When Carlo arrived at Kindred East New Jersey, he was dependent on a ventilator and unable to move or communicate. After working with his interdisciplinary care team, he was able to discharge to an inpatient rehab facility. 

A Patient Success Story from Kindred Hospital East New Jersey

Carlo, the primary caretaker for his wife, experienced his own serious health challenges and was admitted to Kindred Hospital East New Jersey on Jan. 3, 2026, following a hospital stay in New York.

He arrived at Kindred in critical condition, on ventilator support and unable to move, speak, or swallow. He required full assistance for mobility, even to roll in bed or sit up. Carlo also had difficulty communicating and understanding. In addition, he had two serious pressure wounds on his tailbone and ear.

Kindred’s interdisciplinary team began treatment right away. Pulmonologists and respiratory therapists monitored his breathing and worked to wean him from the ventilator. Only six days after admission, he breathed on his own through a trach collar for 24 hours. After several breathing trials, his tracheostomy tube was removed five days later, and he continued breathing independently.

Rehabilitation therapists worked with him daily to rebuild his strength and function. He progressed from being unable to swallow to safely eating a soft diet. His speech improved from no voice to short conversations. He advanced from total dependence to feeding himself, standing, and walking with a walker. With consistent wound care, both pressure injuries healed within 18 days.

Four weeks after coming to Kindred, Carlo was medically stable and strong enough to transfer to an inpatient rehabilitation facility closer to home – and closer to his wife –  marking an important milestone in his recovery.

Learn more about: Wound Care