Trouble with Rehab - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

Martha H · 09-26-2005, 06:14 PM

Well, Mom's remarkable recovery got her as far as a rehab clinic (Thursday) and after getting adjusted to the new place and a restful weekend, therapy began today.

Mom was not able to do any of it.

There is not enough strength in her arms to support herself on a walker. Her legs are too painful to stand on ..the leg which had the hip operation cannot carry her weight, the other leg can't move because she would have to put weight on the bad leg to move it . .so she just stands there.

Then they tried to give her some exercises involving a sand bag to increase the strength in her arms so she can keep herself upright using a walker and later, maybe, crutches. She couldn't do it. Her arms are also too weak to lift the required sand bags.

Bill was there during therapy and said she really did try hard but had a lot of pain and no success, none at all.

She was crying and frustrated and ready to give up. Ready to spend the remaining part of her life in a wheel chair.

I think everyone (including me) was expecting far too much from her. The hip operation was only ONE week ago ..how can she be expected to start walking alone with a walker?? What is the hurry: oh yes, of course, the Medicare 20 day limit on therapy , in patient. That's why the great rush.

It is sad to think Mom may give up after her very positive attitude all weekend .. but maybe they will see the error of their ways and take it slowly. She may not graduate to a walker before time is up, but even if she can stand and shuffle along between 2 people as she did at the hospital (still on morphine, now on nothing) it will be SOMETHING.

None of her feelings today have anything to do with her dementia,(which seems to be temporarily suspended!!!) You or I would be just as frustrated and disgusted . I know I would.

I lived overseas for 30 yrs and I know at least one case of a person who got 3 MONTHS of rehabilitaion (in a clinic) after an operation .. at no extra cost, insurance covered everything ... that person was 60, not 97...

Or do they think it is useless to bother at her age, so 20 days will be enough?

I know it is not likely, but does anyone out there know of a person over 90 who could walk again after hip surgery?? I somehow see her relegated to a wheelchair from now on (this is not the end of the world either, but likely means a NH rather than 'going home" which Mom hoped for ...

love,

Martha

Martha H · 09-26-2005, 08:16 PM

I just heard from a friend who is a nurse. She says they should be giving Mom painkillers 1/2 to 1 hr before the therapy sessions begin .. I sent it on to Bill. Hope that helps. This nurse said most hip surgery patients refuse pain meds because '"t only hurts when I move." Yet moving is what they need most. Paradox.

Let's hope tomorrow is better than today.

I'm sorry for what happened to your Grandma.

M

BarbaraH · 09-26-2005, 09:11 PM

Hi Martha,

I certainly hope the key is found so your mom can have rehab at a rate she can handle. She's had such an active life, it's sad to hit a roadblock now and sadder to imagine her frustration. Bless her heart!

My Mom was in a wheelchair the last 18 months of her life because she couldn't follow the PT instructions and do strengthening exercises. At that point, she didn't mind in the least.

Hope things are better tomorrow.

Sending hugs - Barbara

LuvMyLilDoggie · 09-27-2005, 05:11 AM

Martha, when I started reading your post, I thought "I'll bet they're doing the PT when her meds are wearing off". I was shocked when you said she wasn't on pain meds. My dh was on celebrex and later ultracet for several months after his surgeries.

I think insurance companies set specific time limits without ever concidering age or other health impairments. Of course we all know the older we get, the longer it takes to heal.

I hope the doctor will rx something for your mom's pain. That's inhumane to expect someone of any age who has gone through a surgery like that to do PT without anything for pain!

Do you think a visit from you might help to lift her spirits? If you can't visit just yet, maybe send her a care package? I know a box of Fannie May or a bag of Dove chocolates always lifts my spirits. (hmmmm, for some reason, the smilies won't work-clicking them brings me to the top of the page. ???).

I'm so sorry your mom isn't doing as well as everyone had hoped. But with pain meds, maybe things will change.

In the meantime, your mom is with Sally's MIL in my prayers.

Love, Barb

Martha H · 09-27-2005, 05:35 AM

I found out today that Mom can have Percodan for pain any time she wants it, but she says no. A friend who is a nurse (actually Jenny's sister in law) told me many hip surgery patients refuse meds because ''it doesn't hurt unless I move." But moving is what they need to do to get well!

Bill is very frustrated over the whole thing.

Jenny and I sent flowers yesterday and that cheered Mom up a little.

My oldest son and my granddaughter (from Germany) are thinking of visiting Grandma in a couple of weeks when school is cloesd for fall vacation. If they fly to NY I will certainly go too, we can stay at the same motel and visit Mom every day, and also spend time together; it's been 2 years since I saw them! That would be on October 10 to 16th.

I have to wait and see what Bill thinks of that visit, or if it even gets off the ground. He is frustrated that Mom seems to be ''giving up." She is not giving up, it's just very very hard, very painful, and she is so old and worn out.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Martha