My Mom has been having pain in her lower back and buttocks so on the advice of her general md, she has an app't in the middle of July with an orthopedic doctor. She is having problems walking so I bought her a walker with wheels to help her.
She was using the walker to get to the bathroom but I had found out she was peeing in plastic cups in her room and last Friday night she was carrying her cup of pee and using the walker where she spilled the cup and she had a bad fall where she dislocated her hip. I called an ambulance and it took 4 tries in the ER to get her leg popped back into her hip again.
Doctors in the ER put a brace on her from her knee to ankle which makes it almost impossible for her to walk now. I am able to get her to wear diapers.
We don't have the money for a nursing home as my Mom bought a house (the advice of 2 different elder care attorneys) and I need help. I can't live my Mom and there is no one else to help me. I'm 60 and not as strong as I used to be.
My Mom has medicare but not Medicaid and I don't think she would qualify for that. I could get someone in about twice a week for 2 hours to help (we can afford that).
Mom is very depressed and I am really nervous about taking her to any future doctor app'ts because it's too hard to get her in and out of my car.
I'm facing so many obstacles now...
Thanks for any advice,
Jenna
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Her discharge papers were signed late last night and I didn't want to bring her home in the dark plus it was raining hard along with thunderstorms. I also found out that I needed to learn how to empty my Mom's catheter bag. I didn't know the doctor wanted her to have that attached. Nurse showed me what I needed to learn.
When she was in the rehab they transported her to the orthopedic doctor who x-rayed her again and found 2 fractures in her hips which he said would take about 6 weeks to heal.
So all is good! Doctor ordered a transfer bath chair and some other things I will need. I already bought a transfer wheel chair because I don't want to leave her alone when I need to go food shopping and other things. I have to find out if I can get reimbursed for that from Medicare.
Just glad to have my Mom home again!
I am going to push hard to get an orthopedic to come to the rehab! I am worried that my Mom's prosthetic hips which were replaced back in the 1990's may have worn out and that is what is causing her pain and problems walking (read that they last at most 20 years). I know she's too old (91) to have hip replacement surgery but I read that it's possible that either cortisone shots may help or a gel shot would help... But I'm not a specialist.
Shane and Countrymouse, thanks for your kind words! I'm happy that Mom is in rehab! I feel good today after so much has happened not to mention I have been cleaning up a flood in the basement after very heavy rains using a wet/vac (which I never used before).
I think I forgot to mention that Mom bought a home and we moved in about 6 weeks ago (lots of work for me with all the packing, etc.). I'm still unpacking and this gives me time now to work in the house. I do get moments to enjoy life as I have friends over and a boyfriend (yeah!).. Been barbequing and enjoying nature that surrounds the home which faces a large lake. Very tranquil here..
I just pray that my Mom won't end up in a wheelchair but if she does then I'll take it from there. I try to live in the moment when it comes to situations like that.
Best to all! Jenna
It also gives you a breathing space; and it's a fair hope that once her pain is under control and she begins to make progress she'll regain some of her confidence and you'll get her back safe and sound. How are you doing? - hope you're looking after yourself, too. Hugs x
A raised toilet seat can be helpful but I personally find them unstable. I take the bucket out of my commode and slip the frame one the toilet. If Mom can't safely walk to the toilet let her use the commode where ever she spends most time. The Dr can order any equipment you need and medicare will pay although there will be a small co-pay. This can include a bed, wheelchair and any other equipment the PT may feel helpful. I have everything I need including all tube feeding supplies, oxygen equipment and six weeks of IV antibiotics.
It will probably take several weeks for Mom's hips to become stable again so you both need to be patient and celebrate every small improvement.
Why didn't they call in orthopedics when Mom first went to the ER. Waiting till the middle of July for an appointment for an acute condition is ridiculous. next day would be more appropriate. Everyone needs to be more assertive when it comes to healthcare. You don't need to accept what the gatekeepers say try banging on a few desks. Hubby and I have got ourselves white a reputation for that and we feared getting blackballed but in fact the opposite has happened. So don't give up either of you.
The next day the nurse called me and told me that my Mom needed to go back to the ER because she didn't have a bowel movement for 10 days that I knew of. I think the nurse's goal was to get my Mom in rehab. So I followed her instructions and my Mom did go back to the ER and was admitted to the hospital. She spent almost 4 days there and was transferred to the rehab today.
Tomorrow she starts PT twice daily and occ. therapy. Of course I go and visit her and she seemed confused to where she was and I just kept telling her that she will learn to walk better so she can be more independent again.
My Mom is tough even with all her complaining. I am praying that the PT helps her.
Thanks for reading!
She is not feeling better but is very depressed that she has lost more of her independence. First her keys to her car were taken away, then she realized she couldn't cook anymore because of her dementia, now she can't hardly walk. My Mom talks about dying all the time. I'm so busy cleaning up her wet clothes and diapers, laundry, cooking for her (she is eating less), and the list goes on. I have very little time to entertain her as well but I try my best....
You can still ask her doctor to order it. The first few weeks & the treatment you receive are so important to help assure mobility and safety at home weeks down the road. Supervised rehab would be hugely beneficial for her. Home care will work on her independence using whatever assist devices she has to prevent a fall and she will have to work to do the exercises.
Home Health will come in. If no out patient rehab then home PT is better than nothing.
Good luck, hope she feels better daily!
I'm waiting for a call back. So the lesson learned is that I should not believe the first person I talk to. Thanks everyone!
Again, she is not covered for any PT, I wish she was.