Bringing Healthcare Home To You: Susan Morseman

For Susan Morseman, Cookeville Regional Home Health seemed like the only answer after she received what she calls “excellent care” at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.

Susan had a typical day until she walked back to her car, and hit some uneven pavement. She took a fall in a parking lot that harmed her hand and lower forearm. A bystander rushed to stabilize her until Putnam EMS arrived on the scene. EMS then took her to the Cookeville Regional Medical Center Emergency Room.

Morseman’s son, Richard, who moved to Cookeville from their home state of New York, said positively, “If this would have happened in any other town, it wouldn’t have happened this way. We are from New York, and we know it wouldn’t have happened this way.”

Morseman’s fall caused a severe compound fracture and severed an artery, which required the work of three surgeons: Dr. John Turnbull, an orthopedist; Dr. Michael Sywak, a vascular surgeon; and Dr. Dale Guillory, a local plastic and reconstructive surgeon, to repair the damage.

“From the ER to surgery and recovery, the care I received was excellent,” Morseman said.

After her stay at the hospital, Morseman returned home to receive assistance from Cookeville Regional Home Health’s program.

“My son and I didn’t question which home health service to go with; it seemed like CRMC was the only right option,” Morseman said. “I was unable to do simple everyday tasks. I couldn’t dress, do my hair, or brush my teeth. You feel like you are helpless.”

She began receiving care from Cookeville Regional Home Health’s physical therapist, occupational therapist, the nurse and aide.

Lizbeth Flores, CRMC Home Health aide, became Morseman’s other hand. For the last three months, she has visited the Morseman’s home a couple of days each week to help Susan with daily tasks.

Flores said, “I was her left hand when she couldn’t use hers. I taught her how to navigate her home and other locations in a safe way to try and prevent further accidents.”

After months of recovery, Morseman can now resume her regular, independent lifestyle after CRMC Home Health assisted her in recovery.

“These people in my home helping me recover have been here from the start and have been encouraging. My door is always open to them. They have helped me become myself again,” Morseman said.

Cookeville Regional Home Health has been serving the region for over 30 years. They hold a five-star customer service rating and scored Top 20% in the national Home Health Care Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) Benchmark and scoring above the national average for each HHCAHPS quality measure from the patient’s point of view. For more information on Cookeville Regional Home Health, visit www.crmchealth.org or call (931) 783-2941.