Sandy Headington is happy to be independently living in her home again. Earlier this year she had a bout of covid that was followed by Rhabdomyolysis, which is a virus that causes muscle tissue to breakdown at an alarming rate. The illness put Sandy in the Hospital in La Crosse, WI, for several days and took away her ability to walk more than 3 or 4 steps at a time and to live independently.
Sandy chose to come to Aase Haugen for skilled rehabilitation. From day one of her arrival, everyone was working toward the goal of sending Sandy home. “When I came here, I could barely walk and I was worried about getting stronger, and this was the best decision I could have ever made,” says Sandy. She chose Aase Haugen over other area facilities because they offer highly successful specialized skilled rehabilitation and restorative therapy to help folks recover from illness or surgery so they can get back home.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything more than the great therapy and care I received at Aase Haugen seven days a week,” says Sandy. “I was amazed I could walk out of there and stay on my own again in my own home. Everything was good from the skilled therapy staff, CNAs, and wonderful nurses – like Jenifer Mtisi – right down to the tasty food – it was a positive experience for me, and I recovered in just seven weeks!”
Northern Iowa Therapy partnered with Aase Haugen in 2024 to provide specialized therapy 5 days a week at the nursing home. “Many people have a negative thought about nursing homes, but skilled care can be a lifesaver for people who need help to recover from illness or injury,” says Robyn Hanson, PT, with NIT. “Sandy is a good success story, and we customize therapy on many different levels for many different people through Aase Haugen, with a goal of helping them become stronger so they can return home.”
Sandy’s therapy included physical and occupational therapy five days a week and on weekends the Aase Haugen restorative therapy team made sure she to keep her moving forward toward a successful recovery.
“Not only did the therapy build my strength back, but it also built my confidence up and I would recommend this program to anyone,” says Sandy.
Sandy has lived in Decorah most of her life and has two daughters, five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. “If I want to keep going, they’ve taught me that I’ve got to keep exercising and that’s especially important now as my seventh great-grandchild has arrived!”
To learn more about skilled recovery at Aase Haugen, contact our resident advocate, Hunter Drenth at 563-382-3603 X103.