Woman sets Thanksgiving as rehabilitation goal - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

An Indianapolis woman is working extra hard at her rehabilitation to get home for Thanksgiving.

The routine is the same every morning. Sue Melton wheels herself down the hall for an hour-and-a-half of therapy at Rehab at Harcourt Terrace. The 74-year-old foot surgery several weeks ago and is still not steady on her feet.

"If you strengthen your legs, your balance will be better," Melton said.

A key component of her foot rehab is to improve her upper body strength.

"Since she is non-weight-bearing, it's hard for her to walk right now, so her chair is sort of her means of transportation," said occupational therapist Staci Bordner.

She needs the upper body strength to operate the chair and pull up. Sue says she feels stronger and more steady everyday. It's endurance work to be independent.

"I am a widow, I live alone, I am going to this new apartment, but I want to be able to do things. I'm not ready to just sit in a chair," she said.

Structured rehab improves outcomes. Sue's goal now is to leave the chair behind on her discharge day.

"I have a lot of things I want to do," she said.

And in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family.

WTHR-American Senior Communities Health Fair

You can learn more about comprehensive rehab programs in central Indiana, plus get a flu shot and free health screenings Saturday at the WTHR-American Senior Communities Health Fair. Anne Marie Tiernon will be there from 9 a.m.-noon tomorrow at the Community Health Plex on Guion Road.