Spent the day at the hospital with my mother due to injury from yet another fall due to low blood sugar.

97yearoldmom, research shows that Lantus is FDA approved for taking at bedtime. But there is evidence to support that it should be taken in the AM. Seeing endocrinologist in the AM. Thanks.

I was told that Lantus should be given in the morning so it is working when food is being eaten. Taking it at night has her sugar drop when no food is coming in. It is a long acting drug but not a 24 hr drug. But everyone’s system is not the same. Let us know what the endocrinologist says.

I’m doing a lot of research. What is happening to my mom is she is on Lantus long acting insulin injected at bedtime. If she has not eaten properly she is hypoglycemic during the night. Sugar is spiking after meals during the day to 340-400 range. She is small 124 lbs. GP is the prescriber and only prescribes 1 test strip per day. That is not enough. She’s using an old Accucheck monitor. Yeah I know she’s gone hypoglycemic on me many times and I have to call EMT’s. And yes I know she needs round the clock care. That’s why I fight with my brother because he’s been letting her live alone under the guise that he’s taking care of her when he’s actually delegating it to his wife and while she might be a decent person she’s not taking care of my mother like I do.

You post says she has sudden drop in blood pressure. Some people get that on a regular basis. I have had it a few times, as has my brother. I'd explore Postprandial hypotension. Some people get these drops in blood pressure after a meal. Other times, it just happens. It's hard to predict. I'd have her doctor discuss things to do to stop the fainting. Like, if you start to feel faint, you immediately lay down, head level with body and wait for it to pass. If you try to keep standing, it will force a fainting. If you mother isn't able to manage, she may need around the clock supervision, but, still, even someone else being in the house, she could still faint.

Is your mother insulin dependent? Who administers her medications? Does someone check her blood sugar regularly?
An elderly person with questionable judgement on insulin should be in a supervised setting. I think to pursue AL or some type of supervision is appropriate at this time.
When you take her to her endocrinologist bring her glucometer with you so he/she can check blood sugar history. Every meter has that capability these days.
Someone should be checking your mother’s blood sugar 3-4 x per day, and certainly before giving her an injectible insulin. Her aide should be able to do this if she’s a CNA.
As for the wound, those take so long to heal. Try a vaseline type dressing in the beginning so when changed it doesn’t slough off new skin.
Good luck to you!

Barb, I talked to my brother and sent him the photo of mom’s injuries. He told me that his wife told him she looked mom over good and didn’t see an injury. I’m not judging.

Did not get to talk to a social worker- stayed by her side in the ER while she was being treated.

Taking her to endocrinologist ASAP.

Twillie, is Mom taking blood pressure pills?

My sig other had fallen because when he stood up from a sitting position he passed out for a couple of seconds. Turned out that the doses for his blood pressure pills were too high. Once lowered, he no longer had that dizzying feeling standing up.

Just food for thought.

TWillie, were you able to speak to a social worker while at the hospital?

You and your brother need an Independent, professional assessment of your mom's needs. Call her local Area Agency on Aging and ask for an appointment for a needs assessment. You and either SIL la brother should be there so that there is no question about what is recommended and why.

As an aside, just because your mom says that SIL didn't check her out thoroughly is no proof that she didn't. Your mom is no longer a reliable reporter. Keep that in mind before passing judgement on others.

Glad brother is thinking about AL for mom. I think that's a big step forward!

Barb, p.s. Mom went willingly with me to urgent care and hospital.

Barb, you are so intuitive. Been getting the truth out of mom in bits and pieces. Said the caregiver offered to take her to doctor and she said no. SIL says she looked her over good before leaving. That would have involved taking off her robe and examining her body which she did not do. At the very least both of them should have called me even if they didn’t now claim to know how serious it was ... and let me make that determination. Barb, mom called me later that evening and after caregiver left for the day. ER doc did not admit her but strongly talked to her about seeing endocrinologist. Brother is away training for pilot position flying international. I did speak to him tonight and he talks about assisted living for her. I just don’t know if he can realistically make it happen while trying to further his career. He is in a state of denial if he thinks an endocrinologist alone can turn this around. Food has to be cooked for her and regular meals and snacks provided 6 x day. It is a full time job.

Thanks ladies, and more updates to come as I also have to do wound care to keep her arm from becoming infected.

T.

Joanne29, yes malox is on her chart to be given as needed. Her normal aides employed by the NH know to tell the LPN that she has a tummy ache and the Lpn would administer it. But my private pay aide I hire occasionally to be with mom at the NH didn’t know to tell anybody. I found out later that she hadn’t eaten and figured out why not. Got that corrected.

Rocketjet, tried to respond to ur post but can't.

Just curious. Is Malox on Moms chart to be given when needed? I am assuming it is because that is the only way the aide could have requested it.

Sounds like some changes are needed in lines of communication, at least, Do you know why her blood sugar doesn't stay stable? Does mum take her meds and eat properly? Is it still safe for her to be alone at night? Has the point come where she need an overnight caregiver? Does she need to be in a facility so she can be better monitored? It looks like an evaluation of her situation should take place in consultation with her doctor.

I have a different take on this.

Is it possible SIL said " I need to call 911" and mom said, " oh, no, don't do that, I'm fine".

Caregiver cones and says " Mrs. B, we need to get you to the doctor" and mom say, " no, I don't want that".

TWillie shows up ( did she call you, or was it your day to come by?) . Did mom ask to be taken to Urgent Care, or did you insist?

Is mom playing a game here to foment discord?

TWillie, if mom wants your attention and is going to be the cause of your not getting back to work, she needs to change POA and set up a caregiver agreement with you. And go to an endocrinologist. Hopefully, she gets seen by one at the hospital.

Maybe SIL didn’t do anything because she knew the “caregiver” was coming? Don’t know. But the paid professional “caregiver” really has to be taken to task on this. She should have called someone...911, you, brother, SIL, somebody when this occurred. I had to reprimand Moms privately paid aide at the NH when she didn’t ask for malox when Mom had a tummy ache! There’s absolutely no excuse for a caregiver not to follow up on a fall.

While you are at the hospital, ask to speak with a social worker about your mom's living situation. If no one is available, ask for the number of the SW department so that you can call to discuss next business day. Hopefully, she gets admitted!