Case Study: Sans Souci Q 3 2025
Concierge Name: Yosef Unger
Patient Name:  Charles D.
Patient Age: 74
Admission Date: 05/28/2025
Admitted From: Montefiore Medical Center
Discharge Date: 09/05/2025
Discharge To: Home
Length of Stay: 3 Months and 8 Days
Reason for Stay: Left Leg BKA (Below Knee Amputation) 
How Did This Patient Hear About Sans Souci: The Hospital Staff

Details of Experience:

Prior to coming to Sans Souci, Charles D., a Navy veteran, went through a difficult time. In 2023, a cholesterol blockage in his right thigh and lower leg began causing him significant pain. After scheduling a procedure to rectify that issue, in 2025, his left leg started to deteriorate. In April of 2025, he moved forward with his procedure but developed an infection, which hindered his ability to ambulate. He began walking with a stick, and after a while, he needed to hop on one leg. The limb was becoming gangrenous and was extremely painful.  He was barely able to get around. 

On the 23rd of May, Charles had an amputation to remove his left leg below the knee. After the amputation, the social worker in the hospital suggested four Rehabilitation Centers. They began researching rehabs and felt that the medical attention and rehabilitation weren’t up to par, until she toured at Sans Souci. She thought that it would be just like the other Rehabilitation Centers, but then she saw the robotic device the doctors used to check in on new residents. That’s when she realized that the medical attention would be what she had been looking for…she knew that this was where she wanted her husband to reNEWTM and rehabilitate.

On the evening of May 28th, Charles was admitted to Sans Souci Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. He was admitted as a left BKA (below-knee amputee). He was very weak and required a two-person assist for transfers. He doesn’t recall the first night clearly, since he had just come from the hospital and was exhausted. He wasn’t sure how the rehab experience would be, since it was his first time. That is, until he met Lidia, the charge nurse on his unit. In his words, “Lidia made me feel comfortable. She answered all my medical questions with a smile. All the CNAs were kind, professional, and helped to acclimate to the situation.”

The first two days were difficult. He had a lot of phantom pain at the amputation site, and due to the pain, he needed to do therapy in his room. After two days, he started feeling a bit better and went downstairs to the gym. He recalls how the therapists started him off at 15 reps; however, he wanted to push himself to do 100 reps. After the therapists realized that he wanted to do more, they pushed him and encouraged him to do so. He kept on adding more reps with the help of Mr. Kayode, his Occupational therapist, and Nana Ofori-Asiedu, his Physical therapist.

A week after beginning his physical therapy, Charles met with Todd Schaffhauser and Dennis Oehler, two amputees and gold medal Paralympic winners. Todd and Dennis’ invaluable support of CareRite’s Amputee Walking School and Comprehensive Amputee Rehabilitation Program brings an unprecedented level of success to Sans Souci’s amputee patients. He remembers how they came to visit him in his room and to check up on him. They told him about all their experience in helping amputees and were very honest about the process. “It will be hard, but with hard work you will get there,” they told him. “It wasn’t easy,” he says of being an amputee, “there were all sorts of things going through my head.”

After much hard work, on August 22nd, Charles was able to try on his new prosthetic leg. The following Monday, thanks to all the work and preparation for that day, he was able to walk with the walker by himself. On the Monday following that, he was able to go on a walk outside the building with his therapist.  

Charles was discharged home on Friday, September 5th. At the time of discharge, he was walking 300 feet using a rolling walker independently. The rehab team had supplied him with a commode, tub shower bench, and rolling walker for home use. He had been set up at home with a therapist twice a week, and he has been making considerable progress. Currently, Charles is working on his ability to walk with a cane. 

He credits the staff with supporting him throughout his journey. “The staff did an excellent job, and I would like to give them a big thank you,” he says. In the five-star Google review that he left, he wrote, “I’d like to thank Dennis and Todd for how much they helped me and motivated me to continue on my path to recovery. [They] did an excellent job, and I’ll never forget them for that.” Being in the Navy has impacted him, as well. “It taught me that there is no such thing as giving up and saying I can’t do.” 

Charles has taught us to keep on seeing things in a positive light and never to give up. We miss Charles and wish him continued success. We hope that he gets to follow his dreams of seeing the world and seeing more Broadway shows.

