Convalescence options?

[Malbecfan]

I know I don't post on here very often but when I have done, people have been lovely.

My aunt rang me in a complete state on Tuesday evening. I was running a school concert so didn't pick up the message straight away. In short, DF had a fall and couldn't get up. He managed to phone his sister and she also contacted his neighbour. Between the 2 of them, they got him up and to bed. DF thought he was dying (he never has ANYTHING wrong with him - he is 88) so I have managed to wangle some compassionate leave and driven 230 miles to stay with him, having only dropped him back home from staying with us for Christmas on Saturday. I persuaded DF to see the GP who sent us to A&E. DF has broken the top of his humerus so is now in a sling and feeling rather sorry for himself.

Whilst it isn't his dominant hand, he is really struggling to do anything much by himself. He can't even get out of bed without help. The GP and orthopods are meant to be phoning this morning so I will quiz them. DF could come back with me, but would then be in a different area and I would not be around all the time due to work commitments. DF is not against the idea of a few weeks in a convalescent home near where he lived and does have the funds to be able to facilitate this.

Do they exist? How do I go about looking for one? Although I was born & brought up here, I haven't lived here for 26 years so my knowledge isn't what it was. All help gratefully received.

Many nursing homes provide respite or convalescence care.
There may be a community hospital in his area with a rehab ward: very tricky to get a bed in one though.
or they may suggest a temporary package of care at home, with carers going in regularly.

I imagine it would just be care homes for respite/short term stay. Google your area and see which ones come up.

eg
https://www.bupa.co.uk/care-services/what-type-of-care-do-i-need/respite-and-short-stays

Thanks all. I have found some locally and went to visit one this morning with my cousin. It was awful, so he's not going there. I'm about to visit a BUPA one so I'm hoping it is a bit better, otherwise I'm going to have to take leave of absence and stay here for another week until he has seen the orthopaedic team at the hospital. In the meantime, my bloody annoying sister has been carping and crying from the Costa del Crime about him going into a home, even just on a temporary basis, but she's not exactly fighting to come over and help. Carers wouldn't really work as he needs little & often with help like fastening his braces & making a brew.

Have you managed to find a Home for him. DFIL went into one to recover and having regular meals with the other residents and generally being looked after did him no end of good

@PinkMimosa yes thanks. The BUPA one was lovely. DF was assessed by the hone's convalescence nurse today and deemed suitable to go there once we know what if any further treatment he needs. Just waiting til the orthopaedic appointment and we'll take it from there. My work has thankfully been very understanding. although I have offered to take unpaid leave, which I suspect they will take me up on. Not-so-dear sister is still questioning everything; the latest is asking why we are waiting a whole couple of days to go back to the hospital which saw DF when we could just go to a whole different private one. DF is happy to wait and see the same team for some continuity but that's not good enough.

DF has had lots of calls and visits so he is a lot happier. We've also sorted out the room where he spends most of his time so it is much tidier and he is quite cheerful. I wish I was...

Your dad is lucky to have you, sounds like you're doing a great job! Tell your sister to fly over if she thinks she can do better! Cheeky mare!

Thinking ahead, does your dad have a careline or other falls alarm, and do you know why he fell? While it may have been a totally innocent fall, falling and not being able to get up, even with a fractured humerus, might indicate something that needs a bit of follow up. Has the gp triggered a falls assessment for your dad?

@olderbutwiser not yet but we discussed it over Christmas and, depending on his recovery, we will be looking to get one installed. He is not sure why he fell. He thinks he might have tripped on the carpet - it is very slightly ridged but nothing dramatic. The GP checked all his vital signs and said everything was completely normal. He has never fallen before, other than out of a tree nearly 50 years ago when he was trying to saw the thing down and a rotten branch gave way. He bust 2 ribs then and was as grumpy as hell. He is ultra careful outside and always uses crutches as his hip consultant advised after his 2nd hip replacement. However, in the flat, he is less careful.

@BettyBoobles that's very kind. I find her an utter nightmare. She did want to fly over but has a teenage son and her DH has shingles, so unsurprisingly, DF said no. Due to a chequered driving history, she struggles to rent a car here and DF won't let her drive his, so she would have to get taxis to transport DF. As public transport in my part of the world is crap, I drive up, so my car is here and DF can get into and out of it reasonably easily, which makes taking him to A&E/GP/appointments quite straightforward.