Normally, I would happily start offering advice which is a result of me being a carer for a stroke survivor who had it tough from the word go. When this happened to us, we were clueless and a bit slow off the mark in finding help and information etc. Since then we have seen and learned a lot and have tried to share it on this forum.
With the pre-amble out of the way, I would like to start by saying you come across as clued up and “relaxed” - sorry, I can’t find the best word, but I am trying to say you appear not to be panicking or stressing which from my point of view is good.
The advice I can offer is firstly try (and you may not succeed) to get as much accurate and reliable information from the stroke team caring for your Dad. They should be best placed to give the best advice and information about your Dad’s condition. This is very important because what happens next depends on knowing exactly where your Dad sits on the post-stroke recovery path.
There is no single piece or collection of information that I can give because it really depends on knowing where your Dad is. That said, there are things you can do such as remain very calm.
Your Dad will likely be able to communicate in some way - this might be verbally or sign language etc. Be patient and give him time to respond. You say he had limited speech and recognised you in the first week. This is good because it means he is able to communicate, but he may not wish to if he is tired and needs rest.
Rest - he may need a lot of rest as he recovers from the stroke and this usually means he will sleep a lot. This is fine, let him rest. Whist he’s resting, you (or visitors) can sit by his bed and you can hold his hand and stroke his hand etc. but don’t force him to wake up. If he is awake or responds to touch and wakes, talk to him, let him know you are there and assure him he is being looked after in hospital which right noe is probably the best place for him.
My advice is be there for him, let him come around in his own time, try and find out what his care plan will likely look like from the doctors and think about how you might facilitate this i.e. where and how he will be cared for etc.
Until you know his exact condition, you cannot know what you can do to help. Right now the best thing you can do is be there, hold him, speak to him, let him know you love him and he should try not to worry - he is in hospital and he is in good hands. This may help him relax. When is communicates, listen and respond as appropriate.
You may have many questions as his care needs are identified, but for now, I believe he just needs to know his loved ones are there for him. If he is able to make decisions then he should be allowed to do so and be listened to - this is about him and his care needs. He will need help and that is what you and the other members of the family and friends can do.
Visiting him and being there for him as much as you can is good in my view, but you only respond when he needs you. When you go there to visit, ask the care team how he is and how he is responding and then decide if you sit with him. You can read to him, talk to him, play music (not too loud) etc.
At this stage, it is difficult to offer specifics, but in time as you know more about the situation I am sure we will be able to offer more.
The care he needs is specific to his condition and this may depend on the severity of the stroke, how much help he requires, how old he is (age plays a big part in the type of recovery and the help he may get). Also, though it should not be the case, the establishment where he is being cared for makes a big difference - they do not all work to the same standards and do not all have the same resources. On that front, you should try and do as much research as possible as to what you/your Dad would like in terms of being cared for and the post-stroke rehab.
I wish you and your Dad all the best.
Namaste|