Case Study: Sans Souci Q 2 2025
Concierge Name: Yosef Unger
Patient Name: Elvis E.
Patient Age: 64
Admission Date: 2/15/2025
Admitted From: St. John’s Riverside Hospital
Discharge Date: 6/17/2025
Discharge To: Home
Length of Stay: 107
Reason for Stay: Vertebral Osteomyelitis
How Did This Patient Hear About Sans Souci: His Family and Doctors

Details of Experience:

Elvis E. was wheeled into the hospital at three o’clock in the morning on February 5th. A couple of weeks prior, he had gone to his doctor complaining of back pain and weakness in his muscles. His doctor had recommended that he go to a chiropractor, which he did for a couple of weeks. However, it did not seem to help. He had felt weaker, and at one point, he didn’t seem to be able to walk. He felt paralyzed. When he notified his doctor, he had been told to wait a couple of days and, if nothing changed, to go to the Emergency Room. The night that he called the ambulance, things had reached their peak. He was in extreme pain and couldn’t lift his hands.

When he came to the hospital, he was diagnosed with Osteomyelitis (inflammation and infection of the bone) in his spine. After two days in the hospital, Elvis underwent a procedure to facilitate the healing of his spine. After the procedure, the hospital told him that he would not be able to go directly home; however, he would have to go to a rehab facility to get his strength back. His family, along with his doctors, chose Sans Souci. With Elvis’ history of sepsis, they felt that Sans Souci, with its close proximity to local hospitals, was the right choice. After a couple of days of recovering, Elvis was transferred to Sans Souci on February 15^th.

Elvis doesn’t remember the first couple of days at Sans Souci clearly. “I was in a lot of pain and was taking a lot of medication. However, I do remember doctors and staff coming to make sure that I was doing all right.” Elvis wishes that it had been smooth sailing from there. However, two days later, he recalls Dr. Michelle Annabi-Rabadi, the Medical Director of Sans Souci, coming into his room with a few of the nurses. He had developed a fever, and the medical team found that concerning. He was transferred to Columbia University Hospital. After 3 weeks, during which he endured many MRIs and X-rays, the hospital was confident that he was medically stable, and he came back to Sans Souci.

Vincent Gonzales, the Physical Therapist, remembers when Elvis came back. “He was at Partial Moderate Assistance and needed assistance with sitting up and transferring to the wheelchair. He was unsteady on his legs due to weakness and had concerns regarding his pain.” As Elvis says, “I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t move, and I couldn’t lift anything. I felt paralyzed.” Elvis went through four months and 13 days of therapy during his final stay. He has many fond things to say about the staff. Vincent Gonzalez and Eric Moore were his main therapists. It wasn’t an easy process. It was slow and challenging; however, with a lot of patience, little by little, the therapy team did the impossible. It wasn’t just physical encouragement; it was the mental encouragement that helped him, and he thanks them for getting him to where he is today.

Elvis speaks highly of the nursing team as well. “It is a really nice place, and everyone is very nice and helpful. The nurses, aides, and everyone did their best to help me. I really thank everyone who helped me throughout this time.” On June 17th, Elvis was discharged home. He left walking with a walker and in much less pain. He still has some pain and weakness in his right leg and gets some therapy at home. Through all his trials, Elvis always managed to smile and bring happiness to those around him. We wish Elvis continued success and a full recovery. He has taught us resilience, strength, and friendship, and will fondly be remembered in Sans Souci!

Case Study: San Souci Q1 2025
Concierge Name: Yosef Unger
Patient Name: Lourdes J
Patient Age: 58
Admission Date: 11/07/24
Admitted From: St. Joseph’s Medical Center
Discharge Date: 12/03/24
Discharge To: Home
Length Of Stay: 26 Days
Reason For Stay: Total Hip Replacement 
How Did This Patient Hear About Sans Souci: Case Worker at St. Joseph’s Medical Center

Details of Experience:

Lourdes J was at St Joseph’s Medical Center after having hip replacement surgery. It was clear that she would require inpatient rehabilitation.  A few years earlier, her grandmother was in a nursing home, and that had not been a pleasant experience. The idea that she would need to go through something similar was worrying for her, consuming her thoughts. Also, having a family and a job, she enjoyed taking care of herself and others, and the idea of relying on other people for her basic needs was not her comfort zone.

About two years prior to that day, Lourdes was diagnosed with a sprained ankle after tripping in the street. To hasten the recovery, she started doing some physical therapy, which led to some unbearable pain. After a long year-and-a-half process, which led to much discomfort. She was diagnosed with osteoarthritis (a condition in which cartilage that cushions the joint has worn down) in her right leg, for which the solution was a hip replacement. Knowing that she had 23 steps going up to her apartment and lived on the second floor, she decided that the right place at that point was to go to a rehab community to regain all her strength. 

