Frustrating Stroke Patient

[daddygirl]

I know that my job as my father's daughter is to be supportive and not frustrate him. I am frustrating him though. My dad is being defiant and aggressive towards the hospital staff because I believe he doesn't want any of the tubes etc and wants to get out of bed. He is now strapped in and he has to remain in ICU for some more time. He will ask me to do something which because of his lack of speech I can't understand and I believe he is asking me to unstrap him which I wouldn't - this frustrates him. I will fix his oxygen mask and he gets upset. I will tell him to please be nice to the staff and that he can't get up until he is better (sorta like a lecture) - this frustrates him. I am only trying to help, does it sound like I am doing the right things?

[daddygirl]

Thank you for your reply, the advice and confirmation sure does help and means a lot.

[PamRam228]

Yes, you are doing the right thing.  I went through the same thing with my husband.  He didn't want the straps on but it was for his own good because he kept trying to pull tubes and IV's out...sometimes he did so successfully.  You are doing the right thing.  It is for his own good.  He may not completely understand depending on how much damage there was to the brain.  Keep doing what you're doing...sounds like you're a wonderful daughter.