Reagan Goes Home a Week After Surgery

One week after surgery to repair a broken hip, former President Ronald Reagan left his hospital room Saturday for his Bel-Air home, a Reagan spokeswoman said.

Reagan, who will turn 90 next month, was released from St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica about 2:30 p.m, according to Joanne Drake, Reagan’s chief of staff. The former president will continue physical therapy at home, Drake added in a statement issued shortly after Reagan left the hospital.

Accompanied by his wife, Nancy, the former president made the trip home by private ambulance.

Reagan left a day earlier than scheduled after “all of his doctors agreed. . . . that his condition had improved to the point where he would be more comfortable at home, so preparations were quickly made to transport him there,” Drake said.

Before leaving the hospital, the 40th president and Nancy Reagan watched the inauguration of President Bush on a hospital room television. The Reagans also personally thanked the doctors and nurses, Drake said.

Reagan, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease seven years ago, fell Jan. 12 and broke his right hip. He underwent surgery the next day.

The former president rebounded quickly, according to his doctors. Within 24 hours of his operation, he was sitting up in a chair. He also had a hearty appetite, dining on meat loaf, mashed potatoes and chocolate pudding during his hospital stay.

Doctors said Reagan will be able to tolerate increased physical therapy sessions but will not be able to participate in any weight-bearing exercises for at least 14 days. According to Dr. Kevin Ehrhart, Reagan’s surgeon, it will take months for the former president to fully recover.

During his stay, the former president received more than 10,000 e-mail messages and cards from well-wishers.