Step-Dad Had a Stroke - How Do I Help?

[nomad100]

Is there any chance that there is someone at the hospital that will be able to help with the logistics of his aftercare/rehab?

[calledout]

Yes - good point. They are being assigned a case manager, so hopefully s/he will help with that. Thankfully they have fantastic insurance coverage. A friend has an empty condo in the area that she can stay in, should she decide to stay put for awhile. Not really sure if there's more that I should be doing.

Thanks for getting through the entire post. I just realized how long it was!

[VeryViolet]

I think there should be a social worker at the hospital who can help you with logistics. That person has probably already been talking to your mom would be my guess. I am sure in Florida with so many snowbirds, etc. that this isn't an uncommon thing to have happen.

[karmasabiotch]

The hospital social worker and/or discharge planner should be able to help with all of your concerns. I will give them a call now and talk about your concerns.

[sonrisa]

Apr 29, 2013 9:51:42 GMT -5 calledout said:

I know for a fact that she is not capable of figuring these things out by herself.  Do I do it for her?  am I helping or enabling? What exactly do I do?
 

I won't say what you should or shouldn't do - you can decide that.  However, if you do step in and facilitate the transfer to rehab and help with the logistics you are not enabling her. Many people have trouble handling difficult circumstances and need help. Stepping up to the plate would be incredibly kind and generous of you. That doesn't mean you have to. Do what you can and what feels right.

[orangeblossom]

If it's at all possible that his insurance covers it, please push for the acute care rehab, and not sub-acute. It's an hour difference in the amount of rehab they get/day, but it's so worth it. Also, make sure he's going to a facility that focuses on stroke rehab.

Wherever he goes to rehab, he likely won't be home for about three weeks or so. I think your help will most be needed once he's home, because he'll still have a lot of appts both in and out of the house. For my mother the physical therapist initially came to the house for another four weeks or so (can't quite remember) and then she went to outpatient therapy.

Good luck to your stepdad. It's a lot of work, but he can make a huge recovery depending on the severity of the stroke.

[eav2c]

I'm sorry. My dad had a stroke in December and the social workers were helpful. They helped to find him a rehab that was covered by insurance and even transferred him from the hospital to the facility. I would talk to them and as they are full of resources. Really, I had to do very little except talk my dad into going. The SW did 98% of the work.*

*There is a somewhat complicated background to my story. I am not sure if social workers generally do what they did for my dad but they can at least answer your questions.

[orangeblossom]

Apr 29, 2013 11:33:27 GMT -5 eav2c said:

I'm sorry. My dad had a stroke in December and the social workers were helpful. They helped to find him a rehab that was covered by insurance and even transferred him from the hospital to the facility. I would talk to them and as they are full of resources. Really, I had to do very little except talk my dad into going. The SW did 98% of the work.*

*There is a somewhat complicated background to my story. I am not sure if social workers generally do what they did for my dad but they can at least answer your questions.

The SW did most of the work for us.  We did some work too, but only because my mother did peritoneal dialysis and we called around to find one to take her.  The SW was doing that, but had a heavy case load and that was the only thing stopping her from leaving the hospital.

[caddywompus]

Definitely talk to the Case manager.  She will be able to explain all the options available, insurance coverages, etc.  I'm assuming he is at a hospital that is a certified Stroke Center?

Insist that he receive PT/and OT while he is in hospital now.  Early intervention and early mobilization are crucial to his recovery.  Where was his stroke, what part of his body is affected, is his speech and cognition intact?  I agree that inpatient rehab center is the best discharge plan, but depending on how he is doing functionally, they may or may not accept him. 

The Case Manager can also help your mom with any issues she's having, and coping with everything.  Depending on how "well" your SD is at the time of discharge, he may be abe to be transferred to a rehab facility close to home, or if he is doing really well- he may be able to return home with home health therapy and nursing.  Again, the case manager is in charge of coordinating all of the details for discharge.

I have a lot of experience with strokes and rehab, if you have any specific questions please feel free to PM me!

[gwynnetx]

DH had a stroke of sorts in October, was in ICU for three and half weeks, in a regular room for another week, and had to do inpatient rehab afterwards for a week and a half after that. It was hard enough to juggle all of it from my own home; I can't imagine having to go through all that while on vacation and living in a rented condo. How awful.

I would agree with others in getting with the case manager and talking to him/her about what needs your father's going to have after being discharged from the hospital. The case manager should be able to set it all up for your mom and dad and arrange transportation between hospital and rehab.

Is there any way you can handle things at their home for them? I'm just thinking that it was really nice when my parents took my dog so that I wasn't having to drive home twice a day. Since they're out of town, can you handle bills, etc?

I don't think it's overstepping. It seems like your mom is having a really hard time handling life, period, and I know from personal experience, this is a VERY stressful thing to have to go through, even when you're not the patient. And adding that on top of alcoholism and cancer? Wow.