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I'm taking care of a lady 62 who doesn't seem motivated to do for herself. She had an anuersym, brain bleed, and stroke. I haven't been able to meet her dr or therapist. What can I do to help her help herself?

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Have you been hired to help her? Are you a family member or friend?
If you are not listed on her HIPAA forms the doctor and therapist can not give you any information. There are legalities involved in disclosing Private Medical Information.

If you are a friend. You encourage her the best you can.

If you are a hired caregiver you do what is in your scope of care. If you have been hired to help her and encourage her to do things and she does not or refuses then all you can do is document. Be clear and concise in your documentation. If you find that you are not doing what you have been hired to do because of her refusal then I would talk to your employer and suggest another caregiver and step away from this client.
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Reply to Grandma1954
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My question is, why are you caring for this lady. Are you a hired aide? A friend? Or family member? Because if a friend or an aide would not be privy to her medical records or meetingbher doctor or therapist unless they held medical POA. If a family member, do you hold POA and if not does anyone.

A brain bleed is serious and can do a lot of damage as can a stroke. It all depends on what part of the brain is affected. If you are not a trained occupational therapist, not sure how you can help. Did she have rehabbin a facility? Does she have a physical therapist come to her home?
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Reply to JoAnn29
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If you are ‘taking care’ of this lady, SHE needs help, not you. You can’t provide her with ‘motivation’. Do the job you are paid to do. If the lady isn’t your employer, talk to your employer about your ideas. If this isn’t ‘employment’, think carefully about whether taking on responsibility is good for her and also good for you. Don’t try and organise her life yourself.
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Reply to MargaretMcKen
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Are you a trained caregiver?
What is your relationship to this woman.
Those questions answered will get a bit of advice from me.
If you aren't a trained caregiver you and her family need to understand that young as she is, there is a lot of depression involved in strokes AS WELL AS a lot of brain changes. She is not entirely in control of her reactions and intentions, nor will you be. The family will be the worst support as they have "skin in the game" and will have least effect on here; in fact she will fight them. The PT and OT and rehab workers will be best.
You as a caregiver are there to address her needs while still not robbing her of autonomy. So to say, you do things she CANNOT do and you require her to do things that she can, even if slowly and with difficulty. When she says "Cut my STEAK! It is too difficult for me!" you will need to tell her "But it is really good to try because that trying will strengthen your bones, tendons and muscles; it is your way to wellness, so take your time and try; if you need me I am right here".

You will discuss with family that they should discuss with her MDs any ideas of motivation, OT, PT, rehab, a try at a low dose anti depressant and so on.

What this is basically is trial and error. Be patient and understanding and be sure to praise every small step.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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There's really not much you can do to motivate someone as motivation comes from within a person and not from an outside source.
If this lady's needs are more than you can handle then you may have to talk with her family about having her placed in the appropriate facility.
And as long as family and caregivers continue to enable her, she will never be motivated to do for herself.
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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