Rehab and Respite Care Request

[Talk2Night]

Hello Hive Mind. I have a parent with declining health who is in hospital and cannot return home at present. Mobility is non existent due to the length of time spent in a hospital bed without physio. I want to ask for rehab and respite, not permanent residential care. Has anyone had any success arguing the case for this?

It's a medical decision, generally physio assessed for rehab potential.
Any cognitive issues? Can they follow instruction well?

I work in this area. Ask to meet with the rehab team and ask why rehab isn’t being offered either whilst an inpatient or in a rehab unit on discharge . Unfortunately rehab beds do need to be saved for those with a reasonable chance of benefiting from it but by all means challenge it. For older frailer patients, so much muscle mass is lost by even a few weeks stuck in a hospital bed so sadly people can and often do take a step down in hospital and some never recover that lost function.

Unless private funded, going home with packages of care is the first choice if needs can be met there as it’s cheaper. Most placements into a residential or nursing home are initially short term with a period of time then reassessment. What does your parent want? Do they have capacity to decide? If not and there’s uncertainty on whether placement versus package of care is best a Best Interests Meeting will usually be held with interested persons-including the patient and next of kin-involved.
Good luck-such a tricky time.

Can follow instructions but have been through a lot medically recently and are very anxious/nervous. I feel that this is holding them back and then the assessment by medical staff is hindered.

Thank you for your response - so helpful. Parent is depressed and this morning the Dr was telling her what would happen - residential care and the did not speak up for themselves.

I feel rehab would be best. We have been at a low starting point before and she thrived with intensive/supportive treatment. We have had care at home but she cannot walk at present so this is no longer an option at present. Ideally, rehab, mobilisation and a return home would be ideal with care package.

Push for rehab, my gran never walked again as no rehab, legs just wasted

If you feel depression/anxiety are impacting on engagement with rehab attempts please mention this and ask for a psychiatry assessment. You know your mum best and the treating team may well miss this. As before, prolonged illness and bed rest on top of frailty can mean her current mobility is not reversible sadly.

sorry to jump on this thread but my DM is in hospital after a fall. She was mobile pre fall but is now in a bed with a catheter. What can I/should I push for?