and faced with the fact that she could not go home by herself at this time. She had not planned for this turn of events. She was facing the fact that she had much healing and recuperation to do before she would be safe and healthy enough to go back home and care for herself. Kathy made the choice to come to MLPH for her rehabilitation and medical treatment. “I was hesitant to go to a nursing home center due to being in relatively young and active, in my mid-60. I had some preconceived notions of nursing homes from past experiences and I didn’t know what to expect in my situation. I was afraid I was never going to be able to leave or I would get sicker. When I first left the Hospital, I was unable to basically do anything for myself. I needed help to roll over, get up into a standing position. I needed people to help me move to a wheelchair and to go to the bathroom. I had a lot of anxiety about my physical dependence on others. I was very used to being very independent. However, what I found out was that the staff was extremely competent, compassionate, caring and went out of their way to make me comfortable, reassure me every day that I was improving every day and cheer me on. I know without the care and support of the nursing staff and therapy department of MediLodge of Port Huron, I wouldn’t be going home today after over 9 weeks of medical care here. I was really sick, and MediLodge helped me get better.” Kathy goes on to say: “My room was very spacious, I appreciated the private room, bath and shower within my room…it was a big plus. It helped add to my sense of dignity. The center is clean and attractive. I especially loved the new Java Lodge. I loved the atmosphere as a place where I could meet my visitors outside of my room and I felt like we were more relaxed and comfortable, like being in a nice coffee house. I liked that my visitors and I could enjoy a cup of flavored coffee or a special treat. The food in the Java Lodge is really good too.” Kathy was able to enjoy the new Revitalodge beauty and barber salon. “Joanne in the beauty salon was always willing to make time to fit me into her schedule to get my hair washed and curled. It helped me feel like a new woman every time! Which helps my self-esteem recovery and positive attitude during my stay.” Kathy will be facing more surgery in the future. “When I am able to have my final hip replacement surgery, I would not hesitate to come back to MediLoldge of Port Huron for rehabilitation and nursing again. I am now able to transfer from my chair to the bathroom, bed, a vehicle on my own. I am very confident in the abilities that I have acquired since I have been a Lodger here. I especially felt treated with dignity and respect at all times. My needs were met in a very timely manner. I would highly recommend MediLodge of Port Huron to anyone who is facing similar challenges; that they would find great care and committed staff to ensure that that you are on your way to recovery. I feel MediLodge of Port Huron truly encompasses their tagline of Recover, Rejuvenate, Revitalize and Return Home. Thank you to all the staff for helping to make my time here enjoyable and go by quickly. Your compassionate and caring attention made all the difference.”

Ron E., a recent therapy graduate, came to us with a broken femur 3 weeks after suffering a previous broken femur on his other leg from slipping on ice over the winter. While trying to rehabilitate at home, he had passed out and fell breaking his other leg. After surgery, he found himself needing the skilled nursing services that the MediLodge of Port Huron Wellness Center could provide. For a gentleman who was used to doing everything himself, it was hard to have to rely on strangers to help him with every day activities. However, Ron and his family were greeted with warm, friendly faces and encouraged to participate however they were comfortable. “We really liked the freedom that MediLodge of Port Huron gave us to help take care of him”, his daughter stated. Having his family able to be there and help, made Ron feel better about his recovery. They really got to know many of the staff and appreciated how helpful they were. The everyday care helped them learn how to assist Ron when he returned home, it helped the whole family to be on the same page. Even though Ron and his family were busy with therapy, they were able to participate with some of the many activities offered. “We really enjoyed getting to know the other people and Lodgers here, everyone was so friendly” Ron says. “We made Easter Eggs, listened to music and made hats. Ron explains “At first, it was painful just to move my legs a little, but after just 7 weeks, I can now walk around the whole building on my own.” The staff really proud of Ron’s progress as well. We enjoyed having Ron as a Lodger. “He is always smiling and joking and willing to work hard to get back home. It’s nice to see him come so far” states Jessica Jones, Marketing Director. “I think Ron now has the skills to go home and continue his therapy safely and with the knowledge of how to help him get healthy and strong again.” Ron also had compliments about the food. The food was really good and they even made special arrangements to accommodate his preferences. Ron’s wife and daughter often ate meals with him and commented “they sure give you plenty of food and it we especially liked the beef tips and burgers. They even found us ice cream when we requested it.” Ron really grew to become part of the MediLodge team and we will miss him. Congratulations, Ron, for getting back on your feet and on the road to recovery!