For more than 70 years, Marie lived in her favorite city, San Francisco, enjoying life in a neighborhood surrounded by beautiful hills and vistas. But as she grew older, living alone in a big city became more challenging, especially after she broke her hip.
In February 2012, Marie had a fall that shattered her hip and left her with a host of medical issues. She needed both surgery and rehabilitation in order to be able to walk again.
Marie's closest relatives, her nephew Dave and his wife, Denise, stepped in immediately to help. But Dave and Denise lived an hour south of the city, in Los Altos Hills, and they knew that if they wanted to be involved in Marie's day-to-day care, they would need to live closer to each other.
Denise contacted the Senior Health Program at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, just a short drive from Denise's home.
"The staff at the center was amazing," recalls Denise, who used the team's expertise to help make all the necessary arrangements for her aunt.
Marie was able to complete her rehabilitation at El Camino Hospital Los Gatos, where, Denise says, Marie received excellent care from a dedicated team of therapists and doctors. Once she was walking again, Marie then moved into Belmont Village, a senior living community in nearby Sunnyvale that provides different levels of care for older adults, depending on the need of the resident.
Throughout the entire process, the Senior Health Program provided guidance, easing the transition for Marie, who had never lived anywhere other than San Francisco.
"Dr. Patrick Kearns checked in with us all the time," says Denise. "He helped connect us with other physician specialists as well, so that all of Marie's needs would be met."
Denise says her family couldn't be happier with the Senior Health Program. "They provide the kind of care that we wish we all could have."
Marie, Denise and Dave, thank you for sharing your family's Senior Health Program story with us!