Expanded Funding Brings Special Tree Expertise to Medicare Patients

“I wish we had come here first,” shares Zong Mei, about her husband TiZhi’s long route to eventually landing at Special Tree for rehabilitation following a mild stroke this summer.

TiZhi, pronounced “T-Z”, is the first patient admitted to the Special Tree NeuroCare Center under a new funding source, Medicare Part A. Special Tree has provided outpatient therapy under Medicare Part B for years, but only recently pursued expanding Medicare funding for subacute inpatient care and treatment.

“We’re now accepting Medicare Part A at our Romulus NeuroCare Center,” shares Jack Richert, Vice President and Director of Referrals and Admissions, “and we’re excited to expand our expertise and care to more patients than ever before.”

Licensed as a Skilled Nursing Facility and one of Michigan’s earliest rehabilitation providers for traumatic brain and spinal cord injury, Special Tree is broadening services to offer neurorehabilitation for stroke, COVID recovery, and more.

TiZhi was admitted to the NeuroCare Center North in mid-August, after experiencing a stroke that had taken him through acute care at St. Joseph Hospital in Ann Arbor, followed by brief stays at other post-acute programs and then back to the hospital again before finally landing at Special Tree.

“He has made tremendous gains in just a matter of weeks here,” shares Jack.

Supporting him through every step of his rehabilitation journey, TiZhi’s wife, Zong Mei, wishes Special Tree had been approved to accept Medicare sooner so they could have been with the program right from the start.

“The Special Tree therapists really pay attention to their job,” she said. “They are very patient and encouraging.”

TiZhi has participated in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology five days a week along with ongoing nursing and medical care. In Physical Therapy, TiZhi is working on mobility, strength, balance, and safety.

“He went from walking with minimal assistance to just ‘contact guard,’” shares PT Emmalie Pringle. “Therapists are on hand and holding on for safety, but TiZhi is powering under his own strength and mobility.”

Occupational Therapy is helping TiZhi with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, transfers, and other important functions he will need to do when he returns home. Hannah Krzyske, OTR, and the therapy team have been working closely with Zong Mei to ensure she will know just how to assist TiZhi in the day-to-day.

“He does very well,” explains Hannah, “but needs reminders.”

She helps Zong Mei know what to look for to give him cues to move forward. Verbal and tactile cues help TiZhi know what he is doing and what to do when. She also notes that TiZhi’s strength, grip, and range of motion have all improved since he began therapy at Special Tree. Emmalie agrees.

“You’re making progress in all areas,” Emmalie says to TiZhi. “We just need to keep working with you and your wife so you’re safe to go home.”

Special Tree therapists have worked with the couple to help determine what challenges TiZhi may face at home, and what equipment and techniques might be needed to overcome them. In Physical Therapy, for example, TiZhi practices stepping up and down curb stops to prepare for entering and exiting his home. He and Emmalie leave the therapy gym to head outside and practice in the parking lot, even adding a board to help simulate the taller curbs in TiZhi’s neighborhood. Therapists train Zong Mei with just how to help TiZhi, so she can safely assist him once they are on their own.

Down the road, TiZhi and Zong Mei are hoping to spend time at a winter home in California. Recreational Therapist Kristin Claerhout has already provided Zong Mei with resources for travel.

“Once he’s cleared for flying and ready to take on a trip, I explained to Zong Mei that we can help her connect with our partners at Delta Airlines,” shares Kristen. Delta has made it a priority to ensure service and accessibility, even for people who face extra challenges.

“They’ve helped many of our former clients with accessible travel. I told Zong Mei, in a few months when they are ready, to give me a call and we’ll work with them on making sure TiZhi can travel safely and with ease.”

For now, the couple is just looking forward to returning home in the next couple of weeks. “It’s the little things you miss,” shares Zong Mei. “It’s human nature, you just want to go back to your normal lifestyle.”

TiZhi says his team at Special Tree “did a very good job” and he is focused on improving.

“I just want to keep working on getting better and better,” he explains. He is scheduled to return home by the end of the month.