to think if DF's in hospital for rehab they shouldn't just leave him sitting in a chair all day

[pencilsandpens]

Story is that DF 85 had an emergengy op on his stomach 3 months ago - problem sorted. But as he's been in bed so long he can't stand up on his own. A week ago he was moved to another hospital for what was supposed to be intensive rehab to get him walking and back home. (Before the op he lived alone and managed perfectly well - did his own shopping and cooking and everything). Its a geritaric rehab place he's in and most of the patients look as though they'll never open their eyes again, let alone walk.

He's lost confidence and all they seem to do is leave him sitting in a wheelchair all day - maybe just 5 mins a day of what they say is physio - get him to pull himself onto his feet using a bar on the wall while they give him a push up. It's physio helpers that do this with him not physios and they don't seem to have the know how or patience to deal with someone whose lost conifidence in their own ability to stand up. He's really unhappy and wants to go home but knows he can't be independent if he can't walk

I'm thinking he might as well go home, but then he wouldn't be able to stand/walk/get to the toilet etc. My heads all over the place and I don't know what to do for the best. I've no other family to discuss this with or to share the load

Have made an appoitment to see a doctor there tomorrow afternoon but not sure what I should be saying. Anyone have any experience of this sort of thing? Will the rehab suddenly kick in? Is this normal to be dong so little with someone? Could I get him rehabed/walking at home? AIBU to expect them to stop being so utterly useless and actually do some rehab with him?

Many hospitals don't have enough physios so people do just get 1 or 2 short sessions a day. You could check this with the doctor, but if he can't cope at home he needs to be in hospital whilst he has the physio as he'd just be in a chair all the time at home, so being in a chair all day at hospital whilst physio takes affect isn't any worse. You need a degree of strength before physio can help as well so he's maybe too weak for them to do much yet and they are assessing him daily to see how much he can do. Having a word with the physio supervisor in charge of him may help clarify things as well. You'll probably just have to be patient and bring him stuff to entertain him. If he's really unhappy is he depressed and is that hindering his recovery?

Unfortunately 'intensive' rehab is not always as it sounds.
Usually on these type of wards there are 2 physio's for around 30 patients. Although it seems such a small amount of time they spend with your DF, it may be all he can manage at the moment.

When you meet with the doctor tomorrow, mention this and any other concerns you may have. Don't be afraid to ask questions, that's what the meeting is for.
Also, without meaning to upset you, I think you should also ask about how much your DF is likely to make a full recovery.

But surely they can´t push him to do more than he is willing either?

Does he have a social worker that you could also talk to about him-what care is available etc?

It´s a long process very long process-especially if he isn´t mentally at the right place also.

can you get there daily? Could a physio show you the exercises that you could help him with? So doubling the efforts?

He should have a plan of care which includes his exercises. You need to see this.

Some residential care homes are better at carryout after care plans, than rehab centre's are.

This has nothing to do about staffing levels, if a plan has been put together, it should be overseen by a key worker, to make sure that it is adhered to.

Rehab can start off very slowly and he may be best placed there, because he has nursing needs as well, but a hospital environment would not encourage recovery.

It doesn't sound as though he is ready for a support package at home.

Have a list of questions ready. Ask to see the plan or get an overview, there willl be some level of 'playing it by ear'.

It is important not to rush things, older people have different physiology than younger people, it isn't just a matter of having lived longer.

Thanks so much for all your comments - you've made me look at the situation a little differently and calm down. I'll arrange to see the Senior physiotherapist and also ask about the plan of care. And knowing what exercises I could do with Dad when I visit every day would be good. It would at least make me feel as though I wasn't sitting helplessly back while what's left of DF's life fritters away in that god awful place.