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Mom. 89-year-old showing rapid signs of vascular dementia. She fell during the night and broke a hip. Surgery, ball joint. Rehab stint at the hospital's rehab unit.
Our family found a good memory care facility and plans were made to admit Mom. We then received word Mom would need to be able to put some weight on that leg before release to the memory care place (state regulation). That would entail moving Mom to a skilled nursing facility to rehab the leg, then move to the memory care facility. One person (gatekeeper) at the current hospital rehab place seems to be killing the move directly to the memory care facility. The family is willing to pay for rehab at the nice Memory Care place if possible.
Memory care facility will do their own evaluation this week of Mom's progress. The rehab place would then meet to discuss Mom's status (absent family members).
The fascinating thing s my Mom's dementia has completely "calmed down". It's as if she has no dementia at all. No UTI as that was checked. It has been amazing. Talking clearly, feeding herself, recalling memories, etc.
Still with me? My big question is can we expect my Mom to be rehabbed in a skilled nursing faculty enough to put some weight on that leg/hip to pass muster? We still want to move Mom to the nice Memory Care place. Does anyone have experience with rehabbing this injury at that age? The Hospital rehab place is doing rehab but taking it slow. Btw, my Mom only requires one person to help her to the wheelchair and to the bathroom.
Unfortunately it's not possible to predict how well any given patient will do in rehab. Fingers crossed she'll do well enough to be admitted to the nice Memory Care until eventually!
If she doesn't get her hip injury rehabilitated pretty soon, she may become bed-bound and a lot more problems will develop over time. They're obviously doing the right thing. It may be that she has to have a walking aid after the rehab. Do as much you can in the hospital and the skilled nursing facility so she has a better quality of life.
I have a 92 year old neighbor who had a hip replacement 2 years ago and he was walking with a cane in a couple months. The main thing it depends on is how bad your mother wants to get up and walk.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Yes, many can have successful hip replacement post age 90. We just lost a friend at age 99 who had 2 hips done after age 93.
Quite dependant on person / health / activity level / weight...an most of all, drive and desire and attitude.
As mentioned... The alternative (remain broken) is not pleasing and could be dangerous and painful. And may not be a humane option. We all can pass-on tomorrow... Or in a week, or hopefully.. many years.
We just lost a friend at age 99 who had 2 hips done after age 93.
This is astonishing and very encouraging to know. I'm sorry you lost your friend but it sounds like they were made of strong stock. Assuming otherwise good health, age alone is no reason to fold up the tent.
The fascinating thing s my Mom's dementia has completely "calmed down". It's as if she has no dementia at all. No UTI as that was checked. It has been amazing. Talking clearly, feeding herself, recalling memories, etc.
This is most interesting. Maybe the jolt of novelty (dopamine inducing) from the new surroundings sort of did a reset in her brain? Maybe it wasn't dementia but rather just lethargy/dullness from the sameness of life (assuming no medication changes recently, and that she wasn't dehydrated before). Just thinking aloud. The changes you describe are profound and I hope they continue. Good thoughts for her and your family.
This is most interesting. Maybe the jolt of novelty (dopamine inducing) from the new surroundings sort of did a reset in her brain? Maybe it wasn't dementia but rather just lethargy/dullness from the sameness of life (assuming no medication changes recently, and that she wasn't dehydrated before). Just thinking aloud. The changes you describe are profound and I hope they continue. Good thoughts for her and your family.
Thanks for your thoughts. We need them. It has been one of the most amazing things I have seen in 60 years of life. Mom went from "sundowning", talking to invisible people, seeing things not there, assisted feeding, to the current state of awareness.
There will be a meeting with rehab executives including the doctor today to discuss either skilled nursing for additional rehab or to the memory care facility where some degree of rehab will take place. In a change of policy, my brother and his wife will be in attendance at the meeting.
Thanks for all feedback ITT about rehabbing a hip. Mom complains about rehab but she will do everything asked of her. I will stress it comes down to strength of mind when it comes to progress.
This is astonishing and very encouraging to know. I'm sorry you lost your friend but it sounds like they were made of strong stock. Assuming otherwise good health, age alone is no reason to fold up the tent.
I agree. I have heard of elderly people dying after a broken arm. In other words, they just decide to die. If OPs mother has the will to heal, she probably will.
Mom. 89-year-old showing rapid signs of vascular dementia. She fell during the night and broke a hip. Surgery, ball joint. Rehab stint at the hospital's rehab unit. ******
Still with me? My big question is can we expect my Mom to be rehabbed in a skilled nursing faculty enough to put some weight on that leg/hip to pass muster? We still want to move Mom to the nice Memory Care place. Does anyone have experience with rehabbing this injury at that age? The Hospital rehab place is doing rehab but taking it slow. Btw, my Mom only requires one person to help her to the wheelchair and to the bathroom.
My stepfather broke his hip in January 2007, making him 5 months shy of turning 88. He sure walked after. Does that count?
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