MIL (84), who lives in the US, has been getting frailer and increasingly tottery on her feet over the past five or so years, and two weeks ago she fell at home. She got carted off to hospital, where they did a load of tests and ascertained that she had had a minor stroke. As she fell, she also broke the wrist of her dominant hand. She was in hospital for a week, lying in bed, and has now been discharged to an acute rehab facility, where she is being assessed and given rehab for her stroke-related issues. Her speech is slow and she is in a wheelchair, although I don't know whether she is able to walk at all (I'm going to ask SIL today - all our info is coming via her). Up until we heard about the wheelchair yesterday, I think DH was expecting her to be discharged home in the next week or so, but she lives alone, albeit all on one level. SIL works FT and lives 45 mins away, DH and I live in the UK and literally just got back from a trip to the US, which is why he hasn't already been over. He is planning to visit in the next couple of weeks, once we know more what the ongoing issues are likely to be.
Any anecdotal information about what we expect in terms of MIL's recovery and likely ongoing needs would be really helpful. She has taken no meaningful exercise in years and she is thin and frail with very little muscle, so what is the likelihood of her ever regaining sufficient strength to be able to return home (I know no one can answer this, but any opinions would be good to hear)? She lives in a senior citizen housing complex so there are people who do the garden and attend to maintenance needs, but there is no care provided, it would have to be bought in. She has money though, so that could be arranged. Until two weeks ago, she lived alone with her little dog reasonably contentedly, but since FIL died 10 years ago I'd say she is depressed and she has no friends or social life - she just sits watching TV all day and (to put it bluntly) I think is waiting to die, so her motivation to get her strength back and get home and back to her life is likely to be low and I feel she is much more likely to just give up.
Sorry this is long, but if you got to the end and have any insights, I would be very grateful if you could share them! TIA