dad had a major stroke need ideas to help him - Stroke Message Board

bema03 · 07-30-2008, 08:45 PM

my dad once stood over 6 ft tall and was a very strong and proud man and now after the stroke he can't do anything. He is in a wheel chair and has lost his whole right side and his speech. It is hard to see him that way. He is starting to eat on his own after months on a feeding tube. My mom takes care of him at home. I want to help him talk again. Thats where i need help. We have had speech pt and medicare will only cover so many visits and there done. Pt was also trying to help him at least stand on his own and again medicare only covers so many visits. What do I do I'm lost. I pray to god daily and that helps and now i'm asking you please help me.

xanaxqueen · 08-05-2008, 12:57 PM

i certainly feel for you and your father, i really do not have much of an answer, yet a question, who transfers dad to bed, wheelchair, commode, etc. how is your mum doing all of this? the only thing i can think of is tv,music, audio books. does he respond when spoken to? as with his eyes, or anything.
i'm trying to find something to motivate my dad also, it's quite a challenge.
i feel there is not enough awareness of how a stroke is so life altering and the public awareness is only us, those who had one or taking care of a loved one! it makes me mad.
i apologize, this is of no help to your question, yet i needed to respond
god bless your dad

hectaffy · 08-08-2008, 08:19 AM

So sorry about your Dad. My husband had a massive stroke in Sept. 2006. He was confined to a wheelchair and cognizance level was about zero. He went to a rehab facility that really does aggressive therapy and came out walking with a cane and the only way you would know he had a stroke is his speech. He cannot get his words out clear. He has since given up the cane and walks with a slight limp but exercises every day. He understands everything you say to him and responds but cannot communicate his words to us clearly. Hopefully someday he will be able to. He went for speech therapy for a couple of months but didn't do him any good.
If you could get your Dad in a really good rehab. facility, I am sure they could help him. My husband was in the rehab for 7 weeks and did aggressive therapy twice a day. They were not allowed to stay in bed. Had to get up early in the morning, dress, go to the dining hall to eat and then therapy. They had 1 hour in the afternoon to rest and the other time was all therapy. Thank God he got into this facility as so many of them just do what is necessary and that's it............this place is run with an iron glove. Hope you can find a place similar as it will make a tremendous difference in your Dad.
May God bless your family during this trying time.
Lynda

bema03 · 08-09-2008, 07:28 PM

My mom does it most of the time. He is getting better with is one leg. He can't stand long just enough to move from one spot to another. Just in the last few weeks he has wanted to watch tv. He is also crying and the Dr. says it's normal. It is very hard on the family's. My kids who are 14, 7, and the twins are 4 don't understand why their papa is sick and that breaks my heart. My sister just got him into the hospital pool and i'm hoping that helps with the walking. We are also taking him out in the car and he love's it. We take him to all his favorite places and he seems to like it. I sing his alot of his favorite church songs and he try's to sing along. Faith is a big thing with us and the things that we do for him based around that help the most. We learn new things everyday. Keep in touch and God bless.

xanaxqueen · 09-10-2008, 05:58 PM

bema, can you write big notes in front of him, and ask him to nod, a yes or no? time does heal this type of problem, if he is eating a little bit, that means alot, he may start to use his throat again, his voice. if i sang for my dad, he may get out of his wheelchair and run! the mind is a very powerful thing, i am glad you are highly religious and i say a prayer as i write, at this moment, that you will get his voice back.....music is in my estimation, very important. his voice is healing, it will come back, not perfect, yet, he will start to talk a bit at a time, yet time is the one thing that feels like forever. sounds like you are doing everything that any of us would want if we were in his position.
for some weird reason, years ago, i wish i wouldn't hear, i do not know why, except for the thought that i would see things better, i would appreciate what i have, and others do not.
i understand that sounds freaky, and i am glad it did not really come thru, i know i'm making not much sense, yet, i'm fine, NOT.....!
just keep praying, i swear, it does work, and give dad time, i do miss my dad and want to do everything for him, i agree with the health insurance issue, what a sad state we are in with the state of health insurance.......yet the oil companies, nasa...yes, i really care about MARS....when, also, my dad is getting cut down more and more with what he needs. we have a situation, that the elderly are being cut out and put down...yet the gov't. spends more in a hot moment, then we could ever imagine, and we only have one life on this earth and have to do the best.
i always think, what comes around goes around. and what goes around comes around.