Q. My father-in-law recently suffered a stroke. While he was fortunate to live, his life, as well as my mother-in-law’s, has been turned upside down. He’s currently in a rehabilitation facility, where he’ll hopefully relearn how to walk and talk. He can verbalize some thoughts but has a lot of work ahead of him. It’s looking like my mother-in-law will need help once he’s discharged home. I’m able to provide some care but have no formal training. Do you have any suggestions for us?
A. I’m so sorry to hear about your father-in-law’s stroke. It sounds like he already has a great start at the rehabilitation facility. Here are a few suggestions to help you and your mother-in-law prepare for what lies ahead.
I highly encourage both you and your mother-in-law to visit your father-in-law at the rehabilitation facility as frequently as possible. Ask to be present during his therapy sessions and learn caregiving tips from the experts. Attend all care plan meetings. Be his number one cheerleader and advocate. He needs support now so that he can put in the work to make a full recovery.
Before discharge, request a home evaluation. Most rehabilitation facilities offer this as a part of the discharge plan. The facility will transport your father-in-law to his home and complete a therapy session there. Afterward, they’ll make recommendations on how his home can be adapted so that it’s safe. If they can’t provide a home evaluation, you can still request home adaptation recommendations.
Once your father-in-law discharges to home, he may qualify to receive home health services. Home health provides skilled nursing care and therapy (physical, occupational, speech) for a short amount of time. The purpose of home health is to provide continuity of care. His home health team will ensure he’s continuing to make progress towards his goals. I highly encourage you to be present during his home therapy sessions so that you can continue to learn caregiving techniques from professionals.
Before his discharge from home health, work with your mother-in-law to develop a schedule. Include designated time for exercise, following the plan his therapy team has created. Decide when you can help and put that on the schedule. Be sure to include breaks for both yourself and your mother-in-law.
Finally, if the care your father-in-law needs is too burdensome for both you and your mother-in-law, consider hiring a home care company. Home care differs from home health. Home care provides personal care, as well as companionship so that you or your mother-in-law can leave your father-in-law to run errands or take a break. Home health is based solely on a skilled nursing care need or therapy. Home care can supplement the care you and your mother-in-law are able to provide, alleviating some of the burdens of caregiving. Depending on his progress, you can utilize home care for a short amount of time or as a part of your long-term care plans.
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