One stood out when Lourdes was given the options of various nursing homes. She realized Sans Souci was across the street from her doctor’s office. After looking into what people had to say online, she made up her mind. This was the place for her. 

After being wheeled into the Sans Souci, she was put into bed after a short ride from the hospital. Many people began coming in to say hi and welcome her. However, she was tired and in pain. All the anxieties that she had about her independence, as well as the experiences with her grandmother, bubbled up to the surface. All she wanted was to be left alone. 

The next day, after a good night’s sleep, Omar Garcia, the Assistant Director of Recreation, came in to introduce himself and set her up with some music. Lourdes recalls, “The nurses came in to say hi. I started to warm up to everyone. I got to know my roommate, and we had a great connection. I felt like I belonged here.”

Lourdes’s anxiety about her independence quickly dissipated. She said letting go of the pride she was raised with was a hard transition; she had to learn how to let others do for her. But everyone made it easier, and no one made her feel like a burden.

After a couple of weeks, Lourdes was ready to go home. The physical therapy team, especially Eric Moore and Nana Ofori-Asiedu, were fantastic. She never felt that they were pushy, but they always motivated her to do more and more. 

When the big day arrived, she was all set. She learned how to go up steps, something that she needed to do to get to her apartment. She was trained in how to use the rollator that she was given and to do car transfers. As happy as she was to go home, it was still bittersweet. All the friends that she made wouldn’t be coming home with her. However, they will always stay with her in her memory.

She had so many wonderful experiences in Sans Souci that she never wants to forget. She shared, “I remember the dinner with our chef. It didn’t feel like we were in a nursing home. It felt like a high-class Fifth Avenue restaurant. Everyone was made comfortable, and the food was fantastic. As well as painting with the artist. It was so enjoyable, and I was able to do something that I had never done before.”

She recalls the staff fondly: “Everyone had that compassion for the patients. They would come over and say, “Have a blessed day.” This made everyone happy, regardless of the reason they were there. All that care and all that compassion was amazing, and I wish I had had this experience for my grandmother.”

After leaving Sans Souci, Lourdes has made rapid strides in her continued therapy, as set up by the Sans staff. She is now walking with a cane only outside.

 We wish her all the best and continued success, and her many friends (residents and staff alike) will never forget the strength and courage she showed us daily.

Concierge Name: Yosef Unger
Patient Name: Oliver Ancruem
Patient Age: 36
Admission Date: 05/22/23
Admitted From: Jacobi Medical Center
Discharge Date: 09/06/24
Discharge To: Home
Length Of Stay: 1 Year and Three Months
Reason For Stay: Below Knee (BKA) (and later) Above Knee Amputation (AKA)
How Did This Patient Hear About Sans Souci: Case Worker at Jacobi Medical Center

Details of Experience:

In the last week of Spring in 2023, on a Monday afternoon, Oliver Ancruem was wheeled through the doors of Sans Souci Rehabilitation and Nursing, ready to begin the next step in his journey. He looked around and took it all in. He breathed in the fresh, clean air and could feel the staff’s positive energy. Feeling so welcomed by the friendly demeanor of one of our extraordinary CNAs, he made his way to a beautiful room in a place that he would come to love.

Oliver’s journey didn’t begin on that day. It started seven months earlier on a morning that felt like any other. Oliver left his house and buckled on his helmet. He swung his legs over his Harley-Davidson, turned on the engine, and sped off into the morning traffic. That is the last thing he remembers. He woke up four months later, on February 10^th, 2023, in Jacobi Medical Center. His family was grateful that he was finally awake and aware of his surroundings. As his sister filled him in on his missing memories, she mentioned to him that part of the recovery process required an amputation of his right leg. It was a difficult moment. However, Oliver recalls “feeling so grateful that I was alive.”

After a challenging experience at another nursing home and a return admission to Jacobi Medical Center, it was time for Oliver to find a new place to recover. His mother’s friend, a social worker in the hospital, mentioned Sans Souci. He looked it up on Google and knew “that it was the right place for me.” After settling in and beginning our rehab process, feelings of sadness started to gnaw at him. He saw many other patients, amputees like himself, practicing walking with prosthetics with the assistance of Todd Schaffhauser and Dennis Oehler, CareRite’s Gold Medal Paralympic winners whose invaluable support of our Amputee Walking School and Comprehensive Amputee Rehabilitation Program brings an unprecedented level of success to our amputated patients. Oliver started to turn into himself, playing video games and not socializing with others. Shortly after that, he befriended his roommate, and things began to turn around.

