Adrian was rushed to hospital in January 2022, where he suffered multiple strokes and subsequently remained in hospital for a total of 18 months. Adrian and his wife have had to overcome significant challenges, with his wife being a constant advocate for his care and for input to continue and ultimately led to Adrian being able to return to living at home in May 2023.
Adrian was previously in the RAF for 25 years, and Help for Heroes initiated an assessment with Hobbs rehabilitation. His intensive therapy input was then organised privately, allowing Adrian to have focused rehabilitation over a 4 week period, whilst still taking into consideration his fatigue levels. He had the opportunity to continue re-learning and practice day to day skills including moving, walking, dressing himself, talking, drinking and even made his wife a cup of tea in the kitchen!
●Trunk weakness and sitting posture
●Right upper limb
●Transfers and mobility
●Speech and communication
●Swallow (PEG in place for all food and drinks)
●Vision and perception
●Cognitive and physical fatigue
●Able to self-propel in wheelchair short distances with close supervision
●Reliance on carers and use of handling belt to complete all transfers; difficult sit to stand requiring assistance of 2 carers
●Thickener required for all drinks and not drinking by mouth
Intensive 4 week block of multidisciplinary input, with joined up discipline working, including:-
●Occupational therapy
●Physiotherapy
●Speech and language therapy
●Neuropsychology
●Hydrotherapy & Gym sessions
Focus of MDT input:-
●Right upper limb strengthening and rehab exercise program developed – increasing use in function
●Strengthening right lower limb
●Gait re-education (walking practice)
●Explored assistive technology options to assist with total communication at home – looked at Smartbox
●Investigations to review swallow
●Review of vision and perception in function
●Review of mood and adjustment as part of rehab input
●Fatigue management strategies
●Explore function and meaningful activities
●Review of all transfers in different environments i.e. bathroom, car, bed
●Working closely with Adrian’s regular carers and teaching strategies and rehab approach encouraged to continue once home
●Onward referrals and recommendations for local teams
●Able to sit in perched position at the kitchen worksurface using a perching stool to complete a task with supervision (to make a drink for himself and his wife)
●Able to complete armchair transfers using wheeled zimmer frame and assistance of 1 person (without use of handling belt)
●Increased use of right UL in functional tasks and ability to dress/undress self
●Improved confidence with swallowing with goal to enjoy a coffee with his wife more regularly
●Completing car transfers with improved technique for independence and those supporting him
●Self-propelling in wheelchair further distances and with more confidence
The whole team have amazing skills which are tailored to the individual. Positive environment for rehab. We are continually striving for improvement, which we feel they (Hobbs) can offer help with.
