Hello all. My 93 year old mother's hip replacement recently failed due to her worsening osteoarthritis, Dr. said her bone mass is so weak another surgery is out of the question. So she is now wheelchair bound due to extreme pain in her hip when she puts any weight on it. She lives with me and I am lucky that I work out of my house and am able to care for her. My fear is that this may be the beginning of a downhill slide in her overall health. She still has a sharp mind and other than extreme arthritis is in generally good health for someone her age. I know I have been lucky thus far, but I am afraid that this might be "the beginning of the end" as the doctor told me.
Thanks for letting me vent, :)
And ask if an antidepressant may be helpful to get her over the hump.
I'm pretty sure I'd be in the minus sevens somewhere if I were in her shoes, so I'm incredibly impressed.
Seize the moment, and get hold of a physical therapist and/or occupational therapist to help her adapt to life in the wheelchair. There are seated exercises, there are techniques for continuing all KINDS of activities from a wheelchair, and there will also be daily care routines that will help maintain her muscle tone and skin integrity. If your mother is even at five, then don't give up on her!
Well, it might be; but not for that reason alone. People live long lives in wheelchairs. I'm very sorry that her hip replacement failed; that must have been a blow to her; but that doesn't mean that *nothing* can be done to maintain her quality of life if her overall health is fair.
How would you describe your mother's level of motivation, say on a scale of 1- 10 where 1 is "just leave me alone" and 10 is "nothing will ever defeat me"?
Has anyone recommended some gentle physical therapy for her? Even water therapy for her pain might help. I would speak with her doctor and ask if there’s anything that can be done to improve her quality of life.
How are you going to be able to care for her in your home, with her in a wheelchair? I'm imagining she can do very little for herself? Are you getting home health services for her? Take every minute of assistance you can get, to try to hold on to your sanity.
Good luck.