Submitted photoArchbold’s Glenn-Mor Nursing Home (GMNH) in Thomasville offers sub-acute rehabilitation treatment. Archbold’s sub-acute program is a bridge of treatment for patients between a hospital stay and returning home, and provides patients access to Archbold specialists, services and specially trained nurses during their stay. Shown is James Wyche, a recent sub-acute patient, during a physical therapy session at GMNH.

A patient’s first entry to the hospital is generally called an “acute” care admission. The intent is for the patient to heal and steadily regain their health until they’re able to return home.

But sometimes an extended period of recuperation is needed. And though the patient may not require extensive inpatient hospital care, they may be referred by a doctor for a “sub” acute care stay at an Archbold nursing home (also referred to as a long-term care facility) or one of Archbold’s system hospitals throughout the region.

Archbold’s three long-term care facilities and system hospitals — Glenn-Mor Nursing Home in Thomasville, Mitchell County Hospital and Mitchell Convalescent Center, both in Camilla, Pelham Parkway Nursing Home in Pelham and Grady General Hospital in Cairo — offer subacute services for patients close to home, and ensure an easy transition from hospital to home.

“Archbold’s subacute program helps patients who need a bridge of rehabilitation treatment between a hospital stay and returning home,” said Josh Moore, vice president of operations at Archbold. “A subacute care stay at one of our long-term care facilities or system hospitals helps provides patients that extended period of time to fully recuperate without the cost of staying in a hospital.” 

Patients at these facilities have access to Archbold specialists, services and specially trained nurses and therapists who create personalized therapy plans based on the individual patient’s needs.

“Our system hospitals and nursing homes have newly renovated therapy gyms. They’re equipped with modern rehabilitation equipment and highly skilled therapists that help patients recover from their illness and return home to function independently,” said Moore. 

Though a common misconception is once a patient is admitted to a nursing home for subacute care, they will remain there permanently, that’s really not always the case.

“For most patients, the end goal of subacute rehabilitation is to restore form and function and regain the ability to complete daily tasks without difficulty,” said Moore.

James Wyche’s recent experience with Archbold’s subacute rehabilitation program is evidence that patients are seeing very positive results. Wyche was a patient at Archbold Memorial Hospital in Thomasville with a diagnosis that decreased his level of functioning. His doctor recommended subacute treatment to help complete his rehabilitation. Wyche chose Archbold’s Glenn-Mor Nursing Home for subacute treatment.

Under the medical supervision of Archbold Primary Care physician Kimberly Pickens, MD, Wyche completed 100 days of therapy at Glenn-Mor. He entered GMNH in a wheelchair with a goal of returning to his prior level of functioning— driving, going to the YMCA and getting around with an assistive device.

After his intensive rehab treatments, Wyche was walking with a walker.

“I honestly thought I’d be confined to a wheel chair much longer,” he said. “But the constant encouragement from the therapists helped me progress quickly. The staff was friendly and inspiring. They treated me like a king. I was so glad to be better.”

“James was a model patient,” said Cynthia Vickers, administrator at GMNH. “He was determined to get better and recover. And he used every available resource to accomplish that goal.”

“Glenn-Mor’s facilities are top notch. The new therapy gym is nice, the facility is clean, and the food was amazing,” Wyche said. “I actually left a few pounds heavier. They treated me so well. I would recommend Glenn-Mor Nursing Home to anyone looking for a rehab facility or a long-term care facility.”