Hip Recovery at 88 years old?

[yelenots]

My mother fell this morning as has broken her hip. They are going to operate within 48 hours and I was just wondering if anyone out there has been in the same situation? I feel she may never recover from this.
Her mobility was very poor before this happened and she has only just got over having several mini strokes. I feel that this is just a 'step backwards' and I am so worried about her having such a big operation at her age...but there is no other alternative they have to relieve the pain.

[woofgang]

yele, have you asked why not and what the plan is? Are they monitoring her nutrition and hydration?

[yelenots]

hi, just got from the hospital and i am so upset - they havent done the scan - i've spoke to 3 nurses who said they would chase it up. But what has upset me the most is how much she has deteriorated since yesterday. We went this afternoon and she was very confused and vague. They had moved her into a chair because they say there is no fracture!
Tonight I went on my own, and I was horrified when I got there as i found her slumped to one side of the chair alseep, with her meal still in front of her (it was 6.40pm) and food all down her, on her hands and face - I first thought she had vomitted. I cleaned her up and fortunately a nurse came and I asked her to change her nightie etc. As she hadnt ate anything I ask for them to get her a sandwich and banana -by the end of visiting at 7.30 it still hadnt arrived! She is diabetic and the same beaker that was there this afternoon half full of water was still there tonight - its so upsetting I dont know what to do - the only thing I've thought of is phoning her social worker in the morning, they are based at the hospital and arranged her discharge after she had the mini strokes in Feb.
Is this a good idea or not? its the only one I can think of at the moment
Thanks everyone

[Mamyalynne]

Oh Yele, it so saddens me to read this, you need to get as much help as you can, she absolutely must have the scans/ x rays needed and as for food and drink, there is no excuse.
Do contact the social worker and make a fuss on the ward too until someone gets this sorted out.

[arwyn]

I'd refuse to leave at the end of visiting and care for Her Myself if I were You. The lack of care in a Newcastle hospital led to the death of both of My (step) Grandparents within 6 months of each other. I hope She recovers yelenots. Good luck.

[ttfn]

Dear yele - |I can only echo Mamya's words. Your poor mum and you (((HUGS))). It must be awful to have gone through that today. Try and get some sleep tonight, for tomorrow you will need your wits about you to get something moving. I would make such a fuss and refuse to give up. Unless they can give you a sound reason why the scan has not been done their position is indefensible imo. You are both in my prayers, I wish that it gets sorted to your satisfaction tomorrow ♥

[anneasquith]

imo, the care your mother has as yet received is dreadful. if at all possible i would return tonight. and would not leave the hospital until you speak to a ward/unit manager. and asap make an appointment with her doctor . and dont for a second think you are " making a fuss" very best wishes to you and mum. anne .

[starone]

I agree with ttfn. I am convinced my mother died because of lack of care when she was in hospital. I think she must have starved to death, but I could not prove it and they let her fall so that she broke her arm. As she had had several strokes she was paralysed down one side, which meant she had no way of getting food into her mouth. I am sure that the only time she had something to eat was when I fed her. When they approached me before I got into the ward they said she had fallen. It did not occur to me then as I was so worried to ask how she could fall, since she could not move. The sister said she fell from the toilet - she had to be lifted on and off and there was a bar across to prevent falling so it was an impossibility. I thought afterwards they must have let her fall while lifting her. It was too late to do anything about it when I had finally reasoned it all through. I hope I do not have to go through that. If I knew then what I know now, I would have been more strident about it. Sorry about the rant, but if it tells you anything yelenots it may do some good.

[yelenots]

Thank you all for your advice and I am so sad to hear of your experiences. I will phone the social worker first thing.....I'm just praying that I dont get a call from the hospital to say something awful has happend before the morning.
Thank you all for your kind words xx

[woofgang]

Tomorrow, get in touch with Pals (Patient Advice and Liaison), tell them what has happened and ask them what they are going to do about it.

[Philtaz]

I feel for you as unfortunately this has become the norm in the NHS and an all too familiar scenario one hears about, especially involving elderly patients.
I would ask to see the consultant in charge of your mothers care or the on call consultant.
Don't allow yourself to be fobbed off.
Hope your Mum picks up soon.

[yelenots]

Thanks everyone for your help and support, I have rang her social worker this
morning - no use at all, not even returned my call! so I took woofgang advice and phone PALS. Within 10 minutes it was being dealt with and someone went to go and see her. At lunchtime I had a call back to say they would move her to a side ward wth other ladies so she is visible and they would monitor her eating and drinking for 24 hours and a student nurse would help her eat.
I have just got back from visiting and she seems much brighter and more 'with it' probably because she has had food and water!
She finally went for her scan when we were there - I have not been given the results yet. They couldnt of apologised more.
So thank you again for everyones advice I wouldnt of had the courage to complain without it - I just hope she recovers - but at least I know I have done something positive to help her while she is in there xx

[ttfn]

yele - what a huge relief for you, I am so pleased your mum was feeling that much better. Well done, woofgang, a fine example of AB at its best. yele - I hope you are feeling much better about your mum's situation now, have a good night's rest and please keep us updated ♥

[Mamyalynne]

Oh Yele. so very glad to hear that things have got moving in the right direction, it is in a way a shame we have to question what goes on to make the system work sometimes, but we do.

Take good care of yourself too. Thanks for letting us know.

[BAKERS DOZEN]

Good news Yele - so glad things have taken a turn for the better. Tell your mum were are thinking about her.

[bednobs]

really glad to hear this. You could help while you are there by encouraging her to drink

[anneasquith]

woof, what a great suggestion i for one will keep your post. but is it not dreadful that relatives must use a helpline to get basic nursing care for a parent.......... ? yel great news about your mum, i hope she continues to improve.

[albaqwerty]

I hope all goes well with your mum yele, absolutely disgusting that they had to get kicked up their bahookies tho.

[woofgang]

Pals are useful people. They are the quality control of any nhs patient services organisation, except gps who are contractors. Yele you are very welcome, I am glad you are on the way to getting sorted and hope for good news for your mum.

[madeira1328]

hi yelenots, hope your mum is improving by now - my dad fell and broke his hip last year - so I have every sympathy with you. Remember if you were dealing with a child you would need to be an advocate for them - do the same for your mum, make a fuss, demand results and get answers and an idea of treatment planned for her - you cannot let up and as arwen said, dont leave until you are satisfied.

My friends mum would have died but for her consistent feeding and ensuring drinks were given ALL day - (she just stayed - no question) so when my dad took ill (dementia) then fell while in hospital, I too made sure his care was more than adequate by my intervention. He is slowly starting to walk, best wishes madeira1328

[yelenots]

Thank you for your kind words madeira.......finally had the scan and nothing is broken however she has deteriorated since last Monday - we think she may of had more mini strokes. The hospital did says they would monitor her eating and drinking and this was done for a couple of days but has lapsed over the weekend. This afternoon they were talking about letting her go back to the rest home tomorrow but we have just been tonight and she is back in bed, coughing and being very sick.....things just seem to get worse rather than better :(