Follow
Share
My father has severe osteoarthitis and had 3 strokes. He cannot get out of bed by himself and deals with incontinence so he is in LTC. Since being there he is largely in denial that this is his new life. First he was hoping tramadol might be the fix that gets him to walk, that didn't work. Now he wants hip replacement which we are looking into. But even with a hip replacement, I'm not sure that it will be enough for him to walk again due to the damage done by the strokes.
Do you ever give up trying to find "solutions"? How do you help your loved one come to accept this as their new reality?
Stroke is a brain injury. Replacing a joint will therefore not cure any deficits caused by stroke.

However, a joint replacement may be of benefit to him if for other reasons. Eg Does he have severe hip pain? If so, does his Doctor say a hip replacement would benefit him? If so, is he a good candidate for surgery? (Factoring his stroke risk & dementia risk).

What's Dad's general mobility like? Walking well? Needing little supervision or assistance? Or needing assistance & equipment?

What's his general health like?
His memory?

It may be good to take in the wider view for him. (He may not be able to).

PS It is common for Stroke Survivors to lack insight. (Medical term: Anosognosia).
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Beatty
Report

Tell him “ That’s a question for the doctor to answer.”
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to waytomisery
Report

Give him the old nod and smile.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to ZippyZee
Report

With dementia there are no solutions, no wonder drugs, no going back to who you were.

Sometimes we caregivers just need to shake our heads up and down and go about our business, we cannot fix them or convince them that there is no cure.

I have used the line " When your doctor gives us a release letter that you can go back to your apartment we will consider this option, until then you will remain here".
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to MeDolly
Report



Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter