Fractured Rib, Walker and other stuff

[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!

[phesina]

Dear Sandie, I don't have any helpful suggestions, just lots of good wishes and prayers to add to those already coming for you and your Dad. Don't forget to take care of yourself, too, while you work so hard taking care of him.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}} and ~~~~~PURRS~~~~~,
Pat and cats

[Alysser]

I'm so sorry to hear this happened to your poor Dad. I hope he feels better soon! That sounds painful.

[Taz_Zoee]

No advice here either. Only thoughts for you and your Dad.

[Cinder & Smoke]

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 ...

You'll probably need a reliable "bed alarm", but also a Dad-proof door or gate
to guard the "steps" that Dad might encounter while taking a 'hike' around the house!

Another good activity for Dad would be to enroll him in a local Senior Day Care -
often provided by a county agency or a local church. There's one near me that provides
door-to-door handicap bus service to pick up and return the Folks;
and offers all-day care and activities for the Seniors.

[MoonandBean]

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???

Unfortunately, it often takes a family member to advocate for the patient to get the best care. I wish everything that should be done was always done but that's just not the case in today's medical world. Thank God he has you there to watch out for him

[lvpets2002]

Oh Dear Sandie I am sad to read this.. Hope your Dad is doing better today.. Oh that fractured rib can be painfull.. Now how young is your dad?? Sending lots of Prayers & Huggss..

[Freedom]

Now how young is your dad??

Dad was 82 at Thanksgiving.

Dad came home about 2:30 this afternoon. He has a cane, not a walker. They felt he was not able to figure out how to maneuver the walker. They also did not send home the "chamber and ball" (I forget what it is called) as he could not learn how to use that either. He does have to do some deep breathing exercises.

I made sure the nurses documented all the dementia and sundowning stuff, so that will help get some assistance there as well as with the rib recovery. For the next couple weeks as the rib heals, Dad is considered "house bound." We will have a visiting nurse, perhaps some physical therapy (for the breathing). Will see about an aide, someone to be with him while I go out. This evening I went out to dinner with friends and he was alone for a bit over 3 hours. He sat in his recliner and didn't move. Um . . . I mean he didn't get up when he had to go to the bathroom, or anything, he just sat and waited for me to return. If you get what I'm saying.

Phred, thanks for all the ideas. I was actually in the process of getting Dad in to adult day care when this fall happened. So now I have a few weeks to pull that together.

I have someone coming tomorrow to help with some safety issues which I already know of, (I already bought what I needed from Home Depot, just need a bit of an assist with installations) and I am sure I will have a few other changes needed after the safe home inspection tomorrow as well.

Phred, I've been doing all that you listed for Darlene for 8 years now, ever since he moved in with me and I stopped working to care for him full time. It was a good suggestion, though, so thank you.

Marlin and I are both looking forward to a good night's sleep now that Dad is home!!!

[Daisy and Delilah]

Sandie, it sounds like you've got your hands full. I'm sending giant hugs to you. Best wishes to you and Dad that everything falls into place exactly how you both need it.

[Cinder & Smoke]

He has a cane, not a walker.
They felt he was not able to figure out how to maneuver the walker.

They also did not send home the "chamber and ball" ...
as he could not learn how to use that either.

He does have to do some deep breathing exercises.

No walker and no breathing exerciser?


This sounds like a cop-out on the part of the hospital discharge folks!

Walking (effectively) with a cane is a lot more difficult for an unsteady
elder person
than learning how to lean on and move with a 4-legged (NO wheels) walker.

SOME "walkers" are more complicated than a car -
* dual, independant fron & rear brakes (hand applied - like a bike)
* free-pivoting wheels - all 4 corners
* cargo basket
* seat to rest upon
* a BELL to clear the way
* personalized 'license plate'

If he NEEDS a walker, someone needs to get him a simple one and help him learn
how to walk with it.

Same with the Breathing Exerciser - TEACH him how to use it or plan to
sit with him and coach him through every step of the procedure.
MY Mom could never remember when to Inhale, and when to Blow - let alone
how to *hold* the darn thing. Mom enjoyed using it as long as she had a
cheer leader reminding her what to do and encouraging her by calling out
the readings.

[cassiesmom]

Just a thought. A cane might be easier to maneuver for Freedom's Dad than a walker because of his dementia. It might come a little more naturally to him as opposed to a walker. Same thing with an incentive spirometer - it isn't easy (especially when you don't feel well) to remember all the steps of using it correctly. Deep-breathing exercises might be simpler. Anything that gets him regularly deep breathing and avoiding pneumonia will help.

Freedom, I have you in my thoughts and prayers and I put your Christmas photo on my dresser today.

Hugs,
Elyse

Mom would agree to do stuff for Darlene that nobody else could get done

Nurses are funny that way!

[Catty1]

This might be a dumb thought for the breathing exercises...but are there balloons available that are 'easy' to blow up?

That might do in a pinch.

HUGS and prayers for you and your dad. I hope you get a job soon, and that your dad feels better and gets to a daycare program. He just might find that a lot of fun.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Unfortunately, it often takes a family member to advocate for the patient to get the best care.
I wish everything that should be done was always done
but that's just not the case in today's medical world.

Thank God he has you there to watch out for him

Consider doing what My Mom did when she still lived independantly in her apartment
at the Retirement Village - she hired a State Certified Nurse's Assistant to help with
bill paying, meals, and general daily activities. "Darlene" was a Godsend to Mom, Sis, and I!
She'd visit Mom two or three times most days; accompany Mom on Doctor's visits;
be a companion; and became almost a member of the family. Mom "shared Darlene" with
4 other elderly ladies in the complex - so everyone only "paid" for her about
10 - 15 hours per week; but saw her almost every day.

Even after Mom transferred into the Extended Care (Nursing Home) wing of the Village;
Darlene remained "on the payroll" to keep a watchful eye on Mom
AND the professional Nursing staff. The MOST handy feature was that
Darlene held a "Medical Power of Attorney" on Mom - and could speak for Mom
(or Sis and I) when dealing with doctors or the Nursing staff.

An added benefit? Mom would agree to do stuff for Darlene that nobody else could
get done - physical therapy, exercises, taking bad-tasting meds, or finishing meals.