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Elderly parents
Original poster

Alzheimer's, broken hip and delirium

31 replies

loopylou459 · 23/05/2025 13:13

DM is 85 - has quite advanced Alzheimer's and lives in a care home. She could walk a little way unaided and quite well with a zimmer. She could eat and drink independently. Was incontinent though.

She had a fall on Sunday evening. Paramedics called and said just bruising. Was in a lot of pain the following day and eventually taken to hospital on the Tuesday afternoon, where it was found that she had, in fact, broken her hip. She eventually had a repair operation on Wednesday.

I've come to visit her today (I live a long way away) and am feeling pretty despondent about the future. She is looking extremely frail, not eating or drinking, refusing medication. Mainly sleeping but when awake not making any sense at all. They say it's delirium. She's refused to get out of bed for physio due to the pain.

Looking at her, I just can't see how she's ever going to recover even enough to go back to the care home.

Not really sure why I'm posting.

OP posts:
Original poster
loopylou459 · 23/05/2025 20:47

DPotter · 23/05/2025 14:50

You don't have to have a firm reason to post - sometimes just typing words out can help you clear your own thoughts.

The GA alone would have been a really strong knock out for your DM - so give it time and I mean a week or so, not just 48 hrs. A hip fracture is a big deal for a frail 85 year old so recovery will be slow.

As for pain relief - ask if they have considered patches - we got those for my DM and they did seem to help and certainly overcame the refusal to take liquid or tablets.

Ask the staff how they think she's doing and what timescales they are working to

Thanks - you are right I need to wait and see I guess. They have given her a patch but they said it would take 3 days to take full effect. Hoping she'll feel a little better when it kicks in.

They moved her with difficulty from bed to a chair today using a hoist and she was crying out in pain 😔

OP posts:
DPotter · 23/05/2025 14:50

You don't have to have a firm reason to post - sometimes just typing words out can help you clear your own thoughts.

The GA alone would have been a really strong knock out for your DM - so give it time and I mean a week or so, not just 48 hrs. A hip fracture is a big deal for a frail 85 year old so recovery will be slow.

As for pain relief - ask if they have considered patches - we got those for my DM and they did seem to help and certainly overcame the refusal to take liquid or tablets.

Ask the staff how they think she's doing and what timescales they are working to

Namechange285 · 23/05/2025 14:31

Sorry to hear about your DM. It’s still early days and while unfortunately this turn of events can lead to a swift decline, effective pain management and early mobility will be absolutely key in trying to help her rehabilitate. Try and keep her oriented - even simple things like reminding her that it’s day time, who you are and where she is and reassuring her. Ask the nursing team about her pain relief and any options for better pain management. Ask the physios if there are any ways to get her sitting out of bed even if this is via a hoist/into a suitable chair and ask them to give you some advice on maintaining her mobility while she’s in bed. Even simple things like encouraging her to move a little in the bed/take some big deep breaths can be helpful in maintaining some mobility and preventing a chest infection. Hope that’s of some help and wishing your DM well

Original poster
loopylou459 · 23/05/2025 13:29

helpfulperson · 23/05/2025 13:19

Is the carehome a nursing home? If so she should be able to return, if not it maybe she needs a nursing home. With support from district nursing and hospital at home they can provide most of what a hospital can.

It is still early days and things can change quite rapidly.

I know it is a shock when there is a sudden change like this.

No it's a care home not a nursing home unfortunately.

OP posts:
AnotherVice · 23/05/2025 13:20

I’m afraid to say your concerns are probably accurate. The statistics of recovering to baseline are very poor and it sounds like baseline was poor already. I imagine it will be a prolonged stay in hospital before discharge to either a good care home that can manage her or go into nursing.

helpfulperson · 23/05/2025 13:19

Is the carehome a nursing home? If so she should be able to return, if not it maybe she needs a nursing home. With support from district nursing and hospital at home they can provide most of what a hospital can.

It is still early days and things can change quite rapidly.

I know it is a shock when there is a sudden change like this.