Advice following DM's Fractured Hip Op

[Icequeen01]

My DM82 sadly fell and broke her hip a week ago. She's had the hip pinned. I have no idea what to expect regarding her recovery (we haven't had a discharge meeting yet).

I would really appreciate hearing other people's experiences. Did they stay with you initially? How did you manage bathing/showering? How long did it take for them to become reasonably mobile? My DM lives very near to us but I don't like to think about her going straight home and in some ways it would be easier for me to have her with us whilst she recovers. Only problem is DH and I work full time although I work locally so could come home at lunchtime to sort out her lunch etc.

She is also a little confused at the moment. She had some memory issues before the operation but was still living very independently and kept a spotless house and looked after herself well. We just had to write things down for her and she would sometimes repeat herself but it was all very manageable. I'm hoping the confusion she is experiencing at the moment does fade as she recovers. It's not that she doesn't recognise us or anything like that but its as though she is in a fog and she can't take anything in.

I'm tired and feeling very emotional and I would be so grateful to hear from anyone who has been through this.

I'm so sorry about the fall, that must have been an awful shock to you all

We've not experienced a broken hip but we have experience of falls. What happened here both times was that they went to a home for some weeks to recover. Being at home with Carers coming in won't be enough I imagine, or at your home if you're at work. She'll need to be mobile, have physio and nay need help with going to the toilet.

I'd also ask to talk to a Dr caring for her about the memory loss. It could be an infection but occasionally it can be permanent following a GA

Thank you so much for replying to my post. It was the most awful shock and I can't believe how much our lives have changed in an instant.

My DH had a conversation with the discharge team and they have mentioned a rehabilitation centre if needed. I know DM would hate this as she will think this means she is going into a home but hopefully we can reassure her it is just until she is mobile enough to come home.

I'm going to ring some companies on Monday about getting a chair lift put in. I've talked to DM about this and she seemed very keen. She already has an arthritic knee (which is on the same side as her fractured hip) and this may be why she tripped/fell. I have been noticing she was struggling a little with the stairs so this has been on the cards I think anyway.

My worry is that even if she can get upstairs she only has a bath with a shower in it. She loves her bath but can't see her being able to step into a bath again so we may have to look into changing her bath to a step in bath although not sure where all this money is coming from!

Hi op, I'm sorry you are going through this.

I also strongly suggest going to a recuperation hospital/home if at all possible, toileting is much easier in an adapted set up so if she can recover and get her strength back at a respite home it will make coming home much easier.

Regards the fog, is she drinking enough?dehydration, caused by a fear of an accident/having to trouble someone to help is a major factor in confusion. It is also warm at the moment, I really recommend keeping a running record of how much she is drinking and how often she is going to the toilet.

You also need occupational health to come and assess the house, grab handles in the toilet, on the door, sometimes near the stairs to help with transfer from stair lift to walking. Rollators on each floor so she has something to keep her stable, you can get them with a tray so she can carry things and still steady herself.
For the Bath you can get a electronic bath chair which raises you up and down however still getting in and out can be tricky so she will probably need help.
An electric arm chair can be really helpful, as they help to stand but also can be much easier to sleep in after an injury.
Regards money, there are charities that lend equipment but also look second hand, unfortunately there are a steady stream of second hand mobility equipment at the fraction of the new price.

I'd also recommend an emergency necklace/button so that if she falls etc she can easily contact you. If she won't agree to this google/alexa set to call you in every room.

Lastly you should start thinking about power of attorney, or at least the steps towards this, even getting her to put on her notes that you can talk to the doctor if you are worried can help.

Ultimately if you plan for the worst now it makes the present much easier. I've known lots of people recover completely from breaks and return to their normal lives and I really hope your mum recovers quickly but these conversations are much easier now than when it is too late.

Some great advice there from Duck.

I'd put off getting in a Stairlift for now. Rehabilitation usually takes 6 to 8 weeks so you'll have plenty of time to get one in place and you can you some of that time to research whether new, secondhand or hired would be the best option.

Thank you so much @Ducksurprise, your post is so helpful. I agree about the rehab home and although I know DM will not be happy we will be encouraging her to go.

One thing I omitted from my last post is that unfortunately my DM fell whilst she was visiting my DSis who lives 200 miles away. DM is therefore feeling very lost and far from home and I have to say the standard of care hasn't been great. DSis and I have really had to fight DM's corner on a couple of matters. They are looking to transport her back by ambulance to our local hospital early next week. Although I think my DM will feel happier being closer to home we have huge anxiety about her travelling in an ambulance for 4 -5 hours although they have assured us her pain will be managed but I fear the journey may set her back.

With regards to her intake of water I have been watching this, particularly as she hadn't be able to go to the loo since her accident a week ago. Luckily this issue has resolved itself today which will hopefully make DM feel more comfortable! I do think some of the fog is from the pain relief and I found out today she has been having morphine injections so I'm sure this will be contributing to the fog.

I think an emergency necklace/button is a brilliant idea and I know she would be very happy to have one - her confidence has been shattered I think. I also like the idea of an electric chair so will look into this as well.

Luckily DM already has a mobility scooter (she will only use it when she's with me and it fits in my car) and this will be great for getting her out and about once she's well enough and I know this will be crucial in improving her confidence and helping with her mental well-being.

We have had Power of Attorneys in place for a few years now so that at least is sorted!

Thank you again for taking the trouble to respond.

Thank you @PritiPatelsMaker - Good point about the stair lift. DH has connections with, let's say, a more mature FB group and he has asked if anyone has any recommendations about company's who supply them locally and has received some replies and someone is selling a second hand one so plenty to be thinking about.

Basic things (I’ve had a hip replacement) - a raised toilet seat, so she isn’t squatting too low, a grabber so she can pick things up off the floor, possibly a sock aid. And remove any rugs/mats as they can get in the way of a walker, stick etc.
How low is her favourite chair? She might need a solid cushion that is a couple of inches high, or may even need to consider an electric raising chair.