Rehabillitation
Hi
My mum aged 59 years old and she suffered a stroke at the beginning of May 2010.
She has just moved to a Rehab unit in England where we live under the NHS not private.
Although its only been about 3 weeks since the stroke i am concered she is not getting the rehab she needs after moving to the unit this week.
When she first had the stroke she was without any voice or sounds apart from coughing sound. No strength in her right arm or leg.
She is now being more postive and every day says more words, she has been diagnosed with dyspraxia. She has a little feeling in her right leg and she can nearly lift it herself but obviously doesnt put any weight on it so things are postive. Although the right arm has no movement.
She is making progress and is being postive, but at this stage what should a structured rehab programme look like? How many times a week should she have a physio session? I am concerned she is not getting what she needs at the early stage and i need some advice if anyone can help.
Your Mom is most likely getting appropriate treatment on NHS, I lived in England for a number of years, and I'm familliar with the Health Service. I know that some services seem painfully slow, but your health care is really very good. Your Mom is making progress, and as a stroke surviver myself, I know progress is slow and sometimes non-existant, inasmuch as we want to improve, brain death is brain death, and it will take years, early intervention or not. It's going to take patience, and many of the exercises she will need to rehabilitate can be done in the home, with your visiting nurse services. Try to keep positive, remember it has only been a few short weeks, and expect her recovery to take some time, and it may just level off at a certain point of her recovery, and it will be as good as she gets. There are available lifts with a sling to help her up and down and to even help her toilet and bathe. I know it stinks, but try to take care of yourself, too. My stroke happened while I was caring for my dying husband, and I've been left with speach problems and half-blind. We must focus on what they can do, and help them with what they need help with. Socializing with friends is important, too. I know in England, people are much more sociable than here in the USA. Encourage people to visit, and look into adult day care for her to spend some time, so that you can have the time you need for yourself. It'll work out exactly as God has planned. Bless you!
