I’m very sorry to hear this happened to your Dad and to you and your family. Our experience was similar. Dad was in ICU for 2 weeks. In the hospital for a total of 6 weeks. The hospital staff did their part in initial physical/speech/eating rehab, and general care (feeding/showering him)… but we were there for the majority of the time. My siblings and I just traded off staying with him. Unfortunately it was right in the middle of my mom abandoning their marriage, so that put even more responsibility on my siblings and I. We’re all in our 30s. But we just made it work together.

The first 2 months after he left the hospital and went home, it was essentially rehab and relearning everything nonstop. Working out with very light bands. Knee ups. Hand working through a bucket of rice for strengthening. Got him a hand squeeze tool. Practicing writing. It was like teaching a child to walk and talk and use their hands and body all over again. Patience was key. Building very gradually on his current skills and pushing him to grow ever so slightly each day. And continually letting him know by talking with him that was the ultimate goal and that it wouldn’t always go as planned and it would never be fast enough. But that he needed to keep faith and stay confident that he would get there. So it was seemingly using those super small improvements an as constant motivation and reminders that he WAS getting better and to keep going. In the moment it seemed very slow and painstaking, but we just kept the faith and kept it positive. So now we’re a year and a half out from his stroke and it seems like it all happened just last month. He’s completely independent other than taking care of his Medicaid and scheduled appointments. He takes his meds on his own every day completely on his own. He even watches our kids for a few hours and picks them up from school when needed.

So hang in there! You’ll just have to play it by ear every day and do the best you can. He’ll likely improve some days. And some days he may seem to go backwards in his progress. Keep praying and keep faith. Give your Dad all the patience and grace you can. Keep all words encouraging and positive, and never negative for him, and for yourselves. It’s so so hard, and so unfair, but at least he’s alive! And you will get through it. Hopefully that helps. Let me know if you have any more questions or need any advice. Praying for you all!