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My mom (92) fell with no broken bones, but bruised and can't stand up to use her walker. She lost a lot of muscle strength. Three days hospital stay, now transferring to rehab and PT. She wasn't physically very strong before the fall, but now, is it realistic to think she'll be able to walk independently again? She was in an Independent Living apt, and can't go back there after rehab anyway, not enough care and monitoring. She's a trouper- never been in a hospital before, hardly ever sick. Mild cognitive impairment, more severe when tired. DNR in place, but much to her dismay, she'll probably keep on trucking. What is she doesn't get strong enough to walk? Where would she go after rehab ends? Is it possible she might walk with a walker again?

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If she cannot walk, a nursing home or home with 24/7 care.
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Well, maybe we can think positively and think how she can rehab to be stronger. At least there were no fractures. Is there a reason she can't stand up? Is it the muscle weakness of which you write?

I think the cognitive impairment might be more of a hindrance if she has any difficulty following instructions for rehab.

But she can recover, she can develop strength, unless there are physical limitations that would interfere. The therapists will assess her strengths and weaknesses and choose appropriate exercises, most of which she can do sitting down. That'll help her build up her leg strength.

I never fail to be amazed at the power of exercise. My father recovered from two leg fractures and at other times from various other weaknesses. He continued his recovery at home. He also has a strong mindset and determination.

I don't think anyone except a therapist or ortho doctor could determine if she'll ever walk again, with or without a walker. We just don't have enough information to make that determination.

She seems to have a strong mental attitude, and that's very important.

If she doesn't progress, Medicare won't continue to pay for her rehab, so I would have a discussion with the therapists after their first evaluation to find out what their assessment and goals are. If she doesn't progress, she will be discharged, and someone will have to find a place for her to live. I guess that would be you?

Give her as much support as you can while she goes through rehab; that could make a difference in how she progresses.
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Rehab should help your Mom gain some level of mobility. I guess it depends upon how good the rehab place is and how cooperative your Mom is. The PT should be made aware of the degree of her cognitive impairment. If you can be there for some of the sessions, you will learn a great deal so you can encourage safe activity when she leaves rehab.
You might talk to the independent living place where she lives to see what services may be available. You may be surprised at how well your Mom does in rehab. If a return to her current living place isn't realistic, you may search out assisted living facilities in the area.
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I would also be very encouraginf about Mom's ability to recover. It takes a very long time when elderly to recover from the bruising and trauma of a fall but it can be done if she has the will.
Talk to the social worker at rehab and see what options she can suggest for Mom. Is it possible for a caregiver to be hired to stay overnight with Mom after the AL staff leaves. When I fell in the summer I could not weight bear on one leg but managed with a walker till the strength came back. A fall certainly takes the stuffing out of anyone. I see no reason why ahe shouldn't do very well with rehab.
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Sounds like your mom has a strong mind and I've been surprised at my mom's ability to bounce back at least part-way following these serious falls and fractures - at 92 mom spent 6 weeks in rehab crying to die she was in so much pain from compressed vertebrae in her back but she was motivated as h*ll to get out of rehab

Don't be too quick to push mom into a nursing home as long as she has the will to try and get better - it is when they give up hope that things change drastically

Not knowing her financial situation maybe assisted living with a personal caregiver a few hours a day, or a residential board and care where 6 or so folks live in a home with round the clock staff ?
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I think rehab in a facility is going to do wonders for her! She's only got mci, not dementia and has a good "can do" attitude. Give it a week or two and see what the PTs say.
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Yes, she can't be mobile due to muscle weakness. She can and does follow directions. The Independent where she lived is out- all managers and help leave at 9 pm- there's already been an incident with the fire alarm going off with no one in the building to assist residents. I'll be at the rehab and at therapy with her. She can't live with me-she doesn't want to, there's no access and she wants to at least have her 'own' place. Assisted living places are hard to find here, i've already looked into some-they were either full or pretty bad. I'll check with the therapists about her prognosis, great idea, and continue to look for assisted living. Maybe i can get help from the rehab in getting her a place to live.
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