Third Time's a Charm
A knee replacement patient gets back on his feet with Meridian Home Care Gold Standard in Therapy plan.

"Meridian Home Care nurses and therapists are absolutely the best," says Fred Worman.

Fred Worman, a knee replacement patient from Brick Township, requested the Meridian Home Care Gold Standard in Therapy program after his most recent surgery at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. It was Fred's third knee replacement. The procedure became necessary after a workrelated injury to his second replacement last November.

Fred was confident in his decision to receive home care, even though this replacement was slightly more complicated than the last two. "My doctor, John Tozzi, M.D., originally suggested inpatient rehab, but I'd already had Meridian Home Care twice," says Fred. "And I knew their nurses and therapists are absolutely the best."

The Meridian Home Care Gold Standard in Therapy program provides a comprehensive range of physical, occupational, and speech therapies. The plan offers highly individualized at-home programs for orthopedics, neurological conditions, language and swallowing troubles after stroke, and many other therapy and rehabilitation services.

Like all Meridian teams, Fred's home care team consisted of specialty-credentialed therapists. These professionals performed treatment in accordance with his doctor's written instructions. And when the new knee seemed warm to the touch, a member of Fred's team called Dr. Tozzi immediately.

While a doctor's visit proved there was no infection, Fred was pleased his team was willing to take action. "They didn't just tell me not to worry about it," he says. "It confirmed I was in good hands at home."

Fred's desire for home care echoes the wishes of many patients who prefer to recuperate in familiar surroundings and the company of their loved ones, says Cathy McCudden, R.N., director of Sales and Marketing, Meridian Home Care. Not only does home care provide comfort, she says, but "studies have proven that at-home care is more cost-effective than long hospital stays or inpatient rehab."

Ultimately, Fred's decision paid off and he's happy with the care he received: "Even my doctor was impressed with how quickly I was up and around."