Back on Track

Pat Cardona, PTA; Stephanie Gowen, R.N.; Jerry Skarbek; Melisa Shafer, PT; and Linda Bradley, OT

As a former Michigan school superintendent, Jerry Skarbek is used to being in charge. But following major back surgery at Memorial Hospital in August, he had to adjust to life as a “student,” with the staff of Memorial Home Care – Edwardsburg teaching him to walk again and perform other daily tasks.

Jerry, 72, needed help getting in and out of the shower, washing his hair and using the toilet. The physical and occupational therapy could have made, in some cases like using the bathroom, for a challenging experience for someone who has long been a longtime leader in his profession. Fortunately, it was anything but that, thanks to the caring and capable team of Home Care’s Pat Cardona, PTA, Stephanie Gowen, R.N., Melisa Shafer, PT and Linda Bradley, OT.

“They established a sense of trust fromthe start that put me at ease,” says Jerry. “I don’t think I would be as far along without them.”

To express gratitude for their three weeks of diligent work to help him get stronger and more independent, he ordered t-shirts for them that read, “Thanks … for having my back.”

“Jerry is one of many southwest Michigan residents who experience what we believe to be outstanding home care services. We may be small, but we treat every single patient with the best care possible,” says Clinical Manager Lisa Moore, R.N.

Jerry, who has five children and nine grandchildren, still has a long way until he’s fully recovered, but he’s walking on his own again and feeling confident about the future. He attributes a large part of his success to Memorial Home Care – Edwardsburg. “I couldn’t have been sent better people.”