Jim Hill: Reagan rehabilitation slow going, but off to good start

Jim Hill

CNN Correspondent Jim Hill is at St. John's Health Center, the hospital in Santa Monica, California, where former President Ronald Reagan, 89, is recovering from surgery Saturday to repair his right hip, broken in a fall.

Q: One day after his operation, Reagan was able to sit up. Doctors must have been encouraged.

HILL: Sitting up in a chair is considered a crucial first move toward the kind of things he'll be doing in his recovery therapy. The recovery, of course, could take a year in a case like this. It's a long and rigorous process of physical therapy, so any indication that Mr. Reagan can do things like sit up and not need a great deal of pain medication is a good sign, according to Dr. Kevin Ehrhart, his orthopedic surgeon.

Q: Reagan has Alzheimer's disease. Does that prevent him from understanding what happened?

HILL: Doctors said that when Mr. Reagan was admitted to the hospital on Friday, he was in pain, so he does appear to be in a mental state where he understands his injuries. But the doctors also say that the progressive nature of deterioration with Alzheimer's is going to present a problem during rehabilitation.

For example, when he walks, he'll have to put pressure on his injured hip. But not too much. That will require physical coordination and great mental concentration. And in his present state, it's uncertain if he'll be able to do these kinds of things effectively. You don't want to overdo it or you will re-injure yourself.

Q: What kind of physical rehabilitation is in store?

HILL: In the near term, we've been told that sitting up is the first step and that, perhaps, within a week Mr. Reagan will be walking with assistance, using a walker and someone helping him so he doesn't put too much pressure on his injured hip. Beyond that, we haven't heard what specific exercises are involved.

Q: What role will Mrs. Reagan play in the rehabilitation process?

HILL: Doctors have said that one of the strong points in Mr. Reagan's favor is his wife, Nancy. She is extremely devoted to him, which is exactly the kind of care that he is going to need as he tries to rehabilitate his hip. Also, doctors say that Mr. Reagan appears to be in a good frame of mind when his wife is with him. Her companionship will be crucial for his recovery.

Q: Reporters have not been allowed to see Mr. Reagan, but what else have you observed at the hospital?

HILL: St. John's is a Catholic institution run by a foundation, and the honorary chairman of the foundation is Ronald Reagan. When you walk into the main lobby, there are plaques showing the foundation members and contributing members. And right at the top it says: Honorary Chairman, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States. St. John's is a high-profile hospital, and it's not uncommon for the rich and famous to be treated here.

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Saint John's Health Center
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

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