multiple strokes

[Bill1022]

76 year old female. history of high bp. Hardening of The arteries. Has had multiple strokes. Is now in a rehab unit. Can talk well, memory is good. has passed several swallowing test, but seems to forget how during eating times. Has a permanent feeding tube. Has good strength in hands and legs. Has not walked in 10 weeks. Cannot control bowels or urine and is unaware when it happens. She has long periods that she is alert and communicates well, also long  periods of sleep, at times5 to 12 hours with know communication at all. The rehab facility team and doctor has told us she will never improve and have stopped attempts at any rehab, suggesting we make arrangements for long term care. Should we look for other avenues of care? Any suggestion would be appreciated.

[sara12345]

You do sound like a very loving family.  I don't know if she is getting too much company, but the company is definitely helping her to sharpen her communication skills as well as motivate her to make other progress.  A speech therapist could probably not do a whole lot better with communication since I had speech therapy twice a week after my stroke for months. How very fortunate she is.  I would definitely look into other rehab places.  Progress can continue to be made years after a stroke.  And it should be paid for by Medicare I would think. Thank you for your response.

[Bill1022]

She is my mother in law of 42 years. We are very close. My wife is the oldest, 4 brothers all within 20 min. Also. 3 Grand daughters that visit regularly. Someone is with her 90 percent of the time. She is alone at night and this seems to be ok with her. The staff are very attentive. She has a close male friend of 10 years that is with her everyday and he has really been a angel to our family. We are a very close family with no friction. We are all Christians but 1, the youngest son. We have a very loving Church family and a pastor that visits regularly. I think sometimes she has fare to much company. I believe the staff cares but it seems they have given up on her to quick. She can only stay 45 more days and no rehab is going on.

[sara12345]

You could certainly get other opinions of whether rehab might be possible for her.  You don't say what your relationship to her is.  How many family members would give anything to have their stroke survivor be able to talk well, have good memory and have long periods when she is alert and can communicate well.  So many people can never communicate again.  Does it matter if she sleeps a lot or doesn't communicate for long periods of time?  I need to sleep at least 12 hours a night since my stroke or I get terrible migraines--ER ones. And recently I had to sleep for 29 hours and then another time 60 hours straight to finally get rid of my severe migraines that even the ER couldn't make any better.  My husband tolerates my limited abilities. He actually still loves me. The uncontrollable urine and bowel movements must be difficult, but that's what nursing aids are for.    You seem to care about her to be asking the question or are you asking because you are not tolerating her behavior very well.  It all depends on how good your relationship was with her before all this happened.. Either way, good luck with your further investigation about the rehab.