My Mother Broke Her Hip Yesterday. Any Advice?
By megs85
@megs85 (3142)
Australia
September 25, 2007 3:52pm CST
My mum was walking to the front door to answer it (two jehovas witnesses were knocking) and slipped on a piece of junk mail shehad left by the door to be put into the recycle bin when she next went outside. She slammed into a huge terracotta pot sh ehas nextto the front door, and couldn't get up.
When i got to the hospital sh ehad just had xray's and they thought her hips was broken. When I got home she called me and told me it was, and that they were operating last night or in the early hours of thismorning.
I've already called the hospital, 6.30am, but I can't get any info on how th op went, or anything like that. I was planning on going in to see her at 8am even though she'll still be out of it from the morphine, but the hospital policy is visiting after 2pm... Augh! I'm so frustrated. How much do visiting hours suck in these sorts of situations?
My partner is a builder and is going to put up some handrails in her house and so forth for when she gets out of hospital in about amonth (with a few months rehab to go). I thought of putting one in the shower, one near the bath, and one on the front door step.
What other things is she going to need?
Has anyone else broken thier hip, or had a relative who has?
What can I do to mkae things easier and more comfortable for her?
I'll do all her grocery shopping and all that kind of stuff.
I don't know, I guess I'm freaking out alittle, and trying to remain calm by focusing on the practical things I can do, so if anyone wants to give me some other things to focus on so I don't have a breakdown that would be great...
2 people like this
7 responses
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
25 Sep 07
My own mother broke her hip in 2003 and had a hip replacement; depending on her age and the severity of the break that's possibly what they'll do (or have done) on your mother. The hand rails are a good idea and if she has a problem getting up and down they also have toilet seats you can get. There are also lift chairs that are operated by a control hooked onto the chair. It's a recliner but it lifts up more to help someone get up. If she needs a walker that should be provided by Medicare. Make sure you ask the right questions because Medicare along with any other insurance if she has will cover for most of the equipment you need to modify her home. She may be sent to a nursing home or similar facility for rehab for a short time - also depending on her age and general condition, etc. Depending on her other medical needs there is home care available, also covered by insurance and Medicare. For example my mom uses oxygen and takes breathing treatments at home and she also has a blood test take at home once a month. There are lots of services available for people to make your life easier as well as your mom's. I'm surprised about the visiting hours; usually they'll allow immediate family in almost any time, at my local hospital at least that's how it is. Let me know how she comes along and if you have any other questions I can help you with. Been there, done that. Also, if you need to take time off from work you're entitled to Family Medical Leave. If you get paid time off they have to honor it for that reason. Good luck!
Annie
1 person likes this
@wisedragon (2325)
• Philippines
26 Sep 07
She will need a walker to reduce the load on her hips. You might want to elevate her sofa and toilet seat just a couple of inches so that she won't be bending her hip too much. Make sure she doesn't rotate her hips (as in crossing legs) because that would aggravate her condition.
Most importantly, make sure this doesn't happen again. Eliminate clutter from her house. Make sure there's nothing slippery on her floor.
@bharatibajaj (133)
• India
26 Sep 07
Well friend,the hip fracture is really awful,my both had been fractured in a major accident.I ve undergone 6 major operations including HIP_REPLACEMENT.Please take care for her to do the physio-therapy exercises from day 1, even after the op like pressing the KNEESon the bed etc though it would be painful.I am sure the docs would take care of that.She would be needing a WALKER & then a stick for sometime.do take care of her diet as she is going to be in bed for sometime.Occupy her with some of her INTERESTS so that she forgets the pain.Wishing your mother a very speedy recovery.
GOD BLESS!!
www.creatingcolourfulfuture.com
@3lilangels (4639)
• United States
26 Sep 07
im so sorry to hear that and i hope she will be ok.i never had this happen or know anyone but i wish you the best with dealing with this.i think she might need a walker to help her get around easier.my prayers are with you and your family.pattie
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
26 Sep 07
Megs, it sounds like many people have given you good advice. First off, unless she signs papers, the hospital cannot release her medical information to anyone. She needs a durable power of attorney for healthcare. Hospitals have social services persons to help with that. If the hospital has rehab services there, she may just move to a different floor and stay there. You may also want to look into a rehab nursing home. She needs to scrupulously follow Dr. orders and pt orders. If she is told to keep it at a certain angle, she should do that. If she is told to use a wedge brace between her legs at night, she should do that too. It is important that the bone heal in the right position. A big hazard with this injury is a bloodclot breaking loose and travelling to her lungs, heart or brain. She needs to move when they tell her to move, and as much as they tell her, to keep down those kinds of risks. Each individual is different in how they heal, and what they need at home. All of the suggestions I read are valid, and good. I wish you all the best.
