Stroke at 80

[snch]

Hiya,

my gran had a stroke at the end of feb. She’s been in hospital since. She’s really depressed and desperate to get home. Me and my Dad (her son) have been sharing the hospital visits. We’re wondering what will happen next. She’s just starting getting a little bit more mobile. Walking to the toilet with help from two HCA either side. She can move her right arm a little bit and her speech has improved. She does still seem to get names and words mixed up. Has anyone else been through similar? Just worried about if she does go home how much support she would need. I work part time so I’m able to help on my days off but I also have two children ages 3 & 4 and I’m worried that I’m not going to be able to be there enough to support her. My dad works full time. It’s been a stressful time. Any advice would be helpful

The hospital staff should make sure that support is put in place before she is discharged, however the hospital my dad was in wasn't great and didn't do so. Elderly care after hospital discharge | Age UK. We had to put in for a care needs assessment ourselves, (Age UK have a good guide on this The Care Needs Assessment Explained | Age UK) and the council arranged for a carer service to come in and help. But do push the hospital to do a care needs assessment before she leaves and explain that you work so aren't in a position to provide full time care, and that she lives alone

Realistically, three months on, she may not gain much more function - especially as she will have lost a lot of muscle while she's been so dependent. If she left hospital the options would be residential care (temporary or permanent) or possibly home with multiple care visits a day. Does she have savings that would mean she would be self funding or would she be funded by social services?

My DM continued to improve for several years. Its important to encourage independence and a social life. She will need a lot of family support and she will never be quite the same but with the right help should get better.

She should be eligible for reablement care for six weeks after being discharged from hospital. In my mum's case she spent this at a convalescent home which was nicer than hospital and helped her build up her strength. Talk to her nurses and ask to speak to the discharge team about this. She'll need a discharge plan in any case.

You need to talk to the ward occupational therapist. In general therapists are easier to get hold of between 8am and 830, or 330 and 430 so try those times.

Thanks for the replies 😊 my dad has spoken with the nurses and we have a meeting about going home with a care plan so hopefully we will have a better idea on things soon