While at Sans Souci, he learned that he would require additional surgery to resolve complications from his initial amputation. He was readmitted to Jacobi on February 5^th. After the surgery, he returned to Sans Souci. It was an agonizing time waiting for the wound to heal. Two months later, on April 11th, the surgical site was completely healed, and Oliver was ready. Three days later, the big day arrived. With the assistance of Bill Uy from Sans Souci’s Rehab Team, Oliver, after 1 year, 5 months, and 17 days, put on his prosthetic and stood up on his own two legs. He finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel beginning to shine.

After that milestone, Oliver had a minor setback. Due to crossing his legs, he was not walking correctly, which was hindering the progress he was making. He underwent a hip replacement to correct his gait and needed some more time to recover. Oliver fondly remembers when his physical therapist, Bill, visited and cherishes the memory. Once he was cleared, he continued to progress by performing his therapeutic exercises, and on July 23^rd, he was able to climb his first flight of stairs since the accident.

Forty-five days later, Oliver was ready for discharge. While he enjoyed his time at Sans Souci and created many friends and everlasting memories, it was time for him to return home. He sorely missed hugging his niece and his dog and was so excited to go home to them and show them all the progress that he had made. With emotional goodbyes and promises to be back, Oliver made his way out of the building through the same doors he had come in, but with a different view, one of hope, a future, and one day, to getting back on the leathery seat of a motorcycle.

The Rehab Notes from that time read, “Resident made significant progress and functional gains with skilled intervention and was safely discharged home with his definitive prosthesis at his highest potential.” Oliver looks back fondly during one of his weekly visits. “The Rehab and Nursing Teams here are really on point,” he says. “The Rehab Team brings a great sense of humor and calmness into a serious environment. The nursing team does great with the wound care, and I have no complaints”. In the five-star Google review that he left, he added,” I’m going to miss this place, all the staff, and the fun activities they have in Recreations as well, and I would highly recommend this Sans Souci.”

Todd and Dennis shared the following…“We were amazed by Oliver’s recovery and remember when we first met him, and he could barely move. To see him walking in the community and mentoring our patients is incredible. We are so very proud of him and his accomplishments. He is the perfect example of Keep Moving Forward!!” says Todd. Dennis adds, “Oliver is the essence of the CareRite difference. Overcoming a year of rehab for all his devastating injuries and coming back to mentor all our amputees is extraordinary.”

Everyone at Sans Souci is proud of Oliver and always looks forward to his visits. We wish him continued success and look forward to seeing him back on that bike!

Concierge Name: Daniel Wolf
Patient Name: Kevin Johnson
Patient Age: 57
Admission Date: 02/16/24
Admitted From: t. John’s Riverside Hospital
Discharge Date: 06/26/24
Discharge To: Home
Length Of Stay: 130 Days
Reason For Stay: Right Below Knee Amputation
How Did This Patient Hear About Sans Souci: From the kidney specialist at St. John’s

Details of Experience:

Mr. Kevin Johnson arrived at Sans Souci Nursing Home and Rehab Center on a chilly winter morning, consumed by thoughts, worry, and doubt. After a brief recovery period at St. John’s Hospital, he began this next phase of his journey on February 16th.

A person can have many different thoughts after going through something as life-changing as an amputation, and Kevin wasn’t sure how to feel. “When I first came in, I really tried to keep to myself and do as many things as I could for myself. I stayed pretty quiet and just focused on my therapy each day to be able to go home as soon as possible,” Kevin shared. Mr. Johnson’s outlook on his circumstances completely shifted a couple of weeks later.

Mr. Johnson was uncomfortable with his new situation but adapted extremely fast. “Omar really helped me and encouraged me to get involved with different things that were going on in the community. We had a painting group where we all painted the same picture, and it was really cool to see the differences in everyone’s paintings. We also did some gardening and planting, which got me thinking about when I used to garden with my mother, and it brought back plenty of good memories,” Mr. Johnson explained with a smile. With some help from the staff and his newly shifted outlook, Kevin was ready to set some goals and accomplish them all. Along with his therapists, Kevin set goals, including walking with a walker twenty-five feet, putting on and taking off his prosthesis independently, and changing his dressings independently.

