EnableMe | enableme - stroke recovery and support

Help me find services please in WA

Susanon January 30, 2022

5 Comments

Hi Everyone,

My 94 year old Father had a stroke last week, and life has been a blur for my family since that day.

As you see this you might think - well he's old even though it's sad it's part of life.

He and my 94 year old Mum live in my childhood home, they do(did) everything for themselves except they have a Lawn Mowing service and a cleaner twice a week.

Dad was fit and walked, played bowls, did the shopping, drove, cleaning up the garden, so was very physically and mentally active.

He went from Sir Charles Gardner hospital to Osborne Park hospital on day 5, but is waiting in a general ward for acceptance into the Stroke ward. Today is day 11.

I found the My Stroke Journey book on this website, and it is the first time there has been any sort of introduction to Dad's journey or recovery.

Now I know that our public health system in WA is under immense pressure, and we don't even have Covid over there yet..........but our experience in the public system has been variable and sproadic, with some great nursing staff, some appalling issues, and just frustration that we don't seem to have met with the people who make decisions, and have all agreed and understood the plan moving forward.

Dad has top hospital private health cover, and yet I have read here that it doesn't always mean getting better care.

I have been told that you have a 12 week window for treatment to see major physical improvement, and after that it is miniscule in comparison.

I am looking for help from you who have been through what we are going through now, how do I find out the whole range of inpatient stroke rehabilitation services in Perth?

Dad's stroke has not affected his cognitive function, but he cannot use his left side.

His arm is the most affected and he cannot use it, he has minimal use of his left leg, and his mouth and speech are only slightly affected.

At the moment we feel like we have to be at the hospital at least twice a day to feed him lunch and dinner and to make sure what things for his basic comfort are being taken care of.

Thank you in advance for all your suggestions.

Susan

5 Responses

Ian

02/02/2022 03:20

Hi Susan, I am from WA and had a stroke 3 years I opted for the Public System either though I had private health insurance and felt that I got good treatment.

I suggest that you attend Osborne Park Stroke Group meeting, or one of the other stroke group meetings that are still operational in Perth. (I know that the stroke meetings in Nedlands, Shenton Park, Inglewood listed on the Enableme site are no longer operational. But you can get the contact details from the Enableme site for Osborne Park.

By attending the stroke group meetings you could talk to other stroke survivors and see what services are available. However I don’t know if they would be familiar with services for your father’’s age. Also Covid may have led to cessation of these groups.

You could also try private Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists who specialise in Neurological conditions. I saw a Physiotherapist in Mt Hawthorn and a private OT came to my house for about 3 weeks until the public Physiotherapist and OT commenced.

Tracking down appropriate services is very frustrating and I hope that my suggestions are beneficial.

Ian

02/02/2022 03:25

Sorry Susan, I apologise for misreading your blog. I thought your dad was an outpatient and reading you blog again I realise he is an inpatient

Susan

02/02/2022 04:09

Hi Ian,

Thank you for your comments and I hope you are recovering well from your stroke.

In the last few days we have got some more information and feel a little better placed to understand and make decisions, including some wonderful support and info from the StrokeLine team.

We have our fingers crossed that he will be transferred to the Stroke ward at Osborne Park Hospital soon, and will have a family meeting within the next week.

Unfortunately for us, the visiting hours in hospital changed on Monday because of covid, so that is frustrating, but we now know how to contact Dad's care team which is a relief.

Take care

boosan

03/02/2022 17:55

Hind Susan,

As Diana says the Stroke Foundation Help Line will certainly be able to guide you in the right direction. It has certainly become a lot more difficult with the Covid restrictions to get support but it is available and you just need some support and help to get the help you need.

You dont have to go it alone Good Luck

Bruce 11years post stroke.

Diana

02/02/2022 23:36

Hi Susan, the StrokeLine team should be able to help. Call them on 1800 787 653.

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