Dad is out of hospital and is in a local rehabilitation centre. Tests have shown that my Dad has suffered from a number of mini strokes in the past. We did not know this and it only came to light after an MRI. This explains some of his short memory loss which was thought to be early onset dementia. This stroke has affected his thinking processes in that he has trouble putting words together to form a sentence. He can answer questions with a short phrase but anything any longer gives him trouble. He just can't find the right words sometimes. There has been improvement and he is smiling and jokes occasionally. He also knows all of us so we are pleased with this. He is now working with a speech therapist to regain his language skills.
He also does not have the use of his right arm from the elbow down including his fingers. We are hoping that after much physiotherapy, which began immediately after the stroke, he will regain full use of his arm. There has been some progress already. He is walking with assistance and can maneuver himself with a wheel chair and his feet. He is not allowed to get out of bed by himself as there is a risk to falling.
August 2012
My Mother goes to see him everyday to help out with his activities of daily living. She makes sure he is shaved and brushes his teeth. She also wants to ensure he is eating. Tough to eat when one hand is not working well. We can't rely on the nurses or personal support workers assisting with everything as they are so busy and short handed. But my Mother is not babying him either. She knows that in order for him to come home he has to be independent. Baby steps .....
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