A Clap Out FOR CHCC

When Carol McGough was ready to be discharged from Christian Health (CHCC) following inpatient short-term rehab to recover from COVID-19, she politely declined a clap out from staff.

“My discharge isn’t about me. It’s about the people who work here. The spotlight should be on them. They are incredible, the absolute best,” says the 75-year-old Saddle Brook resident, who expressed her thanks to her CHCC caregivers by arranging a meal for them.

Mrs. McGough was hospitalized for COVID-19 in late April.
“Honestly, I was so surprised,” she says. “I didn’t have a fever, but I was coughing and was unbelievably tired. I really didn’t pay attention to that. I’m a ‘professional grandmother.’ My day begins very early. I thought that’s why I was tired.”

As her discharge from the hospital approached, her son-in-law researched short-term rehab facilities.

“He researched and researched and researched, and said that Christian Health was the only place that I was going,” Mrs. McGough said.

At CHCC, an individualized physical-therapy treatment plan helped her grow stronger and regain the ability to perform activities of daily living.

“Just the fact that she was able to answer a phone again was good,” says her daughter Noel Schumacher. “When she first arrived at CHCC, the staff needed to answer for her. Now she calls me all the time!”

All treatment took place in Mrs. McGough’s room.

“I felt safe,” she says.

As her discharge from CHCC approached, Mrs. McGough started to note the name of her caregivers so she wouldn’t forget any of them. She praised her physical therapists, the Information Services staff who arranged FaceTime with her daughter, and the Dining and Nutrition Services team.

“John Castrignano, the Executive Chef, consistently whips up wonderful meals day after day after day,” she says. “I don’t even like spinach, and I ate it!”

If she needs short-term rehab, senior-life, or mental-health services in the future, Ms. McGough knows exactly where to turn.

“Christian Health is top-notch and beautiful,” Mrs. McGough says, “but the shining stars are the people who work here.”

To learn more about how you can support CHCC during these unprecedented times, please contact Sue Kelly, CHCC’s Director of Development, at (201) 848-5799 or skelly@chccnj.org.