HOW OUR HOME CARE NURSE TRANSFORMED LIFE OF A 90 YR OLD STROKE PATIENT

The stroke struck without warning. One bright morning, as Joseph watered his hibiscus plants, he collapsed, his right side immobilized. Though he could still speak, his words were slow and strained, expressing panic as he called for help. A neighbor rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors diagnosed an ischemic stroke affecting his right-side motor functions. For three weeks, Joseph endured a crowded ward, his children—Peter, a teacher, and Grace, a government clerk in the city, and Michael and Esther, a nurse and accountant in London—coordinating visits despite their busy lives. The hospital’s overworked staff provided critical care, but Joseph’s recovery demanded ongoing support—physical therapy, medication management, and emotional care—beyond the family’s capacity. 

Discharged with a wheelchair, a feeding tube, and a regimen of medications, Joseph returned home frail and disheartened, his vibrant spirit dimmed despite his ability to voice his frustrations.

The family grappled with how to care for him. Peter and Grace, tied to long work hours, couldn’t provide constant support. Michael and Esther, financially supportive but distant, felt powerless across the ocean. A nursing home was considered, but moving Joseph from his memory-filled home, where their late mother’s presence lingered, felt wrong. During a family Zoom call, Esther, drawing on her nursing expertise, proposed a home care nurse. “Dad needs to stay where he’s happiest,” she urged. They contacted us, we introduced our nurse to them Joel, a 38-year-old registered nurse post-stroke care.

From his first visit, Joel brought expertise and empathy, engaging Joseph as a person with a rich history. Joseph could speak, though slowly, and Joel listened attentively as he shared his fears and hopes. Assessing Joseph’s condition—right-side paralysis, mobility dependence, feeding challenges, and risk of pressure sores—Joel crafted a personalized nursing care plan. He began by administering medications, including antihypertensives and anticoagulants that the doctors had prescribed on day of discharge to prevent further strokes, using portable tools to monitor blood pressure and oxygen levels. His vigilance caught early signs of complications, like an irregular heartbeat, which he reported to Joseph’s neurologist via teleconsultation, minimizing hospital visits and easing the strain on the hospital

Joel’s physical therapy sessions were pivotal. Joseph’s paralysis made him reliant on others for movement, but Joel was determined to restore function. He guided Joseph through range-of-motion exercises, using resistance bands to strengthen his left side and prevent muscle atrophy on his right. With encouragement, Joel helped Joseph progress from sitting upright to taking shaky steps with a walker. “Mzee, your strength inspires me,” Joel would say, his warmth coaxing effort from Joseph, who responded with determined words like, “I’ll try again.” Joel trained Peter and Grace in simple exercises, enabling them to support their father without disrupting their work, empowering the family to share in his recovery.

Joel also addressed Joseph’s emotional needs. Though able to speak, Joseph was frustrated, voicing sadness over losing his garden and independence. Joel, aware that 61% of stroke patients face emotional distress, made it his mission to lift Joseph’s spirits. He encouraged Joseph to recount stories of fishing on his fish pond, responding with enthusiasm that boosted Joseph’s confidence. Joel brought a portable speaker for Joseph’s favorite Luganda songs, sparking joy. On brighter days, he wheeled Joseph to the veranda to enjoy the sun and his hibiscus, rekindling his connection to home. “Joel, you make me feel alive,” Joseph said, his slow but clear words reflecting newfound hope. Esther, watching via video call, tearfully noted, “Joel’s bringing Dad’s heart back.”

Joel’s presence transformed the family’s dynamics. 

Peter and Grace, previously stretched thin, found relief as Joel managed tasks like feeding tube care and hygiene, preventing sores that could lead to infections. His training—teaching them to reposition Joseph or monitor his diet—eased their fears of caregiving errors. Michael and Esther stayed connected through Joel’s WhatsApp updates, including photos of Joseph’s progress. “Joel makes the distance feel smaller,” Michael said, grateful for the reassurance that supported their UK careers.

Financially, Joel’s care was a game-changer. Stroke complications often lead to costly readmissions, Joel’s monitoring—catching a urinary infection early and coordinating with a local clinic—averted hospital stays, saving thousands of shillings. Though hiring Joel required investment, the family, with Michael and Esther covering most costs, found it more affordable than institutional care or repeated Hospital visits. 

The home environment, paired with Joel’s expertise, enhanced Joseph’s healing. The familiarity of his wooden chair, family photos, and neighborhood sounds reduced stress, a key factor in stroke recovery

Studies show home-based care improves adherence and emotional well-being, and Joseph’s progress reflected this. His blood pressure stabilized, he regained enough mobility to shuffle short distances, and his speech, already intact, grew stronger, allowing him to share longer stories. “Joel, you’re family now,” he said one day, his clear voice brimming with gratitude. The comfort of home, unlike crowded hospitals (one nurse per 18,000 people), fostered recovery and adherence.

Ten months post-stroke, Joseph’s transformation was remarkable. He could sit unaided, eat with his left hand, and walk short distances with a walker. His veranda visits were daily joys, where he’d speak fondly of his garden, his voice steady. Joel not only restored Joseph’s health but also united the family. Peter and Grace felt capable, Michael and Esther felt involved, and all cherished their father’s renewed spirit. “Joel’s our miracle,” Grace said, reflecting on how he turned despair into hope.

Mzee Joseph’s story highlights the power of home care nursing. For the Okello family, Joel was a game-changer, delivering healing, dignity, and unity. As NCDs like stroke rise in Uganda, projected to cause 46% of deaths in Africa by 2030, their experience shows the path forward: embracing home care nursing to face life’s challenges with strength and love. END OF THE STORY.

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