Seventy-four-year-old Frances Reese is a retired schoolteacher from Spartanburg, South Carolina. She likes watching television, especially NASCAR races, football games, and her favorite soap operas. When not spending time with her son, she enjoys taking walks with her cat using a special harness so they can safely walk together.

Recently, Frances began experiencing chills and overwhelming weakness. Simple daily tasks became difficult, and she no longer had the strength or coordination to dress herself. Her son noticed she was confused and took her to the emergency room, where she was diagnosed with acute encephalopathy caused by an infection. Acute encephalopathy is a condition that affects how the brain functions, often causing sudden confusion or changes in thinking.

After her initial treatment, Frances chose Spartanburg Rehabilitation Institute (SRI) for specialized rehabilitative care because she had been a patient there before.

“I had a great experience during my previous stay and felt confident I would receive the same high-quality care again,” she says.

When Frances arrived at SRI, she was having difficulty walking and struggled with her balance. Everyday activities such as bathing and getting dressed were challenging, and pain from sciatica made movement even more difficult. Her goals on admission were to regain her balance, build strength, and return to the activities she enjoyed before her illness.

Frances worked with the hospital’s interdisciplinary healthcare team who developed a personalized treatment plan that included physical and occupational therapy. During physical therapy, Frances practiced stepping over obstacles, going up and down curbs, and walking around obstacles to improve her balance and confidence. “It was hard at times. I felt like I was going to fall, but the therapist held on to me and gave me a lot of encouragement,” she says.

In occupational therapy, Frances worked on improving her balance through activities such as balloon tapping and reaching for objects. She also practiced everyday self-care activities, including getting dressed and safely entering and exiting the shower, helping her build confidence while navigating wet surfaces.

“The therapist tried to make it fun, so I didn’t feel like I was working so hard,” she says. “They taught me little tricks on how to stay safe so I wouldn’t be nervous on wet floors.”

After about two weeks at SRI, Frances is able to walk up and down steps using her cane and safely navigate curbs. Although she was fearful at first, therapy helped her gain strength, balance, and confidence, allowing her to become more independent. She is continuing with outpatient therapy to further improve her mobility and help manage her back pain.

“I’m now able to walk safely with my cane and continue to build strength in my legs and arms,” Frances says. “My goal is to take walks with my son and my cat, and to feel confident getting out into the community more often so I can enjoy everyday activities again.”