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My mother is 80 years old, has dementia and also has osteoporosis. Her bones are very, very brittle. In the past 5 years she has broken her pelvis, broken her hip, and broken her leg. She had a pin put in her hip two years ago and when she came out from the anesthetic, her dementia had worsened. She no longer walks and has to be lifted from her bed to her recliner, to her rolling chair... etc. Two days ago as she was sitting in her recliner I was getting ready to move her and when I uncrossed her ankles, she began yelling in pain. I don't know how, but it seems like she has another broken bone. Probably in her hip (the same one with a pin in it). I have not taken her for x-rays. The last time it was very traumatic for her and she fought getting on the table-- we almost gave up, she got so violent it took two of us to hold her down. I really don't want to put her through that again. What could they do for her anyway? Her neurologist said she should not go under anesthesia again, so surgery would not be an option. She has a hospital bed here at home and is comfortable in bed. Ibuprophen seems to work for the pain, if we don't move her around too much. Memory foam mattress and gentle shifting of her weight keeps her from getting skin breakdowns. She is still eating and drinking well.
Should I take her for x-rays? What would change if we knew for certain she had broken her hip again?... I want to do what is best for my mom. Personally, I think the best thing is to not move her and let it heal on its own. Or is this the wrong thing to do?

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Treat the pain first and foremost. Call Hospice, they have excellent pain meds.
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I get the feeling that your mother is beyond the point of needing family care alone, no matter how experienced you are with handling her. Pam's advice is excellent. I would be worried that anything I did to move her would end up breaking a bone and causing pain. I admire your bravery in lifting and transferring her if he bones are brittle.
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I'd get a hospice evaluation, but I think I would avoid the hospital and the x-rays.

Are you able to care for her around the clock without being sleep deprived and burned out yourself?
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I have a lady who is a CNA and a friend of my Moms who stays with her during the day so I can go to work.. and another lady on weekends who has only been with my mom a few months. Mother has enough money to keep doing this for 3 more years. After that..we will see how it goes. I did call for a hospice evaluation, so we will see what they say. She actually is better today, after 2 and a half days in bed. She is moving her legs- bending and straightening them herself without seeming in pain. I'm hoping this is just a blip and whatever it is will heal quickly. We will take it easy with her and just see how she fares. She weighs about 97 pounds, so lifting her is no problem. She ain't heavy, she's my mother...as the song goes...
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