Only two weeks into therapy Mr. Johnson was making a ton of progress. He could change his dressings properly while only being supervised, and he could also progress from walking ten feet with maximal assistance to walking twenty-five feet with only moderate assistance. Kevin continued to stay focused on his goals, and currently, he is walking two hundred feet with a walker, and he can put on and take off his prosthesis without assistance. “There are so many great people down there in therapy. Vincent, Eric, Emily, Manuela, and Joel are amazing and greatly pushed me. They’re some of the most down-to-earth people, and that really helped me accomplish everything I wanted,” Kevin shared. Through all his progress, Mr. Johnson became a leader for many amputee residents. Kevin Johnson had an inspiring journey in Sans Souci and his impact quickly spread to staff and residents alike.

Mr. Johnson was discharged extremely excited, back to his home on June 26th. After a few ups and downs initially, Kevin quickly adjusted to his new surroundings, and he credits many of the staff with helping him feel comfortable. “Cassidy, Sherry, and Jamie are some of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met. Before I moved upstairs, Sherry really encouraged me and made sure I was focused on doing what I should be doing,” Kevin explained. “I started to shift my mindset with Sherry’s help on the first floor, and I just continued to progress with Jaime’s help once I moved upstairs.” The team can’t wait to see Kevin again when he comes to visit the many friends he made while in the community. The team at Sans Souci does not doubt that Kevin is an amazing person who will accomplish anything he puts his mind to. Best of health and good wishes.

Concierge Name: Daniel Wolf
Patient Name: Lascelles Callum
Patient Age: 68
Admission Date: 02/26/24
Admitted From: Mount Sinai
Discharge Date: 03/27/24
Discharge To: Home
Length Of Stay: 31 Days
Reason For Stay: Joint Replacement Surgery
How Did This Patient Hear About Sans Souci: Dr. Mehta

Details of Experience:

Mr. Lascelles Callum arrived at Sans Souci Nursing Home and Rehab Center on a chilly winter night in February. Before the surgery, Dr. Mehta spoke to Lascelles about the need for aftercare, and they spoke about Sans Souci. Mr. Callum had heard of this name a few times and even knew a former staff member, so he tried it out.

At first, Lascelles was unsure and uncomfortable with the new transition, but that quickly changed. “Naomi John, the nursing supervisor, was the first person I met, and she made me feel comfortable. After that, all the CNAs were friendly and accommodating, which allowed me to focus all my energy on therapy and getting better,” Mr. Callum shared. By the end of his first week, Mr. Callum’s attitude completely changed from how he felt when he arrived.

Mr. Callum’s first week was filled with highlights that helped him become comfortable with his new surroundings. “Bernice, the financial coordinator, met with me immediately and helped me figure out my insurance. She was an angel, and she could help me with everything I needed, which eased my anxiety a lot,” shared Mr. Callum. “Anytime I asked for anything, I was quickly taken care of. Omar Garcia was also instrumental in making me feel comfortable and hopeful for the future,” Lascelles explained. With all these positive experiences, Lascelles could enjoy the activities and focus appropriately on his therapy. With all this positivity in mind, he met with the Physical and Occupational therapy team and set goals to accomplish during his stay.

Two weeks later, Mr. Callum had achieved his goals and was already setting new ones. His initial goals included ambulating 75 feet, transferring out of and into the wheelchair, and being able to walk up 13 steps while being supervised. After two short weeks, Lascelles had easily conquered all of these goals. He could walk 150 feet while being supervised and perform transfers independently, only requiring set-up assistance. He was also able to walk up 13 stairs, a considerable improvement from not being able to ascend any stairs when he arrived in the community.

When asked how he could make so much progress so fast, Mr. Callum smiled and pointed to Christine Divinagracia, his Rehab therapist. “Christine was an amazing trainer. She would always push me to get better, and thank God I listened because now we’re going home,” Lascelles shared with a smile. Only one week after that, he had already crushed his second set of goals. With all the incredible progress under his belt, he could focus on discharging home.

Mr. Callum will leave Sans Souci Nursing Home and Rehab Center on March 27th. He is extremely excited to be returning home to his life and reconnecting with his friends. His daughter visits weekly and will be pivotal during this next transition to home. “At first, I was uncomfortable with all the changes, moving from my house to a nursing home, and all the work I had to do. After spending some time in Sans Souci with Christine teaching me what to do, and with Bernice and Omar constantly keeping my spirits up, I am confident in my ability to make this next transition,” Lascelles shared ecstatically. “I will miss all the activities, such as Omar bringing little animals, like goats and rabbits, to my room. I would wholeheartedly recommend Sans Souci to anyone who needs a place to recuperate and get back to normal,” Mr. Callum said.

