My 94 year old MIL recently fractured her hip, had surgery, went to rehab, and is now living with us. Believe it or not, until this happened she lived in her own apartment not too far from us. She is clearly unable to care for herself without some assistance. So far we are able to manage this and it's going well, and we think she's happy with us.
My concern is that my husband has mentioned a few times where she has been a bit confused. I want to say it's when she first wakes up. For example, he told me today that when she woke up, she kept asking him why her face was so red (and it wasn't) and that last night someone gave her a shot. Another time he said she pointed to the ceiling fan concerned that it was a tree that could fall. The only other thing I've noticed is that she talks in her sleep - not mumbling, but what sounds like full on conversations! The first time I heard it, I thought she was on the phone.
For the most part, she is coherent and spends most of her day talking on the phone. (She has many relatives all over the nation and they all call her at various times.) The only medication she is taking is Codeine for her hip pain. She also has severe arthritis in her knees. So it is quite painful for her to walk, but with a walker, she does it! It's quite amazing actually considering all that she's been through at her age.
My husband didn't seem as concerned about this confusion, but I wanted to see what others thought. Thank you.
It's very scary. I'm only 62 years old, but the last 2 foot surgeries I've had, I requested just to be heavily sedated and for them not to use the traditional anesthesia, which thankfully they were able to.
Hopefully it's nothing serious. Bless you for stepping up to take care of her during this time.
Sounds like your Mom is doing very well. When she no longer needs her medications, sounds like she'll be fine.
When I had my knee replaced (I was 69) and I returned home, I was positive that there was a white bird stuck in our tree. There was not!!, but my mind said so. We still laugh about it.
So I think it was just a very realistic dream because it hasn't happened since then.
Her doctor says she has a normal 94 year old brain.
It is easy to have her tested for a UTI and you can get results back quickly.
A change in mental status is a medical emergency. In a person of ANY age.
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