Stroke rehab and nursing care
#1
Stroke rehab and nursing care
Hello. My parents both live in Spain and have done since 2006. My mother had a large stroke at the end of last year and after around 2 weeks in hospital she was discharged. My elderly father is doing all her care (bed bound and tube fed). Unfortunately, my dad is computer illiterate and never learned Spanish (that was Mum's domain). And so, can I ask you expats if you know of any home nursing support and perhaps physio that is available in Spain and how to access it. I'm writing to her each week and no doubt any help/advice will be greatly received. I'm in Australia and feel a bit helpless. Thank you.
#2
Re: Stroke rehab and nursing care
Hello. My parents both live in Spain and have done since 2006. My mother had a large stroke at the end of last year and after around 2 weeks in hospital she was discharged. My elderly father is doing all her care (bed bound and tube fed). Unfortunately, my dad is computer illiterate and never learned Spanish (that was Mum's domain). And so, can I ask you expats if you know of any home nursing support and perhaps physio that is available in Spain and how to access it. I'm writing to her each week and no doubt any help/advice will be greatly received. I'm in Australia and feel a bit helpless. Thank you.
It must be awful for you being so far away and not able to help them.
Hope that you will gain some insights on here soon.
Rosemary
#3
Re: Stroke rehab and nursing care
Sorry! They live in La Marina in the Costa Blanca just south of Alicante.
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Costa Blanca
Posts: 3,120
Re: Stroke rehab and nursing care
There are a lot of organisations that can help in the La Marina (Costa Blanca, south Alicante area) - see here
http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-.../useful-links/
(see near bottom of page)
I have a friend in La Marina that may also be able to help as well (PM me)
http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-.../useful-links/
(see near bottom of page)
I have a friend in La Marina that may also be able to help as well (PM me)
#6
Re: Stroke rehab and nursing care
are they 'plugged in' to state healthcare? - they should ask the local social worker if there is any help available
you could try the HELP association in Torrevieja - they are English speaking & might be able to advise of something nearer if they are too far away themselves (about 20km)
http://www.torreviejainformation.com...ion-Torrevieja
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2009
Location: Alicante province
Posts: 5,753
Re: Stroke rehab and nursing care
Here is another website which could be helpful, it's for Torrevieja but La Marina isn't very far away and they are most helpful.
http://www.torreviejainformation.com/ageconcern/
If your parents belong to the Spanish social security system, which is most likely, then there is help available from that source, including home visits from qualified staff, but they are Spanish speaking.
There are also a few private nursing services staffed by English speaking staff, but they are quite expensive. The local English newspapers, like the Costa Blanca News, which you can find online, carry adverts for them.
An experiences medical interpreter in the La Marina area may also be helpful.
Age concern is probably your best bet to start with.
http://www.torreviejainformation.com/ageconcern/
If your parents belong to the Spanish social security system, which is most likely, then there is help available from that source, including home visits from qualified staff, but they are Spanish speaking.
There are also a few private nursing services staffed by English speaking staff, but they are quite expensive. The local English newspapers, like the Costa Blanca News, which you can find online, carry adverts for them.
An experiences medical interpreter in the La Marina area may also be helpful.
Age concern is probably your best bet to start with.
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 196
Re: Stroke rehab and nursing care
not sure if La Marina comes under Orihuela but I know there is a department in the town hall that deals with all social needs. My friend was able to get a tracking system for her husband who has alzheimers and wonders away on his own, this is monitored by the red cross who alerts his wife if he crosses the boundary. She has also been told that although the Spanish don't provide home help they give you a very generous allowance to enable you to pay for it. I know Jennifer Cunningham nurses also operate in the area also HELP Vega Baja. I am sure someone more local will help, La Marina has a huge English population and nobody is better at helping in a crisis or fundraising for charity.
#9
Re: Stroke rehab and nursing care
Thank you all so much for your help. I'm sure I'll be able to find some help for my parents - I knew there must have been a bonus for living in such a big expat community.
#10
Waiting for GC
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 124
Re: Stroke rehab and nursing care
not sure if La Marina comes under Orihuela but I know there is a department in the town hall that deals with all social needs. My friend was able to get a tracking system for her husband who has alzheimers and wonders away on his own, this is monitored by the red cross who alerts his wife if he crosses the boundary. She has also been told that although the Spanish don't provide home help they give you a very generous allowance to enable you to pay for it. I know Jennifer Cunningham nurses also operate in the area also HELP Vega Baja. I am sure someone more local will help, La Marina has a huge English population and nobody is better at helping in a crisis or fundraising for charity.
http://www.paulcunninghamnurses.com/who-are-we-
I'm a RN and they seem to have a pretty well qualified staff.
As an ex stroke specialist nurse I empathise for your parents and yourself.
My parents are elderly and in the UK and I'm an only child.We live in the USA and I do worry about what would happen if they were no longer independent, or only one of them was around.
Good Luck
If you have any question re your Mums health that I might be able to help with please feel free to PM me.