Looking for advice
Comments
-
Hi @Rosina
I was interested to read your post. I know from personal experience that when a loved one has a stroke it can be a very frightening and worrying time.
So, if I have understood the situation correctly the plan is for your brother to be discharged back into his own rented flat, initially with carers attending twice a day and an alarm call system in place for emergencies.
It might be worth talking to the OT to see if there will also be some therapeutic interventions put in place with the aim of supporting your brother to regain more function.
His housing situation doesn’t sound ideal but sometimes in these situations the therapeutic priority is to return people to familiar surroundings to continue their rehabilitation. Assessment of his needs shouldn’t be a one-off, there should be additional assessments by the community OT once he is back at home. If it becomes clear that he can’t safely live in his current accommodation then the community OT report evidencing this can be submitted to the local authority housing department to try to increase his priority on the housing waiting list.
I read that you are also concerned about fire safety, I suggest that you arrange for the local fire safety officer to visit, they can offer advice. Also, if they feel the flat is unsafe they could potentially provide additional written evidence for the housing department.
If you haven’t already done so you may wish to make contact with the Stroke Association: https://www.stroke.org.uk/finding-support
Wishing you and your brother all the very best.
Jean
Jean Merrilees BSc MRCOT
You can read more of my posts at: https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-an-occupational-therapist
-
Hi @Rosina
A very big welcome to you this afternoon.
I had my Stroke in 1998 at the age off 32.
I'm very very happy in helping/supporting you in anyway ????
Please Please let me know if I can help in anyway ???
Many thank.
-
Thanks Steve my brother is 51 and only took a massive stroke 10 weeks ago , he is due to be discharged from hospital in the next week or 2 but I feel he is just been pushed back into accommodation that isn't suitable for his needs as he lives in an upstairs flat and no way of communicating, he will have to be given bed baths as his bathroom isn't suitable, all they are putting in place for him is a key entry box and an alarm buzzer , which is of no use to him, I feel as tho the care package they are putting in place is of no use to him, and I don't know anything about his rights as a vulnerable adult to help him receive the proper care package for his needs .
-
Thanks Jean yes it is the same care package you are talking about being put in place.and a speech therapist and occupational therapist will visit him at home. We have contacted the local council to see if they can find him suitable accommodation and I have arranged a fire safety check from the local fire brigade. I just feel that he is only a number and getting the bed back is more important than his needs .
-
Hi @Rosina
It sounds as it you are doing all the right things despite it being a very difficult time. And of course it is true that there is a lot of pressure on hospital staff to find beds for patients with acute needs, but safe discharge planning should still be taking place. If you don't feel the discharge is safe you can raise your concerns with staff and if necessary through the complaints procedure. Do check out if the Stroke Association can offer any support in some areas they have excellent services.
Best Wishes
Jean
Jean Merrilees BSc MRCOT
You can read more of my posts at: https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-an-occupational-therapist
-
Thanks for your advice Jean I raised my concerns with the OT and they are going to bring him to his flat during the week and assess him there so hopefully they will have a better view with my concerns.
-
Hi @Rosina
That certainly sounds like a positive development. Hope things start to improve now
Best Wishes
Jean
Jean Merrilees BSc MRCOT
You can read more of my posts at: https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-an-occupational-therapist
Brightness
Categories
- All Categories
- 13K Start here and say hello!
- 6.6K Coffee lounge
- 104 Games lounge
- 416 Cost of living
- 4.3K Disability rights and campaigning
- 1.9K Research and opportunities
- 199 Community updates
- 9.3K Talk about your situation
- 2.1K Children, parents, and families
- 1.6K Work and employment
- 777 Education
- 1.7K Housing and independent living
- 1.4K Aids, adaptations, and equipment
- 615 Dating, sex, and relationships
- 363 Exercise and accessible facilities
- 737 Transport and travel
- 31.6K Talk about money
- 4.4K Benefits and financial support
- 5.2K Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- 17.1K PIP, DLA, and AA
- 4.9K Universal Credit (UC)
- 6.3K Talk about your impairment
- 1.8K Cerebral palsy
- 868 Chronic pain and pain management
- 180 Physical and neurological impairments
- 1.1K Autism and neurodiversity
- 1.2K Mental health and wellbeing
- 319 Sensory impairments
- 825 Rare, invisible, and undiagnosed conditions