95-Year-Old Stroke Survivor Looks Forward to a Happy, Healthy Future at The Lakes at Litchfield

PRLog (Press Release) - Jan 07, 2010 -
PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. - At the ripe age of 96, Lawrence Allen feels like a newlywed.  The Lakes at Litchfield member has found a new lease on life since moving to the Pawleys Island Senior Living Community a little over one year ago.

Allen and his wife, Lottie, moved to South Carolina from Port Orange, Fla. after he suffered a stroke in May 2005 which left him paralyzed and blind on the left side of his body.  Lottie’s daughter and granddaughter convinced the couple to move closer to their homes in Pawleys Island.  The couple made the move and because of Allen’s difficulty performing daily activities, the pair moved into a local assisted living facility.

Despite two years at the facility, Allen saw little to no improvement in his condition and became dissatisfied with his lack of progress and access to programs that could help improve his quality of life, mobility and independence.  When he discovered The Lakes at Litchfield offered a comprehensive wellness program including in-house rehab, the Allens didn’t hesitate to make a move.

Many of us cannot imagine having to separate from our husband or wife when we need them most, but because of his decline in health, Allen was moved into a skilled nursing unit at The Lakes away from Lottie. The separation was difficult for both, but thanks to a revised care plan and a fortuitous meeting with The Lakes at Litchfield Wellness Coordinator Susan Parrotta, Allen saw an immediate improvement in his condition.

“Since moving to The Lakes, I’m physically stronger, and my medications have been reduced to nothing more than eye drops and two pills a day,” Allen said.  “The in-house rehab was a huge selling point for me, and they have been able to strengthen my left side.”

According to the Federal Citizen Information Center, older adults are prescribed an average of four medications.  So, how does a 96-year-old stroke victim beat the odds?   Lots of hard work.

In September 2009, Allen decided to see if consistent exercise could slow his declining health, so Parotta developed an individualized regimen for him which included recumbent bike exercises, upper body strengthening and even aquatic aerobics.

“When we started, working out was a challenge,” Parrotta admitted.  “His entire left side was paralyzed and he was blind in his left eye so it was difficult for him to stay on the bike without his foot falling off the pedals.  Our solution was to secure his leg to the bike and attach protective pads to the hard parts of the bike to avoid injury.”

Allen went to work quickly, progressing from daily 10-minute sessions on the bike to 30-minute sessions.  Satisfied with his progress, he asked for additional exercises and Parrotta quickly added curls, rows, dips and shoulder presses to his schedule to improve upper-body strength.  Shortly after, Allen was able to safely exercise in The Lakes’ heated, therapy pool.

His plight is all too common in today’s long-term care industry.  Although assisted living facilities and skilled nursing units are charged with instilling dignity and self-sufficiency in their residents, time and budget constraints can result in understaffed units, lack of quality programming and palliative rather than curative care.  

According to the Internet Stroke Center at Washington University, stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States.  To minimize Allen’s condition is to ignore the unique challenges stroke victims and their family members face when navigating daily activities that suddenly seem impossible to complete.

That’s why all 10 Senior Living Communities including The Lakes at Litchfield expect more from their employees and programs, and why Allen’s success story is both inspirational and attainable.

Parrotta’s routine, combined with a progressive care plan, healthy nutrition and an improved outlook on look made a significant impact on Allen’s quality of life.  But the biggest surprise was to come when one short month after beginning his exercises, he was able to move back in with his wife of 24 years.  

“My wife is such a pleasure to be around,” Allen said with a grin.  “It’s like being married for the first time.”


About The Lakes at Litchfield
Conveniently located 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach, S.C. and 70 miles north of Charleston, S.C., The Lakes at Litchfield is an all-inclusive, continuing care retirement community (CCRC) on Pawleys Island, S.C.  The community’s care-free lifestyle helps members live longer, healthier and happier lives by offering an array of amenities including maintenance-free living, daily fine dining, weekly housekeeping, a personalized wellness program and continuing-care health services.  Residents enjoy the security of a gated community and a 24-hour staff, and gain access to an active social calendar that includes special events and group outings.  

The community features a variety of floor plans including single-family cottage homes and condominium-style villas.  Assisted-living, memory-care and skilled-nursing units are also available for those who need to make a transition from independent living.  More information about The Lakes at Litchfield, owned and operated by Senior Living Communities, is located at www.Lakes-Litchfield.com.