How can I get my father to walk again?

Hi Nixon,

Thank you for reaching out to Ask A Health Professional on Enableme. I am sorry to hear about your dad’s stroke and its ongoing impact on him.

Have you discussed your wishes with your dad’s medical and allied health teams? If not, I would highly encourage you to discuss this with them to gain their insight and find out what support they can provide.

You may also wish to engage a Neurological physiotherapist, which is a specialist area of physiotherapy. This health professional focuses on assessing and treating people with difficulties that have resulted from brain injury or disease after they experience a stroke or other neurological event. Neurological physiotherapists are experts in analyzing movements, which areas to treat, and addressing a wide range of impairments. They also assess the impairments that result from a neurological condition, and how this impacts function.   Impairments can include muscle weakness, sensory changes, loss of balance, loss of function and loss of independence. A neurological physiotherapist can empower individuals through rehabilitation and education to maximise their potential and quality of life using evidence-based rehabilitation.  

To find a physiotherapist near you, I would start by talking with your dad’s GP. His GP may have some local physiotherapists that they regularly use and know well. As you mentioned your dad is bed bound, they may know of a physiotherapist that would do home visits. It is also a good idea to talk with your GP about whether your dad might be eligible for the chronic disease Management Plan (GP care plan). If eligible this will allow him to access up to 5 sessions of Physiotherapy in a 12-month period at a Medicare rebated rate. There will still be an out-of-pocket cost associated with the Physio session, but it will be less than paying for a private service. If your dad has Private Health Insurance, you might also be able to access a Physio as a rebated rate, so check with his insurer. 

You can also search for a private Physiotherapist at Find a physio - Choose physio | Australian Physiotherapy Association. You can search for a physio who specialises in neurological issues by using the search function topic of neurology. 

I hope this information is helpful for you.

If you would like more information or support, please reach out to Strokeline, via phone – 1800 787 653 or via email – strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm, AEST.

Best wishes,

Jo (Strokeline)

That helps, A great start in my effort to identify best/available resources to address my Dad medical condition. I will be making calls n check around as advised.  

I'd like remind you that I will be asking or seek further advice going forward as and when the need arises . Thank you 

Yed hope for the best that's all , I still can't walk after 7 years since I had my stroke , may be some day he will recover , but so as the doctors say and hopefully he will walk again . Remember every thing is meant to be , may be he will walk and may be he won't .

Garry, I find comfort in your words. It hurts to see him struggling... I'm told by doctor he will eventually walk but he needs to play his part too.. he is giving up but I'm pushing him to take his medication to address lose of memory and vitamin to strengthen his bones. He needs a physiotherapist and I'm asking around. Hopefully he gets the required help needed to recover and get back on his feet.

Thanks for sharing your experience Garry