Any experience with home rehabilitation?
Hello,
My Father has been at a rehab facility and to be fair it has only been a week. Prior to his entering the Rehab he had a fall at our home. Now, like many others here he wants to come home, they do therapy at the Rahab facility in the morning and he sits until the next day. Our decision is to bring him this week, I live at home with my parents so I will do my part, I am going to look into him doing therapy at home. We have a bedroom on the lower level of raised ranch, stairs are not allowed any longer unless we have two people to escort him up for showers.
I have family and friends and will hire where needed, it is more stressful knowing that he is sitting in that home and we are trying to be there and work at the same time....
I just feel if he is happier at home and we are able to get maybe better results I am going to lean toward him being Happy and maybe better results with the rehab.... I welcome comments or suggestions...
Thank You
12 Answers
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Nobody 'likes' to be in Skilled Nursing for rehab, but it's a necessary evil when falls happen and rehab is required. Doctors are there on staff, medicines are easily available, equipment is available, and therapists are there to make SURE your dad makes the progress he needs to make to ensure a successful return home to limit his future falls. He'll be showered on a regular basis, too, without you having to worry about there being 2 people at home to 'escort him up the stairs'. Both of my parents were in rehab and I never considered cutting their stay short due to complaints. My only concern was that they regained their strength in rehab which DID happen in both cases. In home PT and OT is way less strenuous than it is in a SNF b/c there's no equipment at home and also b/c it's a lot easier for the elder to say 'NO, not today, I don't feel good' than it is in a SNF environment.
When dad comes home & is unable to function properly, his 'unhappiness' will likely continue there, too. Your goal is not to have a happy dad but a SAFE and functional one. "Happy" is sometimes lost after a fall and the loss of certain abilities which are never fully regained.
Wishing you the best of luck with whatever decision you make.
Next time Dad was in the hospital, doctor recommended rehab and my Dad quickly took it. He really enjoyed using the exercise machines and having the physical therapists helping him. And the food there was so good, that I would join him for lunch once in awhile. He recovered very quickly. Mom grumbled as she didn't like him being away, which was understandable. But she was surprised at how quickly he recovered.
Does his insurance cover in home PT and OT, in home blood draws, etc.?
Is the home prepared for this? Trip hazards have been removed, pathways are cleared, grab bars in bathroom, hospital bed and/or grab bar pole near bed?
The part about family and friends helping is a concern, since it takes some training and experience to move an adult safely. Does your parents homeowners insurance cover back and shoulder injuries to well meaning amateurs?
Keep in mind that he will lose the motivation to put in the work on the therapy so he can go home. Has he been compliant with medical advice in the past?
But let's be realistic here for a moment. Even if you have a physical therapist come to the home for an hour, who's to say that he's going to continue with his exercises after the therapist is gone, since it sounds like he's just sitting around in the rehab facility now waiting for the next morning. He has to be motivated to do the exercises by himself if he expects to get better.
Why not instead when family of friends come to visit him in the rehab facility can someone not do some of the exercises with him throughout the day? I'm sure the therapist there would be more than happy to show you all what he needs to be doing, and if your father knows that he won't be able to come home until he does well in his therapy, I would imagine(if he really wants to come home)that he would do his very best while there.
Like others have said here, everyone would rather be in their own home recouping, but sometimes it's just best that they stay where they're at until coming home is safe not only for them but those who will be responsible for looking after them as well.
My Mom was placed in Rehab after a UTI to get her strength back after being in bed for 3 days. She had Dementia so trying to get her to understand and remember what she was suppose to do was a laugh. They kept her 18 days. I told them there was no money for more than the first 20 days Medicare pays.
Did he break anything, if not I would ask what they think to accomplish with one session a day. Then ask his PCP if he thinks homecare could do the same thing.
After Rehab they sat my Mom in a wheelchair and left her there. I asked for a cushion because of her back. Next day it was gone. I questioned this and was told that only the PT could order a cushion. I asked that she be sat in a chair but it was never done. I so pray that I never need Rehab not in the places around me anyway. They are depressing and boring. So I understand where Dad is coming from. I was told Mom would never walk again without assistance even using a walker. Once we got her back to the AL, she was walking all over with her walker.
Earlier this year my dad had to spend a month in a very mediocre rehab after surgery (the Omicron surge made it impossible to get him into a better place) and very much wanted to come home. I really admired him and other patients I saw just knuckling down and working the program. I particularly remember one older guy (stroke patient or ?) determinedly doing laps in his wheelchair in the dreary day room in the evenings. He was doing what he needed to do to get back home!
Thanks for all the comments, lots to think about.
Bless you All
Come on now, be honest.I
Leave him where he is.
Since he fell he probably needs ongoing help with balance. As often as you can have PT come back to keep him in shape. But don’t cut his time short in rehab. If he is finding rehab tiring then he probably needs to rest. Just sitting up is sometimes therapy.
If you are working outside the home you will be leaving your mom to manage his care. The better shape he is in when he comes hime, the easier it will be for her.
Pace yourself. encourage you dad to make the most of it.
Forgot to answer your question. Yes, I have experience with home PT. I think it is great but not in place of rehab. Rehab first and then home PT.