Could I get some opinions please......

[fred59]

My partner is 4 months in from a hypoxic brain injury. After 3 weeks in critical care and 2 weeks on a stroke ward he was transferred to the only rehab unit in this county and has been an inpatient there for 3 months. Physically he isnt too bad (apart from stiff joints?) and is able to carry out all personal care, albeit very slowly. His problems revolve around poor memory and muddled thoughts/comments.

The next step for him was to have been a move to a specialised brain rehab unit, out of county but apparently the very best option for him. He has been accepted there, but funding not yet applied for.

A couple of weeks ago I made a comment to the staff at the current unit that he is a totally different person when I take him out for the day, or when he is somewhere familiar. Still forgets things very quickly, but acts more like himself, rather than a patient. Based on this comment they decided to take him out themselves to see if they could see the change. They said they were really surprised at how well he coped, directing them to his home, making them tea etc.

Following on from this I've now been told that they think it might be a better option for him to return home and have community care workers, rather than spend time at another unfamiliar unit. (Sorry, this is going on a bit isn't it!) My worry is that he wont be getting any neurological help at home and so the weird comments (eg Thinks he is in an airport lounge awaiting flight to Australia etc.......) and poor memory will not be addressed.

No decision has been made yet as they are intending to take him out more to see how he copes with shopping/bank etc. I wonder, is this a funding issue, or does anyone think that actually, home would be best?

Anyone been here before? And what were the results? I'd appreciate your comments.

Thanks.

[bikerlifestyle]

it all depends on the type of help they are prepared to offer him at home

in one way being at home means there is no big jump from when he comes out of rehab to a normal environment with less things challenging him.

and things he learns whilst st home are more likely to become routine based and in comfortable familiar surrounding.

if they are prepared to offer similar treatment at home, then that may be better

but the other side of the coin is he is more likely to get a thorough structured treatment plan as an inpatient which is probably better,

[fred59 in reply to bikerlifestyle]

My thoughts exactly! I have doubts about the level of home care he would receive so am torn because I know he would like to be at home.

[Pazstan]

Hi Jane

I wouldn't think they are trying to avoid funding, but that they genuinely think Andy may make quicker improvements at home. But you are right to be concerned about levels of care because community therapy is low intensity and can dry up quite quickly. Is neuropsychology available where you live as it sounds like this is mainly what he'd need? I would want to know how many sessions of therapy he'd get with each option. You could also (if you get funding) let him go to the brain injury unit and make sure he comes out for extended weekend leave as much as possible. Some people come on leaps and bounds when they are in their familiar environment. In hospital he doesn't need to make decisions so it is easy to let someone else run his life!

When do you expect to hear about the funding? Also as his assessments are still ongoing you will hopefully get some good feedback from this too.

Let me know how you get on

Paula

[Lubilu01]

Jane. I would contact the headway helpline for advice, this is his life they are making decisions about, everyone is different, he may well benefit from being in his own familiar surroundings, especially with a good level of care, however if the care he would receive in a rehab unit would be better then thats where he should br. In the grand scheme of things it is best he is wherever he will receive the best care which in the long run will benefit him the most.

[fred59]

Thank you everyone for your replies. It's really useful to hear other peoples thoughts as I have to make all the decisions and sometimes I doubt myself.