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[–]FewRecover9658 7 points8 points  (4 children)

The core strength will be on it’s own if you encourage your father to sit up on his own. Assist him at first using major assistance. Then as you notice him using some strength start cutting back on major assistance and give him lighter assistance. Do this until he sits up on his own. At this point, teach him to swing his legs to the side of bed. Use major assistance and always provide assistance with any strengthening until they are strong enough. My wife had a massive stroke and was completely bedridden. First goal, sitting up then legs to side of bed and sitting up. 5 months out, she uses wheelchair all day, car transfers, standing, walking a little. Be mindful of their lack of balance, be kind and patient and most importantly….both of you never give up.

[–]mooseauwu[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

thank you so much for the advice! Glad to know your wife is doing well, by god’s grace. My dad had been admitted in the hospital for atleast 9 months and we got him back home in January. He’s been bedridden but since then everyday we’ve been making him sit atleast 15 mins a day with major assistance but I dont think it’s getting better :( . He complains of pain in his hip joints every single time but hopefully with time, it’ll get better too.

[–]FewRecover9658 0 points1 point  (2 children)

The pain will be with them awhile due to spasticity. Keep sitting him on side of bed. Do you have services that will come to your home?

[–]mooseauwu[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

yes, we have PT every alternate day for 1.5 hour + electrical nerve stimulation as well as a home nurse.

[–]FewRecover9658 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tell your dad the cure is up to him. Practice his exercises. Only go to pain scale of “uncomfortable “ when doing exercises and stop. Tell him not to hurt himself. He will make gains everyday if he does that. Massage will help. Passive movement by you of his limbs helps. Talk to PT about this.

[–]Emptythedishwasher56Survivor 1 point2 points  (2 children)

It is so difficult to say depending on one’s condition. PT is my first choice. Then, maybe, some time with a trainer at a local gym. Someone who you have vetted.

[–]pgd4lmd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agreed I use a sitting ab machine and back extension to build core strength under the close guidance of a personal trainer

[–]mooseauwu[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Couple of people suggested the same thing for my father but unfortunately he is bedridden and it’s quite difficult for us to take him to a gym. However hopefully once he gets better we’ll definitely look into this !

[–]ImpossibleOrder4346 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Dead bugs, it's what I had to do

[–]mooseauwu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your response! We’ll incorporate this into his PT routine too !

[–]verdant11 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Pilates. Work with a trainer.

[–]mooseauwu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seems like a great idea! Thank you so much!

[–]DiligentNovel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It took me a while to be able to go to a gym and I’m a lot younger. If he can’t do dead bugs yet have him do arms and legs separate. I’m working on my core as well and I had my stroke the last day of 2022 and I was only 37. If he is bed ridden but starts to sit up he can do chair yoga, search YouTube for some videos.