She lives in an independent senior apt. She had hip replacement June 2. June 16 she developed Pneumonia, had a slight heart attack, and also has CHF. She was hospitalized, and went to Rehab and discharged on July 3. She is also Bipolar with depression.
I can't get her motivated to even get up and take her meds in the morning without going over myself. I need help!!!
you might also have mom checked out by a geriatric specialist (not her surgeon) as to her general health. It sounds as though she's suffering from post anesthesia brain fog, which is very common in the elderly.
I am surprised your Mom had such little rehab time. Or was it a situation where your Mom didn't really want to do the exercises? I know it can be painful and boring. Is she getting at at-home physical therapy?
That is strange that your Mom lost 28 pounds in just two months. Usually with a surgery one doesn't have the energy to move about but still continue to eat the same amount of calories. Or did she just didn't feel like eating?
Yes, after surgery it can be disappointing as one thinks within weeks you are back to where you were prior to surgery. Surprise. Doesn't always work that way. I am going through that myself, broke my shoulder back early May and still cannot do 3/4 of the stuff I wanted because my arm just isn't cooperating, thus rehab x3 a week for the next 3 or 4 months.
As far as the medications are concerned discuss with her Dr which ones are necessary for her to continue and most importantly if they are once daily can they be taken in the evening after you leave work. It is also important for her to continue to do the exercises for her hip because the muscles become very weak. If you can get her to walk outside for a while in the evening even using the walker or a cane is fine or get her a rollator so she can walk a while then sit and rest and maybe talk to some of the other residents in the community. I have had a hip replacement and was 68 at the time am now 76 so i know how hard it is to recover so she's not playing for sympathy at his point but continue to encourage independence because you should definitely keep your job and her next step would be assisted living
The last thing you don't want to happen is that you start being called in on the carpet because you are arriving late.
You might want to check with your local council on aging to see if there are any programs where someone could go over to help your Mom in the morning. Otherwise, Mom will need to hire someone to help her.