Fractured Rib, Walker and other stuff

[MoonandBean]

So sorry to hear about your dad! Karen's response was great and I'll just add one thing: I'm sure they will tell him this but fractured ribs can easily lead to pneumonia as people tend to breathe shallow due to the pain. He should do "incentive spirometry" every hour or so. They will probably give him a chamber and ball that he has to blow into. If they don't; ask for one. If all else fails, he'll need to hug a pillow and make himself cough a couple of times every few hours. This is all to prevent pneumonia...which is very important (can you imagine pneumonia on top of a fractured rib? Ouch!)

Tell him I wish him a speedy recovery!

[Freedom]

Wow, thanks!! Both of you had lots of good info.

[Medusa]

No info from me, only encouragement and to let you know that I'm still praying for you and Dad.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Oh No Sandie!!!! I'm so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are going out to your Dad and you. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

[cassiesmom]

Oh No Sandie!!!! I'm so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are going out to your Dad and you. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

No info from me, only encouragement and to let you know that I'm still praying for you and Dad.

What D&D said! What Medusa said!

[K9karen]

*Sigh* Been in that situation 2x. Anyhoo..why don't you call Eldercare (should be in the phonebook) or your local county Department of Aging? I'll be you can get arrangements for an aide a few hours a day to stay with your dad while you shop etc. *Another Sigh*. If your dad is anything like my parents, they hated having a stranger in their midst, but I learned too late that I needed my own life. Good luck and lots of prayers for your dad's fast recovery.

Your Marlin and Dad's bed story is amazing. So habitual are our dear little buddies. I know Mz Logan won't even go into the bedroom on her bed at night unless I go in with her and stay there! Many late nights on PT resulted on my elbows being nosed in the air! And a firm demanding bark! Never a dull moment, and I only have one! Sending you lots of hugs!

[Freedom]

I really appreciate all the posts, thank you.

Tonight I asked the nurse about the chamber and ball, and she said yes, he probably should have one, she will make a note for the doctor to order one. And if I hadn't posted on here, learned about it and asked? What then???

Dad has a case manager, we met once today, have another meeting tomorrow. I now have lots of questions, after a lengthy discussion with the nurse this evening. I know 12 hour shifts are hard, but boy did that work well for us today!

This morning Dad seemed fine, we had a nice chat. Tonight he was quite out of it, and very sarcastic, so I went to ask her about it. She said he is "sundowning," a stage in the dementia. He has been doing this about 2 weeks. So she is going to document it more than she may have, as I haven't told any of Dad's doctors about it yet. She had several arguments with him this evening, and had to alarm his bed. For a few hours she had to alarm HIM, as he won't cooperate and call her, he just gets up and walks, without his walker.

She asked if I have his bed alarmed at home and I said no. She thinks maybe this will come up in the home inspection, and she made another note in Dad's file.

So we are making progress.

Thanks again for all your ideas, thoughts and good wishes!