Will dad ever get his strength back, and is the physical therapy worth doing?
Your question is "Will he get his strength back?" Yes, muscles do continue to respond to strength training throughout the lifetime. But functional outcomes such as walking, bathing, dressing require a lot more than pure strength. For example, balance, motor control, muscle flexibility and length, vision, safety awareness, mental capacity and motivation etc. Your situation is complicated by multiple 'cooks in the kitchen'--all certainly who have the best intentions. I know how difficult these physical therapy decisions can be and it is difficult for me to make a specific judgement from this vantage point but given your father's age and multiple diagnoses I would really consider whether walking independently and full self care is really a realistic goal. It may just be setting your father up for failure. And with the energy he has left in his life he should focus it on what he desires and finds important. I think the important key to your father's care is setting realistic expectations. These expectations and goals can be set together with you and the guidance of a physical therapist who has evaluated your father. It might help to have the whole family present so everyone is on the same page. Your father's motivation is a key component. There is also a lot of middle ground between sitting in a chair all day and having the caregiver do 'everything' vs. full independence. A PT can help you to set achievable goals that your father can reach and that most importantly can increase the joy and fulfillment in his life. And it is important to remember that maintaining what he CAN do will help contribute to his health and slow his functional decline. Walking and full independence does not necessarily equal a full and happy life. Best of luck to you.
Anyone?
Thank you!!!!
I would like to agree with the PT who gave such a wonderfully detailed answer for you. I have had 11 years of being my husband's caregiver since he had a massive stroke in Sept.2000. He turned 65 while in the hospital, and everyone there, and later at rehab, were amazed at how hard he worked and how much progress he made; however, the ensuing years HAVE NOT brought any further progress than what he experienced in the first two years following the stroke. In fact, there have been declines in his mobility and balance, and he too is probably depressed because of this. I would say you are most fortunate that your father did not have the stroke at a younger age,and I am sure it is VERY difficult to motivate him---just as it is difficult for me to motivate my husband, but I try to do as little for him as possible. He can walk to the bath room. He dresses himself, and he uses his electric shaver to shave. He also feeds himself (which took awhile to relearn as the stroke was on his right side, and he is right-handed.
Perhaps you all could encourage the caregiver to NOT do so much for your father, but it might already be too late to change her ways --or your father's. Good luck and God Bless you all. MH