After seeing what he was capable of in therapy, we have no doubts that Mr. Callum can accomplish anything he puts his mind to. We wish him nothing but the best in his upcoming chapter, and we can’t wait to see what Mr. Callum conquers next.

Concierge Name: Daniel Wolf
Patient Name: Christina Harris
Patient Age: 62
Admission Date: 09/15/23
Admitted From: White Plains Hospital
Discharge Date: TBD
Discharge To: Home
Length Of Stay: TBD
Reason For Stay: Muscle weakness & lack of coordination

Details of Experience:

Ms. Christina Harris arrived at Sans Souci Nursing Home and Rehab Center feeling slightly unsettled with her circumstances on September 15, 2023. Ms. Harris was transferred from White Plains Hospital, where they treated her well, but she still felt anxious about the journey ahead. She had fallen at home due to her muscle weakness and lack of coordination. Christina arrived at Sans Souci feeling uncertain but motivated to get going on the journey ahead. By the end of her first week, Christina’s entire mindset had shifted, and she was a whole new person.

Christina felt uneasy about her abilities when she first arrived, but that all changed quickly. When she was first wheeled into the community on a stretcher, a few nurses were sitting at the nurse’s station who waved and greeted her. This friendliness, along with Omar Garcia, a recreational therapist who was one of the first people she met, also made her feel a lot better. “Omar is a breath of fresh air; he helped me feel more positive and hopeful. Recreation is amazing, and Omar being one of the “first impressions” of the community is awesome,” she exclaimed, smiling. With all this renewed hope, Christina was ready to set some goals with the therapy team, including transferring out of bed with moderate assistance and walking 30 feet with a walker.

Only a few weeks later, Ms. Harris had crushed her goals and already established new ones with the therapy team. She went from needing maximum assistance with transfers to only needing minimal assistance. Christina also progressed from needing maximum assistance to walk 5 feet with a rolling walker to only needing moderate assistance to walk 60 feet.

“Melvin Panameno and Kristine Tan were a godsend; bonding with Melvin about growing up in Queens helped me keep my spirits up during therapy,” Ms. Harris shared. “Another moment that stuck out during my stay was the Dinner with the Chef. It was an amazing dinner, and Omar gave a heartwarming speech about how we’re all one big family. I even began to cry thinking about my roommate, who was leaving the next day,” Christina said. Ms. Harris may have arrived feeling uncertain, but now she definitely feels like part of the family.

Ms. Harris will be discharged home in the next few weeks and will only need a few hours of assistance from an aide at home. She is extremely excited about returning to her life and seeing all the friends who supported her throughout her stay.

Christina lives in a close-knit community that she can’t wait to return to. “The advice I always give is to get involved with what goes on in the community. You never know what kind of impact any staff member can make unless you’re open to it,” Christina shared. We hope to see Ms. Harris soon to visit all the friends she made in the community, both staff and residents.

We know Ms. Harris will continue to spread positivity in whatever she does, and we wish her the best.

Concierge Name: Daniel Wolf
Patient Name: Luis Lugo
Patient Age: 64
Admission Date: 09/05/23
Admitted From: New York Presbyterian
Discharge Date: TBD
Discharge To: Home
Length Of Stay: TBD
Reason For Stay: Right Below-knee amputation
How Did This Patient Hear About Sans Souci: Daughter spoke to our amazing marketer

Details of Experience:

Mr. Luis Lugo arrived at Sans Souci Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on a surprisingly sunny day in September. He arrived from New York Presbyterian Hospital on September 5th, ready to face his upcoming journey. The hospital helped Mr. Lugo immensely with preparing himself mentally for the ups and downs he was about to face. He spent three weeks in the hospital and has nothing but nice things to say about the staff. “There was an ambulette driver that I was very close to, and the staff there treated you so well that you would never want to leave,” Mr. Lugo shared. Mr. Lugo arrived with a right below-knee amputation, motivated to put himself first for once. Little did anyone know that his situation would get worse before it got better.

