Will Dad walk again

[Lendmeashilling]

Our Dad who’s 94 has recently come home from hospital. Before he went in his walking wasn’t very good at all but he managed with a frame indoors and a scooter outdoors. He’s got really bad arthritis in his legs and heart failure which was 25% before Christmas. He’s eating really well now and has 2 carers 4 x a day. He’s really struggling to stand for any amount of time when the carers come to do his personal care.he has his bed downstairs now. He keeps talking about going back on his scooter to go out, holidays, and what he’s going to do when he can walk again! We are waiting for home visits from physio but they have said he can only have x1 a week because of his heart failure! So if anybody has been through this, what was the outcome? Are we looking at end of life here? No one has mentioned this, but how long can this go on for?
thanks for reading xx

I would be contacting his Heart Failure’s consultant’s secretary and asking them to ask the consultant about the physio. When is he next due a review? Does he have a heart failure nurse? If your area has them you can contact them directly and ask for help.

Is his heart failure at 25% of his heart working? That is quite low, at one point my Mum’s was only at 18% and she was in CCU, same level of care as UCI but specifically for hearts and we were told not to expect her to survive a week. She did but she had a habit of defying Dr expectations. Does your DF want to know his prognosis but Mum never did. Some times these things aren’t always easily predictable.

Are we looking at end of life here? No one has mentioned this, but how long can this go on for? No, you’re not looking at end of life. My Dad has been bed bound for 18months. The HF is an additional problem, but the point of the drugs is to keep people going. Is the 25% his ejection fraction? Has it improved since starting treatment?

personally, I wouldn’t dampen his hopes. He needs something to motivate himself to do his physio exercises.

I’d also talk to someone (physio? OT?) whether it would be safe for him to go out (accompanied) on his scooter.

He would need very intensive physical therapy to rebuild wasted muscles. The elderly don’t do this at the same rate that we do.

At what sort of age does that kick in? How easy is it for someone in their early 70s tp rebuild muscle, for example?

Does he use any equipment with the carers? Should be a care plan for this. Therapy usually work on goals and give home exercises for in between visits.

Often progress can be quite slow eg can they sit on edge of bed, maintain balance etc and sometimes seated leg strengthening exercises before practicing sit to stand, Marching on spot with WZF if able.

If they're able to sit out in chair in between carers that is a good sign amd will all aid attempts to get back to baseline ability. Next step is standing and transfers.

I've seen many people (working in healthcare) who have got back to their previous ability and others who remain stuck or deconditioned. Sometimes motivation is a problem or poor insight.

It is good to have goals to get back to previous mobility but also need to be realistic and break down onto smaller goals. Eg moving from 2 carers to 1, more time standing, weight transfer to each side, etc etc.

Hope things improve!

Sadly alot of old people go into hospital mobile and come out non mobile

I dont think he will ever be able to walk again due to his age and muscle wastage
BUT i wouldnt tell him that.
Go along with, ‘Yes we can do that when you get back on your feet’

We are in a similar situation. Bad arthritis, a few recent hospital admissions have led to so much muscle wastage.
Last night I was sat waiting for an ambulance while he sat and wet himself as he couldn’t get to the toilet and couldn’t stand for me to change him.
I feel so sad that medical profession has written him off and won’t even help try to get him more mobile.
I feel we’re at end of life stage too.

Hi thanks for all your replies.
HateMyselfToo So sorry to hear you’re in the same situation too. Dad just had another admission for v low blood pressure and I’ve got to say everyone from the ambulance ladies to the nurses, physios, Drs have been amazing.but we’re back home until the next admission!
Does your Dad have carers? Also my Dad has to wear incontinence pants all the time now. It’s definitely no fun getting old!