My Dad

[shellbean]

He's only 66, how can this be. My strong, extremely intelligent Dad is now paralyzed and unable to communicate well. He had a massive stroke. The doctors say he is lucky to be alive and have any speaking ability at all. It's been six months, he's in a nursing home. I think he's gotten worse from the environment, they (doctors) say its the process of a stroke. He could speak to me when we first got to the nursing home, we played chess, checkers and cards. He does none of that now and can barely speak. The nurses say "we've always had a hard time understanding him, you are mistaken, he has always been this way since he arrived." I disagree. They have said he will never regain any strength in the left side of his body and will be in the geri chair or bed for the rest of his life. I disagree. I am hurting because they are so insensitive and hopeless. I refuse to give up hope. It's hell. I hurt and my heart breaks every day as I never know what to expect on my visits. When I least expect it, he says something that lets me know he's still there. I CANT GIVE UP..should I move him to a new facility? I would love to bring him home, but I work a lot and can not afford private care. Medicare stopped paying for his therapy because they said he wasn't improving. So now he does nothing much physical. he was supposed to go to the zoo with his girlfreind on the day he had the stroke...they hadn't seen each other in months because her mother is bedridden and she is caretaker, he was so excited he bought new clothes and a hat.

[oc1dean]

Plateau is just used by insurance/HMOs to stop coverage. He can continue to improve for years afterward, You will need to research neuroplasticity since your medical team seems to be clueless. He does have to work extremely hard to get improvement. Start keeping a journal to keep track of improvements and prove that it is occuring. Sounds like you are on the do-it-yourself program. If you have a good understanding of what needs to be done you really don't need a therapist to nag the survivor into doing exercises.
Dean

[cabbypete]

He gotta want to do it physical therapy  . Sounds like nursing home is no good . If he works at it he will improve