Within his first few days at Sans Souci, Mr. Lugo lost his brother, and his motivation quickly dissipated. He couldn’t focus on his journey ahead while trying to process this huge loss. This all changed when Luis met his roommate, who, surprisingly enough, had the same name as his brother. “After I heard one of the therapists say my roommate’s name, it’s like a switch flipped inside me. I became very protective over him, and I could finally focus on myself again,” Mr. Lugo said with a smile. This renewed Mr. Lugo’s motivation to progress and focus on himself. Luis met with the therapy team, and together, they identified some goals he could achieve quickly. This included improving strength in both his legs individually and transferring himself with little supervision. With his new goals in mind, Luis was ready to do anything necessary to return home.

After only three short weeks at Sans Souci, Luis had crushed his goals and already set new ones with the therapists. He improved the strength in both legs from a 2/5 to a 4/5 to prepare himself for working with a prosthetic. He also improved his transferring abilities to the point where he is completely independent. When speaking about his progress, Mr. Lugo can’t help but mention his therapists, Eric Moore and Christine Divinagracia. “These therapists really keep you on track and moving. They push you to do anything you can, and they’re amazing at keeping your spirits up,” Mr. Lugo shared.

When Luis first arrived, he didn’t have a great mindset. The difference between his mindset then and now is like night and day. Therapy quickly became Mr. Lugo’s favorite part of the day, and he became solely focused on getting strong enough to go home. Luis Lugo will be returning home one day within the next few weeks as he continues to take strides every day in therapy. He won’t require any services at home, and he is ecstatic to get back to his wife and two kids. Luis may have experienced some dark times at Sans Souci, but it will always hold a special place in his heart. “Sans Souci has been really great. There are so many staff members who love to be happy, and they encourage the residents to be happy as well. All the staff work together to keep the residents okay and in good spirits. The conversations and interactions between the staff can often be better than what’s on TV,” Mr. Lugo shared, smiling. Luis has always been a very well-thought-out individual and someone who always did things for himself. The staff at Sans Souci have absolutely no doubt that Mr. Lugo will take everything he learned here and continue to improve his mind and body like he always has.

We wish him nothing but the best and await the positive updates that will inevitably come from him.

Concierge Name: Daniel Wolf
Patient Name: Jamie Randol
Patient Age: 80
Admission Date: 05/22/23
Admitted From: St. John’s Riverside Hospital- Dobbs Ferry Pavilion
Discharge Date: TBD
Discharge To: Home
Length Of Stay: TBD
Reason For Stay: Tendon Tear in the Right Thigh
How Did This Patient Hear About Sans Souci: Dr. Mehta

Details of Experience:

Ms. Jamie Randol arrived at Sans Souci Nursing Home and Rehab Center after an up-and-down few weeks, on May 22nd, 2023. She had undergone a knee replacement just a short time earlier in St. John’s Riverside Hospital. Ms. Randol worked hard daily to improve, and progress quickly began to show. One day, however, Jamie suffered a fall and tore a tendon in her right thigh. It was extremely difficult for Ms. Randol started the process of therapy and healing all over again. With the help of her surgeon, Dr. Mehta, she began moving forward once again. Jamie always kept her eyes on the prize and stayed focused on what it would take to go home. With Dr. Mehta’s recommendation, Ms. Randol decided that Sans Souci was the best possible next step in her journey.

When Ms. Randol arrived at Sans Souci, she was a little uncertain about adjusting to a new home and beginning the process again. “I recall sitting outside and watching people walk by, and I would think, they don’t know how lucky they are. However, the nursing aides were all extremely helpful in making me feel comfortable and confident in my abilities,” Jamie shared. Ms. Randol also credits her roommate with helping her feel comfortable from day one. “My roommate and I bonded from the first day,” she explained. “She has been amazing; we always hang out together and help each other through this difficult time”. With encouragement from the staff and her roommate, she was ready to set goals. These goals included helping her stand supported for at least thirty seconds and transferring on her own.

Ms. Randol first arrived at Sans Souci unable to stand while supported and totally dependent on staff to help her move around. Three weeks later, Ms. Randol could stand for five straight minutes while only receiving a little support. She can also complete functional transfers with good safety awareness, with only moderate assistance.

Jamie can’t stop talking about her therapists when asked about pivotal people in her journey. “Kristine and Melvin are so amazing and helpful. Whenever I go to the gym, I never wait for the staff to notice me. They know that I’m coming, and they know what we’re going to try today. They also allow me to guide the services towards what I feel I may need”. Ms. Randol also loves going to activities with her roommate and other residents. The daily chronicles given out in the morning and bingo almost every other day also motivates Jamie to get up and go each day.

