Hey everyone. Not sure where to post this, but this forum has been so helpful in the past and so I thought I would try it again. My grandmother had a stroke and she is in the hospital currently, and with their short staff and well disregard for elderly patients, my family and I are worried that my grandmother is not getting enough of the physical and speech therapy she needs to show improvement. When she was in the ICU, there were therapists coming in each day and she was showing improvement, but then they moved her to a stroke unit and all but forgot about her. She is now getting minimal therapy. I was wondering if there's a way to fix this. If anyone has experience with this? How to get more help ( other than trying to advocate because that hasn't been working). Is there any way to pay more to get more help? Or agencies that partner with hospitals to do this thing? I don't know just trying to exhaust every possible option. Thank you!
First thing is find out what level of therapy is he being given now? Discuss this with the social workers ...... right now! If you don't .... he will fall through the cracks. It was difficult getting Mom her therapy 10 years ago when hospitals and rehab centers were well staffed. Then came covid and it's a totally different story now. Health care staff at all levels and titles are running for their lives and everything is short staffed.
I will never forget that, as it let me know that older people were less of a priority to these people. It also let me know the importance of having a family member or friend accompany the person in rehab to make sure they are receiving the therapy they need and deserve.
Speak to the above mentioned as soon as possible. You will be able to give and get a lot of information, and possibly help with the discharge planning.
Good luck.