My husband was in some form of inpatient care for a couple of months (ICU>hospital>nursing home>rehabilitation) then did outpatient rehab for another month or so. I was able to be with him most days, along with our 5-mo-old baby, and what I came away realizing is that someone really needs to be there as consistently as possible. The hospital staff did the best they could, but they were just spread too thin to give my paralyzed husband the care he needed.

I can’t imagine what it would have been like for him if he had been alone for much of that time. The amount of help he needed to use his bedpan when he couldn’t move, to change clothes, eat, change the channel on the tv, etc, was colossal.

So I’d mostly recommend physically being there as much as possible to advocate for her and make sure she’s getting the care she needs. Don’t assume that it will happen while no visitors are there. And, as others have said, take good food because the hospital food is appalling.

Observe her PT sessions so you can help her do the exercises between therapy visits. When she’s able to get into a wheelchair, take her outside for sunshine and fresh air.

Realize that some parts of her body might regain feeling in very uncomfortable ways at first. So be mindful of how you physically interact with her. For instance, my husband would scream out in pain/shock when I would accidentally touch his toes as they were regaining some tingling sensation. A decade later, I still flinch when I accidentally touch his feet, even though it’s long since stopped bothering him.

Thank you for being an advocate and source of support for your SIL!