One ordinary morning changed everything for 86-year-old Colleen Preszler.
Living independently in her own home, Colleen had built a life around familiar routines and the comfort of doing things for herself. But after a fall in her bathroom left her unable to move or call for help, she spent nearly five hours waiting to be rescued. By the time help arrived, she had suffered serious injuries that required emergency air transport, multiple surgeries, and months of hospitalization and rehabilitation.
The physical recovery was long, but the emotional recovery proved just as difficult.
As Colleen regained her strength, she and her daughter, Sue, began facing a difficult reality. Colleen was recovering in Bismarck, ND, while Sue was supporting her from Fargo, ND. After being by her mother’s side through hospitalization and rehabilitation, Sue knew that returning home alone in Bismarck was no longer the safest option.
The home Colleen loved had always represented independence, comfort, and the life she had built. Now, it carried new uncertainty. Together, they faced one of the hardest decisions many families encounter: How do you help someone stay safe without asking them to give up the person they’ve always been?
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Recovery didn’t end when Colleen left rehabilitation. Sue and Colleen toured several senior living communities throughout Fargo. After months spent moving between hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, Colleen wasn’t simply looking for another place to receive care. She needed a place where she could begin living again.
Edgewood Fargo offered something different. They offered a home that felt less like an institution and more like a home. A place where Colleen could recover in her home. Where asking for help didn’t require a phone call to her daughter or where healing could happen without putting life on hold.
Instead of climbing into a car several times a week, Colleen walked down the hall for her outpatient therapy appointments. Physical and occupational therapy became part of her routine, not another obstacle to overcome. With less time spent traveling and more time focused on healing, she now had the energy to enjoy coffee with the neighbors afterword.
That’s where CaringEdge became an important part of her recovery.
She left the home she'd lived in for years and went through so much medically," she said. "But she continues to show strength every day.
Today, Colleen benefits from a coordinated team focused on helping her stay strong, active, and independent.
Beyond therapy, Colleen has access to an on-site Nurse Practitioner, who provides in-home primary care visits so that many of Colleen’s medical needs can be addressed where she lives. Meanwhile, CaringEdge helps her continue improving her strength, mobility, balance, and confidence through personalized physical and occupational therapy.
Working alongside her care team, CaringEdge therapists tailor each visit to Colleen’s goals, helping her safely navigate daily activities while reducing the risk of future falls. That collaboration gives Colleen and her family confidence that everyone is working toward the same outcome, helping her maintain her independence and quality of life.
After such a sudden and life-changing event, recovery doesn’t happen all at once.
It grows through consistent therapy, familiar routines, encouraging healthcare professionals, and celebrating the small victories that add up over time.
For Colleen, each therapy session has become another opportunity to regain pieces of independence she feared she had lost. Everyday tasks have become easier, her confidence has continued to grow, and she’s able to focus more on living life than worrying about what might happen next.
Sue has watched that transformation happen firsthand.
While Colleen was rebuilding her independence, Sue found something just as meaningful: reassurance.
That peace of mind comes from knowing her mother has a trusted team supporting her recovery and helping her continue living life with confidence.
"I feel confident in her care," Sue said. "I honestly feel like I could go on vacation and not have to worry."
Moving Forward with CaringEdge
Today, Colleen’s story is no longer defined by the day she fell.
Instead, it’s defined by the progress she’s made. Through personalized outpatient therapy, coordinated healthcare, and the encouragement of a dedicated care team, she’s regained strength, confidence, and the ability to enjoy each day with greater independence.
For individuals recovering after a hospitalization, injury, or illness, CaringEdge provides more than therapy. We provide personalized support that helps people regain confidence, restore function, and continue living life on their terms. To learn more, contact us at info@caringedge.com.
When someone you love is recovering, having the right support makes all the difference.
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