Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
K
kgirl870 Asked August 2013

How can I head off a crisis?

Mom is resistant to help. She fell last week as she was walking to the van that takes her to dialysis. Paramedics helped her up and determined she was not injured. At dialysis and again at home she lost control over her bowels and was confused and weak. She stayed that way for a couple of days. No precursors, this happens. I want to plan for her dialysis days because we go back to work and school after summer break. I've been home because of foot surgery and I'm back at work full time. I want a nurses aid to be here when she gets home to help her up the step to get into our house, fix her lunch and whatever else needs done.

She says she's fine and doesn't need help. Falling is normal and no big deal. It is a big deal! I'm worried that she is going to have to have an injury or another type of crisis to become willing to allow outside help.

Jinx4740 Aug 2013
Describe in detail the horror she will endure if she breaks a bone. Old people sometimes think they don't care what happens to them because they will just die. They don't realize that they might NOT die for years.

Here's a short list of horrors: Bedpans, wheelchair, constant pain, never walking again, having to ask for every little thing that's out of reach, placement in a NH because with an unhealed fracture, she cannot be tended except by professionals. Try to scare the s**t out of her.

Good luck!

Perseverance Aug 2013
Quite simply, your Mom must have around the clock care. Call a place like Home Instead and hire a caregiver, unless a family member is able to do so.

ADVERTISEMENT


geewiz Aug 2013
Your profile doesn't give a lot of info. How old is she? If she is old enough to think the doctor is a deity, you might suggest that the doctor wants an aide to be there for a few weeks. She may grow to like the help!

anonymous158299 Aug 2013
falling is the biggest deal. the bones wont heal, the patient often cant endure surgery to repair it and they wont last long lying in bed with a broken bone. a high percentage of elders die in extreme pain with a broken bone. if theyre on hospice there is no attempt made to fix the break. your mom might resist admitting her compromised mobility so she will continue to do potentially risky things. you just have to keep reminding her that the last thing she needs is a broken bone.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter