Confusion in recovery phase

[Miltch]

Hi, my dad is now in a neuro rehab facility, after being in hospital with severe covid. Because of his brain injury, covid caused encephalitis and spasticity to his legs and we’re praying they can get him walking again. What I’m concerned about at the moment is, he’s still very confused and his memory is not good, he has no ability to withhold the information of where he is and why he’s there. He can remember things from years ago but not what he had for lunch or if he’s had physio that day. Is this normal and does it improve over time?

[cat3]

Short term memory loss and confusion are common after-effects of brain injury, as is confabulation. I talked utter nonsense and didn't recognise loved ones after a brain bleed, and had a memory span of seconds.

The brain's recalibrating can be a long process and confusion is a common stage of that process. And the timeframe is dependent on so many aspects such as individual's history and unique physiological makeup.

Inner progress is invisible to onlookers and only after weeks or months is it eventually reflected outwardly. I hope you'll see some obvious improvements soon m'love. Best wishes, Cat x

[Miltch in reply to cat3]

Thanks Cat. We’re hoping once he’s in his home environment, the confusion will lessen, he was a fit, healthy, intelligent man, who looked after himself and worked every day, before he became very ill with covid.

[Pairofboots]

Hi Mitch, as cat said that memory is often a casualty with brain injury. Confusion is also common. You imagine going to sleep, and then waking up in a whole new world where nothing is the same.

Recovery does depend on the individual case, some make a good recovery, some will have a noticeable difference. As for the individual, whether they know the difference is harder to understand from the observer.

Age can play a part in recovery, the older an individual is, the less well the body/brain has the ability to repair itself. This is a general observation, and pre-morbid health will play a part in recovery.

I am fairly analytical in the way I try to explain, part of my past, and recovery, but I would sooner speak plainly so as not to give false hope or create a feeling of dread.

Unfortunately when it comes to the brain, and it's recovery, you will hear 'early days', 'too soon to know', and as I have said '.... individual case', amongst other phrases. This is because it is the long game.

From the experience of my dad's own brain injury, I do think that the people around the individual can play an important role in maintaining a positive, but realistic hope. Much of the positive recovery is built on the early input although this is the time that you see the least forward recovery, you have to start from a positive perspective, and the better the rehab the better the outcome, from the smallest step that seems insignificant, to discharge and beyond.

I wish you and your dad well.

[Miltch in reply to Pairofboots]

Thank you for your response, he has made small improvements in the week he’s been in rehab. Started to use his phone to phone us and calling the nurse with the button when he needs help.It’s a miracle he survived, but we want to do everything we can to get him to a good quality of life. He was in hospital for 6 months and we we’re with him all day, every day, once he was out of icu. We fed him, washed, shaved, stimulated him, etc.

It definitely made a difference!

[Pairofboots in reply to Miltch]

Sounds like you are doing all the right things, I'm sure that will make all the difference.