Notes from mom's annual assessment meeting held today:
OT – she is working on dressing – they are working on bathrooming (Sarita Lift)
Having her pull herself up using bars to get on the toilet.
They do light resistant exercise – they use weights and therabands
They did washing hands at the sink.
Mitts?
Feeding tube? Everyone thinks it should come out. She has met all of her feeding goals.
Speech – she is working on cognittve goals (Wh questions to unscrambling words and sequencing events) Her attention is all over the place so she has to take the big task and break it down into little tasks)
They are going to continue to work on high-level tasks. She is able to get to the answer when it is broken down. Dr. told dad that he was going to give medication to “get her brain to work.” They were thinking of giving her a neuro-stimulator to get her brain to work. (We will do some research to see what the consensus is with regard to neurostimulators and stroke recovery – we need to consider her ability to sleep if on stimulants – also anxiety levels elevating. We will also obviously consult with our nerologist)
Research - WHAT KIND OF ADHD MEDICATIONS ARE USED WITH PEOPLE WITH BRAIN INJURY OR STROKE.
Long term memory is better than short term memory.
If a calendar is shown to her she has a difficult time looking at the calendar and answering questions. (Too much information presented at once)
There are many times where she doesn’t understand what you want her to do. She may be able to do the task, but has trouble processing the directions. (This was part of her personality before the stroke as well)
If she plateaus she will be discontinued. (with regard to therapies)
Following written directions – I noticed that mom can read anything but there are times she can’t read a direction and then follow through with the motor action – for example, if I write on a card, “Put the buttons in the container” she won’t know what to do.
Nursing wise the supervisor met with dad and she is checking her everyday.
We brought up the fact that she isn’t cared for every two hours as she should be (toileting). The nursing supervisor said she will be on top of that, but that we need to get her if this continues.
Kathy told nursing supervisor ONCE AGAIN that she needs to be called on her cell when there is an issue. While we were in Boston they called her home when mom got out of bed.
Kathy said that the weekend staff said that the sarita is too difficult and she should be using the hoja. The nursing Supervisor said that the CNA’s may not understand that the sarita is getting her to stand and use her muscles. She said she would talk to them (AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Sorry, I had to scream because 16 months later and we are discussing the same things!!!)
Kathy and I came up with the idea of writing a social story about using the sarita. Mom doesn’t like it because it pulls under her arms. We want her to understand that using it will build up her muscles which will help in walking.
SOCIAL STORY ABOUT THE SARITA – It will help me use my muscles so I can walk.
These notes were written while the meeting was going on and I am not a fast typist, so forgive me for the choppy style.
All in all, mom is making progress. We still have a long road ahead. Please pray for stamina for my family, for mom and us.
~Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I grow, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be…
Peace and be well,
~Claud
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