Bo Simpson’s story: Recovering from a fall and pneumonia

Bo Simpson was riding through his farmland in a golf cart with his wife, Sue, enjoying the scenery and checking on their land. As the 93-year-old stepped out of the cart, he fell and injured his hip. Sue immediately called out to their sons for help.

They got him back home, but his daughter-in-law, Cindy Simpson, noticed he was not doing well.

“He was shaking and shivering, and I just made a quick judgment to call for help,” Cindy recalled.

A sudden fall leads to complex health challenges

After the medical team arrived, Bo was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. There, he was diagnosed with a broken hip, pneumonia and pulmonary embolism, a blood clot that blocks blood flow to the lungs.

“His hip fracture didn’t require surgery,” Cindy said. “We’re not sure whether the fall was related to the pneumonia and pulmonary embolism, but we are so glad those conditions were discovered and that he received the treatment he needed.”

After five days in the hospital, Bo needed additional care to get him back to life on his farm.

Choosing inpatient rehabilitation for recovery

Bo knew he would need additional support to rebuild his strength. His goal was simple: to walk again and return home to his family.

His care team recommended Rehabilitation Hospital of Atlanta to help him regain his strength and mobility.

Cindy said the family felt confident in the recommendation. They knew several people who had received care at an Encompass Health hospital and had heard positive feedback about the quality of treatment.

Relearning to walk with a multidisciplinary team

 

Once he arrived at Rehabilitation Hospital of Atlanta, he began pulmonary rehabilitation. He worked closely with a multidisciplinary care team that included physical, occupational and respiratory therapists.

“His care team was amazing, and we were so impressed by the level of care they provided,” Cindy said. “We watched how they supported him through every step, and it made all the difference in his recovery.”

Cindy said his respiratory therapist closely monitored his oxygen levels during therapy sessions to help track his progress and support his ability to breathe independently.

Bo’s care team also tailored his therapy to help prepare him for daily activities after discharge.

“His physical therapist, April, was awesome,” she said. “He even got a chance to take part in garden therapy, where he planted tomatoes. One of the most helpful parts of therapy was practicing walking up and down the stairs. Bo and Sue have steps in their home, and he needed help lifting his legs and learning how to navigate them safely.”

Bo’s family also joined him during therapy sessions.

“The therapists invited us to participate in his therapy sessions, and we learned a lot,” Cindy said. “They showed us how to lift him and assist with his walker if he needed help.”

Returning home to continue recovery

At discharge, Bo celebrated his progress with his care team and family.

“The entire hospital was there cheering him on, and everyone was so kind,” Cindy said. “His therapist even gave him a hug goodbye after helping him in the car. It’s just those simple gestures of care that made a difference.”

Now, Bo is at home continuing his recovery with home health services and walks with the assistance of a walker. He is performing self-care tasks independently and looks forward to returning to his farm and working in his garden.

Bo said he is grateful for his care team at Encompass Health, who helped him get on his feet and back at home with his family.