Our dad's recovery journey at Priory Hospital Bristol
“We don’t know how we will ever be able to thank you all enough, you’ve been so kind, considerate and lovely with Dad. He felt like he was being cared for by family with your lovely approach.”
During his time with us, Thomas attended college three days a week, and he has recently been offered at work placement at Tesco. We helped Thomas gain confidence with knowing his bus route and using public transport but he since also passed his driving test.
Patient overview
Mike* was admitted to Hillside Ward under the new rapid response model. He is a 70 year-old man with advanced Alzheimer’s disease who was being cared for at home by his wife, who was finding it increasingly difficult to manage his behaviours. This included wandering, pacing, sun downing, agitation, and being both verbally and physically aggressive.
When he was admitted to Hillside Ward, Mike was very agitated; he was fixated on trying to leave, rattling doors, and became hostile when staff approached him. After his medication was adjusted and he started to feel at home on the ward, his mood improved – he became more engaged, and his agitation lessened.
Nursing care
Mike’s advanced cognitive impairment meant the nursing team had to manage his care closely, especially with medication, nutrition, and hydration. His attention varied, he had limited insight, and he struggled to communicate, which made it hard for him to understand and co-operate with care. The nurses needed to watch him carefully to make sure he took his medication, ate and drank enough, and to spot any early signs of physical or emotional deterioration. This helped keep him medically stable and able to take part in rehabilitation.
Therapy input
Mike received regular support from both occupational therapy and physiotherapy following his admission to the general hospital. A graded rehabilitation programme was put in place. The therapy focused on helping him rebuild strength, improve posture, and gain confidence through repeated practice of daily activities.
He also had problems with balance and movement so rehabilitation included using clear single step prompts and specific exercises to help with the sensory challenges, such as supported weight-bearing activities, pro-prioceptive input being placed through the body using weighted devices and unstable surfaces, and regular movement routines to improve his body awareness and balance.
After a short while, Mike presented with excellent motivation and with regular therapy, he was able to move around the ward safely using a wheeled walker.
Outcomes
As Mike’s medication was adjusted and he became more comfortable and settled, his behaviour changed positively. He became less agitated and aggressive, and the warm, appreciative, and affectionate sides of his personality started to show. Mike is kind-hearted and gentle with others, showing how the right environment, medication, and caring relationships can improve emotional wellbeing.
As Mike got stronger physically, he became more confident and independent. With the right medication, he was calmer and more settled emotionally. He made real progress in his mobility and daily function, which resulted in him being repatriated to his local area to continue his recovery.
*Name and image has been changed to protect identity