My mom has multiple sclerosis and has just broken her hip about a week ago. She decided not to do surgery since she could not walk (she only stands to transfer herself) and the risk of dislocating in the future are very high for her. She is in a rehabilitation center right now and she miserable and in a lot of pain. I feel so overwhelmed by wanted to help her but I have a family of my own to take care of. Four and two year olds with one on the way and a husband who is a drill sgt in the army who has very long hours. I feel so overwhelmed and worried what the future will bring. She is unable to move in with us. We live in two story military housing. her home is five minutes away from our house so it has worked in the past, but she will probably need help full time and I know I can't do it. Next step might be looking at assisted living home. All she has is Medicaid and Medicare. I am not even sure what exactly I am asking but I could use some advice on what to do. And I needed to vent to someone who understands, sounds like most people here will. I am trying not to feel guilty about this all because i can't change anything, but i still do.
The meeting went okay, they said it's just up to my mom when she can go home, by that meaning when she can stand again to transfer herself. I have been very disappointed in the social worker at her facility, no help at all and doesn't respond to my messages. We are actually hoping to have her moved to another rehab with much better reviews from people I know. They also have long term and assisted living there so it will be nice to have those options for her. I have a question about her insurance and transferring but I think I saw a forum for medicare/Medicaid and I will post it there.
To try to answer some questions. My mom is 67, has had MS for about 35 years. She was warned with the anesthesia from surgery it could wipe her out for another three months easily. That on top of healing from the surgery itself and the very high risk of dislocation (because of not having enough muscle to keep it in place) made it an easy choice for her. If dislocation happened she would have to go through this experience all over again. They told her she can start bearing weight on her broken leg...although I'm not so sure about that one, but that is what the doctor said...
Before the broken hip, she was already at a point where I didn't see her living alone much longer. She is fully dependent on her scooter, and transferring was getting difficult. Enough to where she went from showering everyday to twice a week (she could still wash herself) and she said it would take a good hour for her to pull her pants up from after using the toilet. We had everything in place with the state so right when she would ask for help, she would have been able to receive assistance in the home. But after this injury, she needs more than the state programs can offer her.
Walking is not the be-all and end-all of function - if her thinking skills are not too bad and she can transfer to toilet and bed well enough with little enough assist for that facility's requirements, she could be fine in assisted living or even independent living for some time to come.
Stop the guilt. It doesn't help anything, and the stress will kill you. You can't take care of your Mom and 3 children under 5. Your responsibility is to your children. You don't give your Mom's age. I am quessing 55. She needs to figure out what she is doing, not you. MS cripples you, but your mind works. Her choices, her decision as to where she lives. MS sucks the big one, but your Mom must handle this. Also your siblings need to be involved. Maybe the answer is for your Mom to move closer to people who can assist her.
Please for the sake of your children, marriage, and most importantly you, stop. Stop the guilt, stop the stress, stop the worry. Lay the burden on your Mom's shoulder, where it belongs. The more a MS patient does for herself, the more she can do. Diet, exercise is what works for me. Good luck ,
1) You understand your priority is to not neglect your children and husband. Yes, Mother's needs must be considered, too, but you aren't losing sight of your other roles.
2) You know that none of your mother's problems are under your control. Sure, you feel guilty -- that is part of the package. Or maybe what we interpret as guilt feelings is just the frustration of our helplessness. In any case, don't let these feelings interfere with making good sound decisions.
3) You are realistic about what your mother needs and what you can provide. You are not determined to bring Mom into your home at all costs, even though it isn't a good fit.
4) You are looking ahead to getting her into a good setting. That is positive.
In short, I'm have more confidence in you than you might right now. You really have your head on straight, and you'll be able to give your mother much encouragement and support.
Once she is a rehab setting, talk to the social worker there regarding the search for an appropriate placement.
An elderly friend with MS did well in an assisted living facility for a while, but after she broke her hip she needed the higher level of care of a nursing home. My mother (94) broke her hip last year and also was not a good candidate for surgery. She can no longer walk and she is a two-person transfer, with a lift machine. She is quite content in a nursing home.
I know this is overwhelming right now. You CAN do it!
Stay strong.
One more question because this is definitely the time to ask this kind of thing. Does she have a regular will and a living will or a DNR?
I hope your meeting with the social worker goes well tomorrow. Keep us posted.
And like Magnum said, get the Powers of Attorney in place now.
True, there is nothing for you to feel guilty for. Your hands are extremely full with emotions probably all over the place with a child on the way! Are you having to deal with this as an only child or do you have any siblings?
Since she can't walk, assisted living is out of the question. How long is rehab going to keep her? I don't think she will be doing any PT since she can't walk and did not have surgery. Have you talked with her doctor about what needs to be done for her next? Like my mother who became fully ambulatory after falling and breaking her hip, most likely your mother needs to go to a nursing home.
Since she already has medicaid, I think you need to start with calling nursing homes in the morning to find out who takes medicaid.
I sure hope that you already have durable and medical POA for your mother?
Call who need to call in the morning and get the ball rolling. Take care of yourself. Keep coming back to vent, to ask more questions and to let us know how you are doing.
Prayers, hugs and love!