Originally posted by slick


Believe it or not, my Mom was the caregiver for both my Dad and her Mom, my Grandma for 8 years. Mom would change my Dad's diapers, then go and change my Grandma's diapers, then help Dad into bed and then help Grandma eat....this went on and on for years.
Bless your mom Slick. She sounds like an awesome woman with a heart full of love. She is a real hero in my book! My dad had a stroke and did spend some time in a rehab facility afterward but unfortunately was too old to have the strength to make a recovery. After rehab was over and he was discharged, my brother used to go down to their house to give my dad his walking therapy. He installed railings all along the hallway in my parents' home and would try and keep him as active as possible by walking him up and down the hallway, although it was basically my brother doing of the walking with my dad sort of 'hanging on.'

For us the idea of rehab was not too bad as there are plenty of good rehab places here in Southern New Jersey. I can't imagine having to travel far to see a loved one, and I believe visits from family are what keeps some people motivated and making progress.

Sometimes you can have someone (a professional) come in to help with rehab at home, but of course it is not as intensive as it would be in a facility so I'm not sure how good the results would be. You will be in my thoughts as, since my father's experience, I have watched two other family members cut down with strokes and it is a very painful thing to see people so vibrant and healthy struck down that way. (((hugs))))