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JennaRose Asked June 2017

What can I do for my 91-year-old mom who has fallen down?

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

Countrymouse Jul 2017
That's lovely to hear, Jenna. Hope she settles in and keeps making good progress. Hugs.

freqflyer Jul 2017
Jenna, it is so great whenever a writet gives us an update. Glad your Mom is home again :)

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jeannegibbs Jul 2017
Thanks so much for the update, Jenna!

JennaRose Jul 2017
Update: Brought Mom home today from rehab and I'm so happy she is home! She worked really hard and is so much stronger now. The PT worked with me and taught me how to get her up and down the 3 stairs that are the entrance to our ranch house. He also taught me how to use the gait belt and how to get my Mom in and out of my car.

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!

JennaRose Jul 2017
Veronica, yes my Mom knows the harder she works at PT the sooner she can come home. Thanks for the information about the equipment!

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

Countrymouse Jul 2017
Jenna this should be a very positive step. My first guess about the bowel problem would be pain relief side-effects, very easily sorted out; and the key thing is that it's got her the attention she should ideally have been prescribed in the first place! - but who cares as long as she's getting it now :)

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

Shane1124 Jul 2017
I am so happy that your mom is in rehab. It's a break for you to digest all that has happened the past few weeks and will help her learn how to help get herself around.

Veronica91 Jul 2017
Jenna PT will help Mom as long as she puts the effort in herself.
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.

JennaRose Jul 2017
Update: It's been a long 6 days. A nurse came to our home and evaluated my Mom. She showed me how to do certain things and recommended items that I should buy such as an elevated toilet seat.

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!

JennaRose Jun 2017
My Mom didn't go to outpatient rehab because the doctor in the ER didn't order it. I called my Mom's doctor yesterday and this morning and in-home PT is going to be ordered. I can't transport my Mom all by myself, it's only myself and my Mom living together. I don't know if Home Health will come in, I'm finding all this out.

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....

Shane1124 Jun 2017
Why didn't she go directly to out patient rehab after this last episode?
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!

JennaRose Jun 2017
Update: I did call Medicare and they told me that my Mom is covered for in-home PT. Then I called her doctor and told the receptionist this. Medicare told me that the doctor should have a list of agencies who sent PT's to the house and they have 2 agencies.

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!

Sandra2424 Jun 2017
If the doctor is willing to order it, I wouldn't bother calling medicare.

Sandra2424 Jun 2017
You said you called Rehab. You need to contact her primary doctor. I would think that a 91 yo who had a fall would be a good candidate for at least Home PT. She has definately had a change in medical (hip dislocation) and functional (had a fall, can't get around well) status. They can also instruct you in how to assist her. I think Medicare would pay for it. The usual amt is about 2-3 times /week for 2-3 weeks. OT and Nursing is also helpful. Please call the doctor and explain the situation.

JennaRose Jun 2017
I called the Rehab which is part of the hospital where the ER is (who told me what I posted here) but not Medicare. I will call them now, thanks.

Sandra2424 Jun 2017
I don't understand why the dr won't at least order a home PT evaluation. She has definately undergone a change, both medically and functionally. I would think that even having a fall would qualify for some intervention.

Hugemom Jun 2017
I'm really shocked that rehab wasn't ordered for your mom after her fall, unless you or she declined it. My husband was in rehab for 4 months after being 911-ed to the hospital for mobility issues. He's been home for about a month now and we are getting occupational and physical therapy 3 times a week, a visiting RN once a week and a bath aide who even changes his bed once a week, which the nurse said was to give me a break. This was all orchestrated by the social worker st the rehab facility, but hospitals have social workers also who can help. I'm also surprised no one contacted you about that. You shouldn't have to self-pay for any of this. Medicare even covers the creams and lotions I use to keep my husband's skin in good shape. Have you contacted anyone about this--your doctor's staff, the ER where she was or Medicare itself? There is help out there if you become proactive and search for it. Good luck!

JennaRose Jun 2017
I called rehab and my Mom is not covered because the ER didn't keep her overnight in the hospital. The dislocation happened this past Friday night. Also my Mom had both her hips replaced over 30 years ago so I am wondering if both replacements have worn out which may be causing her the pain to begin with.

Again, she is not covered for any PT, I wish she was.

Sandra2424 Jun 2017
Mom should have gone to rehab. Try contacting her dr to see if this can be done. She probably is on hip precautions, so she doesn't dislocate. If not, she should at least have home PT for an evaluation and to instruct you on how to help her. I'm a PT, but I don't know how long it has been since this happened and am not sure about rehab coverage after she has been sent home.

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