Pathways Home Health Caring Stories

Instructions: To read the following caring stories in their entirety, please click the story title to be taken to that story's page.

Independence with a Little Help from Pathways

Sylvia van Zweeden has always been independent. A hard working single mother, she raised two daughters and bought her own house 30 years ago. When Sylvia turned 28 years of age, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and by the time she was 36 she was using crutches to get around. Within 12 years, she was confined to a wheel chair and had to leave her full-time work.

Coming Home

Before his recent stroke, 82-year-old Mr. Williams lived at home, independently. When he was discharged from the hospital, he still had trouble getting up from his chair and needed someone standing by when he walked. He was having trouble speaking and could no longer feed or bathe himself. His doctor ordered Pathways physical therapy at home.

The Fighter

Frances, a former boxer, was an active, vital man until he turned 70 when “everything fell apart.” A long-time smoker, Frances was suddenly hit hard by emphysema, followed by a bout of pneumonia that sent him to the hospital. He was too weak to lift his once strong arms and he believed he had “hit bottom and was going to die.”