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Thanks to all of you for your comments. As to my siblings--the brother with whom she lives will not let me take her to the dr. I am going to call her dr anyway and report what is going on. My brother is really kind of keeping her in this "tower"..as it were. The other 3 simply don't see her, maybe once a month, or they'll send a card or call, briefly.
My brother stated that this is part of her "living will" that she doesn't want anything done to "artificially lengthen her life". I disagree with the wording of that and the lack of basic concern about the falls. When I go to mom's to clean or to visit, all I hear about is the drama of the last fall. She very recently was checked for a UTI and does not have one. How do I just haul her to the Dr? She is very feisty, and doesn't much care for me. Any time I suggest anything (such as a CT scan following the really bad fall on Monday) she says "Oh let's wait and see what R has to say" ...as I am grinding my teeth in frustration. R is the brother she lives with, what he says is pure gold, as he is an EMT and she thinks he knows everything. BTW, the bedrails are coming down tonight. That was $100 wasted on something she thought she HAD to have! As we installed them I was thinking "this is such a bad idea".....oh well----
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It is hard when you are the one doing most of it, you have a clear handle on the realities of the situation -- and the siblings can't or won't listen to what you are seeing.

If possible, I would try to get her to an appt. with the family doctor over these falls and blacking out incidents. You could fib and say the doctor called to remind her of an appt. she "already" had scheduled if you think that would work. The spells do not sound like a normal part of aging, and the fact that it happens at night is making me think there is some medical answer -- think about how when your kids were sick and it would always get worse at night, you know?

Your instincts are spot on, there is something going on and she needs to be seen and evaluated. I think you are wrong about not being able to override your siblings wishes. Since they are basically not involved, I think that leaves you in a great position to do just exactly what you think is right. They may show up later and complain, but you can say you did what was needed, and likely the doctors will back you up.
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From what I have read on the forums, I would recommend you go back to your Mom's residence and remove those bed guard rails immediately [if you did install them].... an elder can get tangled up in those rails if they try to get out of bed, or they will scoot down to the end of the bed to get out. There are rubber mats you can put on the floor beside the bed to help on any falls.

As others have said, you need to find out what is causing the fainting. Is she still on any type of pain pill for her hip replacement, that could easily cause the fainting and loss of bladder control. Or it could be an inner ear imbalance. Or she can't feel her feet by the time evening comes. Or a knee that give out. Make some excuse to take her to the doctor.

Blacking out isn't part of the aging process. My Mom is 97 and has never had a fall. Yet my Dad who is 93 is always tumbling over as he is losing his balance doing stuff he shouldn't be doing in the first place.
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I will also add that my cousin suffered repeated falls and it was later determined she had had multiple strokes and had Alzheimers. She went from walking with cane to wheelchair in only 2 months after falls caused fractured spine and hand.
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Repeated falls are a warning sign that there is a problem. If the warnings are not heeded, she is likely to break a hip or worse. Does her doctor know she's falling this much? I bet he would not think that's okay.

I'm not sure who has legal authority over her, but it seems like she's in dire need. She could have any number of medical conditions or progressing dementia. I wouldn't wait for something drastic to happen to get her attention.
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The siblings are in denial. She needs at least assisted living, which will extend her life. A few more falls at home alone will land her in a full-on nursing home far sooner than you think. Talk to her MD, I think he would agree.
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She falls down in her apt which is connected to my brother's home. I agree!!! She needs to be assessed--but no one but me feels this way. I tried to call a family mtg with all 5 sibs and NOT ONE OF them would come. She says she has a dr's apt in APRIL and will check it out then. I don't think she will live that long. She does not have a UTI, that we know. I think she's having TIA's and will eventually have a full blown stroke--I can't take her against her will, I can't override my sibs' decisions to leave her be. I do NOT think she is capable of living "alone" as she is, but my idea of "cleanliness" and "safety" are not held in any regard by the family. (I worked for years in Elder Care, so I DO know what I am talking about here). My hubby was with me last night and he was appalled at her state--he hasn't seen her in almost a year. He agrees with me that she needs attention, but he has less say that do I. Thanks for your words of support!! I feel very alone in this situation.
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She falls down in an apartment where your brother lives? Tell him the next time she blacks out to call 911 and have her admitted to the hospital. Psych meds may make her a happier person. In any event, you need to find out why she's falling/blacking out. She might have a uti. Important to have her worked up by a competent team, including a geriatric psychiatrist. Onceshe is in the hospital, her living conditions need to be aassessed. Frankly, it doesn't sound like anyone in the family has a grasp on the situation.
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