stroke

Replies

By lovey

Re: stroke
Sat 3 May 2008 22:20

u need to keep on about a wheelchair ive learnt this from my baby if u dont keep on u dont get write a letter to ur local mp and ur local paper u should see results soon it worked for me regarding another matter.from being in hospital for the last 2yrs ive learnt alot drs dont listen to u but one consultant told me u have to b forseful and tell them what u want or they dont listen.regarding ur husbands stroke my dad had one 7yrs ago and now hes alot better and is able to drive but lost his house and buisness and went into a council house he now says life has never been better as they dont have money worrys now and are garrented to have a home to live in it took along time to reabilate him and now he is left with anger an aggreshon.when my dad had his stroke he went to respite once a week to give my mum a rest,ask for a social worker who can arrange all these things for u they can also do 1 week restbite care every few months so it gives u plenty of me time keep on or u wont get.......also u can get home restbite so u can go ur local cares coffee mornings look in ur local libary for info of nearest groups it really does help to get time to ur self and u are more able to deal with it .if u dont have a social worker ask ur gp or hospital doctor to refer u then keep ringing them so see when they can come and c up keep on and ull and ull win it does get easier in time..........

By chenrezig

Re: stroke
Mon 5 May 2008 17:33

My Dad has had a series of strokes over the past few years...so I know a bit about how you feel being stuck indoors and waitng around for the ST and equipment.

If you haven't done so already, contact Social Services and get an assessment, this can be for both of you, or just your partner, or just you. Can I ask if he was in hospital as they should have got you a Social Worker to get things in place before he came out. They can help with getting an agency to get someone in to help you - in Dad's case they help to get him to bed at night, and we also had an offer them showering him twice a week.

There is some info on this website on carers rights and benefits
www.carers.org

As a guide to what should be out there for you I have posted a link to the DWP website that deals with carers
www.direct.gov.uk

If you would like to find out about having a break it might be worth contacting Crossroads, they sit with my Dad once a week. It took a while to get someone in as they had a waiting list in our area but maybe they could put you on the right track ? I have posted a link to their website where you can search for the branch nearest you.
www.crossroads.org.uk

The Stroke Association has a big website with lots of factsheets - www.stroke.org.uk
they have suppport groups and there may be one close to you if you want to check out this link - www.stroke.org.uk

You don't say how old your partner is, but has he been any kind of employment for a few years or in the Services (Army/Navy/RAF)? The social worker who arranged for some stuff for Dad when he came out of hospital had a list of benevolent societies so any equipment the SS couldn't provide, she was going to contact them to see if they would fund it - as an example Dad needed a riser and she thought it would take a while to get from the SS so she contacted the British Legion as Dad was in the army for a few years to see if they would fund it, they would but as it turned out we got from the SS.

I can't believe (or maybe I can) that you've been waiting for a power chair for 4 years! Maybe the Stroke Association might know of an charity that could help you. Where I live we have a newspaper charity that helped us get a powerpack for Dad's standard wheelchair.

Hope I haven't given you too much to think about in one go. Will be thinking about you and you partner and children and wishing you all the best.

Take Care

Liz