Case 3: 49-year-old female

General view four months after onset of right capsular hemorrhage.

Problems and responses in the first 16 weeks after admission to a convalescent rehabilitation ward.

① Clinical features

Hypertension noted 1 year ago but no medication, sudden left hemiplegia 4 months ago, right capsular hemorrhage (18 ml), preserved, entered ileal rehabilitation ward 16 weeks ago, neurologically mainly left hemiplegia/sensory palsy, mild higher functional impairment, balloon removal 2 months after onset.

② Psychological aspects

Medical clerk at a clinic until 2 months before onset, hobbies include travelling and eating (162 cm/127kg), 3 weeks after onset, wanted to go to her child’s sports day in a wheelchair, wanted to return home early and drive a car, easily fatigued due to back pain, no independent training.

③ Environmental aspects

Lives with husband and two children in 5th and 3rd grade; husband works at shipbuilding, 1.5 hours away every day; he is a bystander and hopes that she can move around by herself and take care of the house; home is one-storey and barrier-free; she required long-term care 4 a month ago; considering disability certificate and disability pension when the time comes; home visit 2 weeks ago, discharge scheduled 2 weeks later; contacted care manager; scheduled 3 visits a week for rehabilitation; 4-position cane purchased at her own expense; care rental includes ultra-low bed, wheelchair, touch-up, bath board, etc. Four-position cane purchased at own expense; nursing care rental includes ultra-low bed, wheelchair, touch-up bath board, etc.

④ Functional impairment issues

BRS upper limb III - fingers I-II, lower limb III, grip strength right 32/0Kg, HDS-R 26/30, at risk of falling due to attention disorder and low awareness of illness, looked after for 30 m with a four-position cane,

“I get tired and my legs get heavy at once”

⑤ Issue identification

Awareness of the issues

Opinion on pre-discharge coordination and future rehabilitation Reconsider?

Response on the day

Intervention points

Shared goal setting using the ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) in day-care rehabilitation, linking pre-discharge and post-discharge. To link, the principle of self-determination and visualization of step-by-step procedures are necessary.

Ÿ Functions: the focus is on upper limb hand function and care is shifted from a disused hand to an assisted hand.

Ÿ Activity: from watching over the four-position cane to independent walking with a walker and out of a wheelchair.

Ÿ Participation: role activities as a wife to her husband and mother to her children.

Three-day reflection Best practice

Rehab professionals make appropriate adjustments to the person’s involvement on admission and before discharge.

Ÿ Physical fitness problems with a limit of 10 minutes of standing retention are increased to 20 minutes or more before housework activities.

Ÿ To walk safely without supervision, try a forearm-supported walker (for taller people).

Ÿ Self-stretching of the paralyzed upper limb with the wrist and elbow in extension and the shoulder in external rotation for load bearing.

Ÿ To lose weight, repeat the habit of grasping the handrail with both hands, standing up and sitting down, and sweating a little.

⑥ Goal setting

Ÿ Distal monitoring of walker walking after 1 week, wheelchair withdrawal and independent in-hospital walker walking after 2 weeks, semi-daily activities in day rehabilitation after 3 weeks, self-care of paralyzed upper limb and 100 standing and sitting exercises after 4 weeks.

⑦ Communication

Rehab professionals adjust how and when to proceed with rehabilitation at the appropriate time (Lessons learned).