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My 95 year old mom lives with us and just came back from acute rehab after a small stroke. Although she was cooperative and made a lot of progress there, since coming home she is doing worse every day, claiming she ‘just can’t”. We are starting in home therapy so hopefully she’ll improve again. My brother thinks she worked hard in rehab to be able to come home and now that she’s has no incentive to push herself. Is this normal?

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Very common . Your brother is spot on as well. They often push themselves to get out of rehab . Your mother is 95 , she’s tired . The very elderly often backslide after each rehab .

May be time to think about assisted living if Mom has the funds and you are not going to be a hands on caregiver . She can continue therapy there to attempt to maintain mobility and strength . On the whole though it is likely she will be needing more help from here on out than before the stroke .
The other option is Mom hires help to come to the home , however , often the elder won’t do that when they are living with their adult child . They think the adult child should be providing the hands on care .

Even a small stroke at 95 is life changing . Depression after a stroke is almost always a given . Is Mom on an antidepressant ? Perhaps activities etc and friends at assisted living would help as well .
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My father told me in his early 90s that he was, despite having had a wonderful, wonderful life, simply exhausted and wished for the last long nap. It was difficult to force himself up every single day, and he continued to attempt it so as not to worry my mom.
Yes, they get exhausted. Allow her to express it. Honor it. Cut her lots of slack and let how hard she works be her own thing.
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Are you expecting her to go back to where she was before the stroke? Sorry, at 95 it may not happen. They are good until they aren't. PT may keep her where she is but be aware, it will only last so long especially if there is no progress. She is 95, let her have peace. They get tired of people telling them what to do and being poked and prodded.
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