"Physiotherapy not really helpful"

an elderly friend had a bad fall at home and was admitted to ward 226. had an operation to pin and plate the femur. op went well and returned to ward. patient used buzzer to get attention for toilet needs, waited over 20 mins and was found sitting in their own mess. this happened on more than one occation.

Physiotherapy is the main issue.

the patient has severe dementia, therefore take a lot to get them to perform basic tasks. Physio's talk in their "lingo" not in basic english. the patient had very limited mobilty before fall and physio are expecting a performance beyond the patients ability.

the main cause for concern is that the family know how to handle the patient as the condition has existed for over ten years. now the patient is being handled in a totally different manner causing confusion and therfore slowing progress.

can i take this opportunity to remind all readers that patents with dementia need special considerations. and familiar surroundings help recovery. and whilst Physiotherapy is important, 15-20 mins a day doing excersisee on the ward is possibly not the best way. surely tailored help at home as soon as the patient is "Medically fit" for discharge would gain better results and faster return to normal mobility. even with just basic daily tasks mobility would return faster than 20 minutes a day in unfamiliar surroundings.