What was seemingly a minor twist at the time while bending down to pick up a parcel, resulted in a spinal cord injury. Felice would have to undergo back surgery several years later in 2019 due to nerve damage in the vertebrae.
“Once the injury happened, I couldn’t bend down anymore, I could only sleep on one side, and I had trouble going to the washroom,” he recalled. “And as a contractor my whole life, a lot of these activities and movements were just second nature for me, so I had to re-think everything I did moving forward.”
Prior to the injury, Felice was very active. He enjoyed walking miles with his wife, gardening and playing with his grandchildren.
“We aren’t the type of people who enjoyed sitting in front of a television during the day. It has been engrained into my nature the value of physical work and accomplishing things on my own – I don’t like asking for help,” he explained.
After struggling for countless months through routine tasks and multiple visits to his family doctor for help and treatments, it wouldn’t be until 2023 when Felice’s life would drastically change again after he was referred to North York General’s Geriatric Day Hospital, an outpatient rehabilitation service aimed at helping seniors maintain their sense of dignity and independence through improved health and quality of life.
Through assessment, treatment, and assisted exercises, Felice is learning how to move more freely again. With the encouragement of an enthusiastic and compassionate care team, Felice is “back out on the town” enjoying life with his wife, Francesca, 72, who has been his biggest advocate.
“It was hard to watch him during that time,” recalled Francesca. “He was such an active person, and would get frustrated when he couldn’t do his traditional day-to-day activities.”
In addition to his normal hobbies, Felice also feared seniors care programs because of stigmas attached to older adults, such as prejudice and ageism.
“He was hesitant to enrol in this program because he didn’t want to be treated like an ‘old person.’ His faculties are fully in-check, and he is certainly young at heart. I was so impressed by the space and care provided to seniors by North York General. It is beautiful and bright, and the staff have welcomed us with open arms.”
Bright and beautiful are only two of the characteristics of the seniors-friendly space. Roula Mandas, a social worker and champion of the Geriatric Day Hospital, said the space has been specifically designed, with careful attention to detail.
“The hallways are wide enough to accommodate walkers or wheelchairs. The layout also ensures our walking program can utilize the hallways to improve their mobility and endurance. The therapy room features a fully functioning gym, kitchen and ADL (Activities of Daily Living – bathroom and bedroom) room, so seniors can practice and learn safety strategies to navigate in their own home,” she explained.