Ms. Randol will be discharged home before July 4th, after which we can arrange an aide to help her at home. She is extremely excited to return to the tight-knit community that she calls home. She is so happy to see all her neighbors who have been instrumental in caring for her belongings while she’s been improving. Jamie is a bit nervous about going home again and being completely independent, but the therapists have prepared her well. “Everyone from the therapy staff to the recreation staff always made a huge deal about my therapy accomplishments,” She shared. “This always encouraged me to keep going and feel confident in my own abilities to act independently.” These things allow Jamie to feel comfortable with the prospect of living alone.

We wish Ms. Randol nothing but the best and hope she continues to succeed in her journey.

Concierge Name: Daniel Wolf
Patient Name: Marcena Pollitt
Patient Age: 89
Admission Date: 01/19/23
Admitted From: NYU Langone Hospital
Discharge Date: 03/30/23
Discharge To: Home
Length Of Stay: 74 days
Reason For Stay: Right Above-Knee-Amputation
How Did This Patient Hear About Sans Souci: Our Exceptional Marketer

Details of Experience:

Ms. Marcena Pollitt arrived at Sans Souci Nursing Home and Rehab Center on January 19th, 2023. After a sudden accident, and a tumultuous stay at NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn, Marcena was faced with a decision. She could either amputate her leg or continue trying to make it work, keeping both of her feet. After two weeks, Marcena and her family decided to proceed with the right above-the-knee amputation. Marcena was also inspired by another resident in the hospital who had just experienced an amputation of their own. “I looked out into the hallway one day, and I saw this resident running down the hallway. He had just undergone an amputation but was running down the hallway at full sprint. This really showed me how close I could get to one hundred percent, and motivated me to get there,” she shared. Her daughter then received a call from three-time paralympic gold medalists, Todd Schaffhauser and Dennis Oehler. After speaking with Todd and Dennis, Ms. Pollitt and her family decided that Sans Souci was the only home for her.

When Ms. Pollitt first arrived at Sans Souci, she was feeling a little unsettled. She thought the community and staff seemed nice, but she didn’t really know what to expect. She had questioned our amazing marketer and Dennis and Todd about some things she could expect to see in the nursing home. However, she was still in a bit of a fog when she arrived and was feeling anxious about the road ahead. The first people Marcena met were her amazing therapists, and they helped to put her at ease. “My therapists saw me within my first few hours in Sans Souci. They discussed my therapy plan and explained what my daily schedule would look like,” Marcena explained. Together with the therapists, Marcena created some reachable goals for the beginning of her stay. These goals included walking or hopping 150 feet with only modified independence, and performing sit to stand transfers with contact guard assistance. By the time her second week rolled around, Marcena had crushed her goals and showed no signs of slowing down.

Only three short weeks later Ms. Pollitt had accomplished her goals and sat down with the therapists to establish new ones. She progressed from being able to sit-to-stand transfer with minimum assistance and 25% verbal cues from therapists to standing on her own with a therapist for stand-by assistance. She also progressed from needing minimum assistance for transfers out of her wheelchair, or out of the bed, to needing only standby assistance. In the beginning Marcena needed minimum assistance and 50% verbal cues to ambulate 30 feet. After just two weeks, she could ambulate 50 feet with only contact-guard assistance.

Two weeks after that, she progressed to ambulating 75 feet completely independently. When asked who really impacted her stay, Marcena smiles and points to the recreation staff. “Omar and Jennifer in the recreation department are wonderful. They’re always around to offer encouragement and activities. They have been so gracious about providing me with art supplies and other things to do” Marcena shared. “I also can’t say enough about the therapy staff. Kyra, Christine, and Juliana are wonderful and very kind. They’re very encouraging, but they never push too much. With some light coaxing from them, I began to push myself, and it showed”.

Ms. Pollitt and the team could not be happier with her quick journey, especially because her children are waiting for her at home. Ms. Pollitt will be leaving Sans Souci on March 30th, 2023. She is very excited about going home but a little nervous about the upcoming changes. There are many things that she’s never had to think about before, such as which side of the bed to get off or which foot to put down first. This worries her a little, but just as with everything else she’s done, we have faith that Marcena will figure it out. She has been through a lot in the past few months, and she’s still able to keep calm and stay level-headed. No matter what was happening to her, she always encouraged others to try harder in therapy. She’s even already set up where she will go for therapy once she leaves Sans Souci. Marcena has always been a very independent person, and we have full confidence in her abilities. We can’t wait to watch her continue to progress and inspire people at home.