My lovely 52 year old partner suffered a double cardiac arrest in October 23 and following a stay in ICU he was transferred to a NHS rehab unit in November of the same year. On Dec 8th 2023 he contracted sepsis and was rushed back to ICU with the consultant not thinking he would survive the transfer - however he did and spent until the 3rd of February 2025 in an orthopaedic ward with little help from physio or OT. He is finally in rehab and suffers with limited mobility, communication issues, agitation, hypoxic brain injury , incontinence - the list goes on. Does anyone have an information or back stories to help me move forward? As the rehab unit is about 120 mile round trip for me it isn’t a quick trip at any time. As he is in care PIP have said he isn’t eligible for payment even though I have to buy clothes, trainers and just recently a TV for his room, that’s before we even start on petrol. I’m just really reaching out for any advice or help from anyone being left in the same situation.
thanks in advance to anyone that reads this
Xxx
Written by
Lookingtothestars
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
dad had a heart attach in my garden, was in intensive care for a week. When he came out was talking weird things, accused cousin of stealing his car?! Came home to mum. Second heart attack was in St George’s for a few weeks, had a urinal infection, had to move other patients out. He called mum to say there was terrorist holding up a petrol station outside his window?!! Bro went into ward to see him I sat with mum, y not my fucking son!! Doctor injected him as he punched my bro?!! Mum was afraid of him, didn’t want him home like this?!!! Had a pacemaker fitted, wheelchair bound, I had to hold piss bottle to him so he could relieve himself!! He lived another 8 year with carers. Sorry if not helpful
My hubby was similar he had a cardiac arrest jun24 with 45mins down time left him with hypoxic brain injury with the same issues you are describing he spent from jun to nov after icu on a cardiac ward suffering a number of serious infections along the way, with very little physio or ot input then moved to rehab in nov. When he arrived at rehab he wasn't interacting with therapy just slept a lot until they changed his medication to one they use for parkinsons disease he then started interact with therapy and was discharged last week he still has mobility issues and incontence probs , his agitation has gone, communication has improved immensely with the help of speech n language therapy. We have an assessment tomoz with the community brain injury team n hopefully should continue his therapies at home. His has just been successful in gaining attendance allowance on discharge as he's 70 yrs old but nothing whilst in hospital n required a lot of clothing as lost a tremendous amount of weight. I was lucky in distance to rehab unit was 20 miles away so not sure if any help out there for this.
I am so sorry to hear your story. Ideally you need him in a nearer rehab, but if the current rehab is good and meets his needs, then it's a difficult decision. My husband had 4 months in his first rehab, many miles from home. But after that we were able to move him nearer. I got proactive and researched the nearer rehabs and checked them out too. The social worker agreed my first choice, when the time came.I used to record myself reading my loved one his favourite books, for the days I could not visit..and when staff were able, they held the phone to his ear for my calls.
It's a horrible situation that you are in. I do hope things improve. Well done for getting PIP in place, like you, I got it granted, but it was never 'actioned' as I never actually got him home. I do hope things get better for you both.
From personal experience I would advise you start your PIP application asap and ask the rehab people to help fill it in. It’s over 30 pages long and they will describe his problems better than you can. You may also have to apply to become his Responsible Person, I think that comes first in fact. In our case someone from the Council then came over to our house to verify it all before PIP got authorised. In our case the PIP application all went through and I received a letter telling me this and to phone them to let them know when my daughter was coming home so they could begin payments, which as you say don’t start until they come home.
Also contact Headway asap. As well as much other advice, they may have some grants to help you stay over near the rehab.
Hi thanks so much for your help. I have done PIP and because he is in hospital/ care rehab. He has limited mobility and 121 care 24/7 and is unable to provide any self care or eat independently. I am his representative for DOLS and his responsible person. I think Headway is my next stop. Thanks again for your help xx
My husband aged 61 next month had cardiac arrest july last year with 20 mins down timeThey sent him to rehab, which was horrendous he was hallucinating,imagining things, they failed to diagnose a water infection. He broke out they got the police and was full of bruises on his arms which where clearly finger marks ( complaint made to pals). I also had to travel but not as far as you.
He could walk and feed himself by the time he got to rehab and was getting a little better but because of the horrendous care he went down hill fast. I had a meeting and brought him home after 2 weeks in there. He also suffered infections he had cellitus. He has come on leaps and bounds at home. I still couldn't let hi
m out by himself and he couldn't look after himself at home so I'm here 24/7 . But I take him to our club we always went to and I take him gym and swim were he is doing 16 lengths along way off what he used to do but for what he's been through this is amazing. For me bringing him home was the best decision
We have an OT who comes to the house as did physio at first. I found taking him out to socialise was good for him too.
He can still be a bit unstable wobbling when he walks and still memory problems - struggles to remember alot of things due to his hypoxic brain injury. The doctors think this it for me a new norm of life. But after 8 months I can have some conversation and he makes me laugh.
Headway is a charity for survivors of any brain injury however it is caused. They have day centres here can attend and they will provide support, rehab and advice on benefits and help you fill in forms. The disability project is also a charity that will assist benefits claims and legal advice. Money mentors can also help, to be referred try new starts charity. Social prescribing available from GP can signpost you too service in the community and networkers for support. CAB, age UK. Stroke association and community association can support with communication and mobility aids. Love N hugs
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
How honest should I be?
Brain Haemorrhage recovery 
Advice for a newbie please
Hello and advice for my dad
