Mom has had arthritis in her left knee for years. She's had several falls over the past year. The first one was when she was living in Florida, and I'm in Maryland.
In Florida, she fell, went to the ER, and they shipped her off to a rehab center. They were horrible, and did not help. It was so bad that my girlfriend and myself had to move her out of Florida, on one week's notice, and into my house in Maryland. She was living with us and it seemed she was getting better, when she took a fall in a grocery store. It was all downhill after that. All her confidence was sapped away, and she fell several more times, the last one resulting in a broken hip. Once again, she entered a rehab center. It seemed to me that she was getting better, but they said she was not progressing.
Now she is in long term care, where they don't do therapy, but "restorative nursing". I'm seeing her actually now go downhill, physically, and mentally.
She is just sitting in her wheelchair during daytime, even during activities. In the evening, she's in bed for 12 hours.
I've spoken to staff numerous times, and they say restorative nursing is all the law allows. I asked if we could bring in outside therapy, but they said no.
There is something very wrong with this, as I know she can get better. Maybe not fully, but I know with some real help, there is hope.
I'm at wits end and so is she.
Please let us know any suggestions you might have.
Thank you do much!
Therefore, I make all the decisions regarding her health care.
My mom broke her hip 11-2. She had surgery, spent 3 days in the hospital, 16 days in the rehab center, and is now back home, with home helpers basically around the clock when I am not there. She gets physical therapy twice a week. She is 88 and right now frustrated and overwhelmed. I don't know how it will all end, but at least she is at home. I say get her out of that facility and somewhere that is open to the possibility that she can get better through physical therapy. Good luck!
It sounds possible that your mother has other medical conditions besides arthritis. Were her falls related, perhaps, to TIA's or stroke or blood pressure problems?
Do you think you mother is not physically able to do things, or do you think that maybe she is giving up? After an elder gives up, there is nothing that people can do as long as there is the mindset. How old is your mother? Does she speak the language used in the facility? Does she have any other problems beyond the arthritis and immobility? If we know a bit more, we would have a clearer picture of something that might help.
I have seen other knee replacement patients who do not work at their PT on their own time. They do not make progress. If you go to PT 3 times a week, you have to repeat those exercises on your own the other 4 days, or nothing is gained. A year later they are no better than before surgery.
My mother was willing at some point, but while I watch her struggle to get out of that wheelchair, I see why she is giving up. Not too long ago she could get out of that wheelchair, but when the facility basically has her sitting in it for nearly 1/2 day, I see how it becomes a struggle. Again, I have talked to different staff numerous times, and have been told the same thing.
By the way, this is the third rehab center, in 2 different states, that have told me the same thing regarding going from therapy to restorative nursing. They all have told me that if she does not show progress, that's the end of therapy. It's a ridiculous way to treat elders. She was absolutely showing progress after she broke her hip. While in therapy, she went from just laying in bed, to walking 200 feet behind a walker. But she lost all that when she went to restorative, because they do not help her.
She has Medicare and a secondary insurance, but I do not think they can provide 24 hour assistance. I looked into this after her previous falls, but I can look into it again. She absolutely needs 24 hour assistance as she is diabetic as well and needs her medication. And I feel it is unsafe for her to be alone.
My mother does speak English, though with an accent. She used to be in good spirits when she was in therapy and getting around better. That gave her hope. But the lack of effort by staff is diminishing her hope and her spirit.
My mother wants to get better, so she is willing.
I can just sense the lack of help she is receiving. I am there at least 4 times per week. Unfortunately I work and can't witness day time activities. I have taken off so much from work, I dare not ask for more time off. So I can't see what they actually do. But I can tell you she is doing much worse than she should be.
The excuse I keep hearing is that she is on "restorative nursing", not rehab.
Apparently it's the law? I'm ready to get in touch with state officials to see what the law actually is. I need to get the state involved with this situation one way or another.
Again, I'm doing this on my own as I am her only family, and I work 6 days a week, so it's a tough fight.
Very frustrated as I have been trying to get her on her feer for over a year, but seems like every approach I have taken has been the wrong one.
Thanks for all your help. Seems I'm not the only one who has had these problems.
The health system needs a major overhaul!
How old is your mother?
Why is she falling?
Are you willing to take her into your home and get her meds and diet adjusted to where she is functioning again?
When she was still walking, my loved one's legs grew very weak and she had very poor balance. She was falling frequently. After a fractured spine, injured foot, broken hand and other bumps and bruises, it became apparent, that she was not walking well. If she did not go to the wheelchair, she would have likely broken a hip.
The patients in wheelchairs that I have seen in assisted living and the memory care unit, have the feet removed from the wheelchairs. They are still able to move their legs and feet and push themselves along all over the place. They can dance in place while sitting in their wheelchairs, too. Anything to keep active. It's not a great option, but IMO, you have to weight the risk of repeated falls and fractures.