Follow
Share

I could no longer care for my 97 year old mother with dementia so I was forced to put her in a facility. She was evaluated by the facility and they determined that she needed to be in their memory care unit. Since there was no bed available, they said they would put her in the assisted living area but make sure that she received the same care she would get in the memory care unit. On her second night there, mom tried to get out of bed and fell and broke her hip. She is having surgery today and then rehab. I don't want to send her back to the facility if they can't give her the care that she needs but I can't take her back home. I am overwhelmed and don't know what to do next.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
We have had the same problem. Mom will not push the button and wait for the aide to come and help. She falls because she is non-compliant, won't use a walker and trips over her cane. It's very sad and we do not want to belt her in. Surgery and painkillers will make your mom even more confused. Rehab will be several weeks, giving you time to find a skilled nursing placement. They may have to resort to restraints to prevent further injury, sorry. It's really tough when they get to that point.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

My mother, in a nursing home (Parkinsons, dementia and stroke), also at times decides she can get up by herself and doesn't ring for assistance. There's an alarm on her bed but by the time it goes off and staff come running she's on the floor. Restraints of any kind are not allowed, but that might just be here in Canada. She's not allowed to get from her bed into her wheelchair by herself but she does it every day so it's only a matter of time before she has another nasty fall.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

After the surgery and she heals. Look for another facility and I thanks restaints will make her more confuse. There is bed check on there bed in certain place.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Having hip surgery at her age is likely to slow her down some. She won't bounce all the way back after surgery and may not be able to physically get up without assistance.

You have some time while she's in the hospital and rehab to find another place for her. I have to wonder whose bright idea it was to put a 97 year old with dementia in an assisted living apartment even if it was temporary.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Agree that you can use the rehab time to find another facility with which you're comfortable and which does in fact have open beds for the most appropriate treatment rather than a substitute until something becomes available.

The problems of not calling for help are ones we've experienced, especially if new medications are involved. Sometimes there is a perception that help isn't needed, and with dementia, it's hard to convince the patient that that concept is a delusion.

It might be that your mother would eventually have to wear a monitoring bracelet, but I'm not sure if that's merely to prevent patients from wandering outside a building or if it alerts staff to attempted movements to get out of bed.

Someone needs to invent safe motion sensors for hospital beds!
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

My mom was hospitalized while in an AL. We worked with the hospital discharge planner and her physician to facilitate moving her directly to rehab in a skilled nursing facility. Going directly from the hospital helped tremendously regarding Medicare, finding her a bed etc. downside was we had to scramble to check out facilities in just a couple days. She still tries to stand and has fallen but in skilled, there's someone always there checking on her.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Thanks to all of you for your heartfelt advice. Just want to let you know that Mom passed away this evening. In the midst of all the confusion of her mind when asked how she was doing she said 'I'm waiting on my Lord to take me home.' Though she will be dearly missed by those she left behind, there is a peace in knowing she is no longer suffering. God bless.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I'm so sorry for your loss but appreciate your taking the time to update us. I think your mother knew that it was her time and was at peace in her heart. I hope that helps to comfort you and your family at this sad time.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter