97 yo grandma now has a hip fracture complicated with CHF, afib, severe aortic stenosis on HOSPICE -- what to expect??
I just heard my grandmother broke her hip today. She's on hospice using morphine for chest pain and palpitations from time to time. She lives independently. Her hospice nurse says she doesn't think a surgeon will offer her a surgery since she's too old given her health.
What info can you share here and what can I expect? My grandmother doesn't want to be bedbound and wants to remain in her home. She's a very stubborn woman and I am her primary caregiver at a distance. I'd like to know pros and cons of outcomes if surgery is even offered. She will not enjoy rehab, not a good patient if things are not well.
Many thanks.
My grandmother makes her own decisions and doesnt ask too many questions. Im concerned this is going to be a very difficult road for her. Im not certain she has the strength, the overall health to endure a surgery, recovery, 30+ day rehab, and deal with her heart problems despite her massive will power and internal strength, stubbornness. Ive seen her breakdown, crash mentally, and become depressed, then rally back with CHF.
I'm usually very optimistic, but this is going to be tough.
Now, that was a simple hip break. How bad is your grandma's break? If the ball of the femur broke off, that's harder surgery. They have to make a big cut and replace the ball. Also, you'd have to find a surgeon who's a real cowboy, and an anesthesiologist who's the same. My mother's surgeon told me that he once fixed a hip on an old lady when the cardiologist gave her a 90% chance of dying (severe aortic stenosis). Cowboy.
So ... there may be no choice in the matter, in which case grandma will be bedbound and need 24/7 care, likely in a nursing home. If they give her a choice, it's a hard one, trying for quality of life but taking a big chance of dying in the OR, or surviving and having her brain messed up, or a stroke ... or opting for possibly longer life, but bedbound.
Blessings on both of you, if you have to make the choice.
24/7 is going to be hard on her. She doesn’t want anyone living with her, but wants to stay in her home.
I’m afraid a surgery would be just too much on her. She’s on Coumadin too. Sh’s reluctant to take pain meds believing she’ll become addicted, so old school thinking. But takes morphine when her palpitations start up. She won’t listen to my suggestions but I can try to gently nudge her. She’s a tough old broad. I’m expected to help, yet it’s like trying to help her with one arm tied behind my back and a gag in my mouth. It’s a frustrating situation and I imagine things are going to become worse. She’s not a good patient. She will not be pleased bedridden. The pain meds will affect her moods, not sure how she will tolerate this along with the CHF.
She is 110# 5,2”. All bones and wrinkles. She gets winded easily.
She now needs 24/7 care after the hip fracture. Whether it is caregivers at home or in assisted living.