My 94 yr.old mother fell and broke her hip, surgery is today. How to find the best rehab place in her area?

Hi Bonnie - My Mom fell and broke her hip last September. The hospital and doctor will have suggestions as to the best places to rehab - listen to them. I took the list they gave me and went to each place, and found that their recommendations seemed to be spot on. Medicare will pay for up to 21 days of rehab at 100%. After that, they may pay 80% depending on need, but my mother was able to be discharged right at 3 weeks. However, we were living at home with Mom in a one level house. Mom was walking very well by the time she got home. She only needed help with showering, dressing, and getting into and out of bed.

Stairs are not allowed, so yes, an elevator or a downstairs bed will be needed. An over the toilet commode and good straight backed chairs are necessary also. Make sure grab rails are in the shower and bathroom - she will need them. Remove all loose rugs and anything else she could trip over. Mom's occupational therapist took a trip home with Mom before she was discharged to check out the house and inspect for any dangers to her or concerns we might have. It was really helpful. Your rehab facility should offer both physical therapy and occupational therapy. The physical therapy is to get your mother stronger. The occupational therapy is to teach your mother how to do those things that she will need to do in everyday life SAFELY, without hurting her new hip until it heals. Things like putting on socks and shoes (she's not allowed to bend over), getting out of bed, showering, if she's going to continue living alone (and they will evaluate her ability to do this), safely cooking for herself (they have kitchen set ups) when they can't reach, bend or twist. They may advise that she go to an assisted living facility for awhile after rehab, or have someone come in and stay for awhile to help out with cooking and cleaning.
Hope this helpful.

Hi Bonnie, I hope your Mom's surgery goes well. My Mom had hip surgery when she was 96. Things I learned. Ask your sibs (near Mom) to check out the rehab places. They REALLY do vary! The one I picked fro my Mom had 75 minutes /day for physical therapy and 75/day for occupational. In addition, there were 'activities' during the rest of the day that kept her busy. A year later when my husband's aunt needed rehab, his family chose a place 'near to one niece'. They offered 30 minutes of therapy a day! Frequent visits are important for your sibs to follow up with the therapists. And to see how your Mom is doing. I know this sounds trite, but while my Mom had a pitcher of water in her room each day, she couldn't reach it. Surprise Surprise when she wound up totally dehydrated! And, the rapid set of changes can cause your mom to get mixed up as to where she is, etc. Someone will have to keep her on an even keel. Keep us posted.

She will need to sit down while showering. We have a walk in shower, so not sure how they handle people that only have step in tubs. I'm sure they probably have a method of having you sit on the edge of the tub and then get in, but not sure about that. If you wanted to press the issue of the walk in tub/shower, now might be the time, though, if you could get it done in time. Sorry about the previous duplicate message.

Eve

Hi Bonnie - She should have a walk in tub ideally, My mother had a hip repair last year at 99 and got through it fine, went to a rehab hospital and discharged herself early. She is a physiotherapist and she didn't agree with their treatment!!! But that is mother. She lives in an ALF and returned there, and manages fine with home care 4 x a day and uses a cane sometimes. She has a tub and knows how to get into it, but uses the walk in shower, and a stool. It has taken her longer to recover from this hip op than the last one 15 years ago. She is basically healthy though has some stomach issues. Good luck. I am sure she will do fine.

Hi Bonnie - My Mom fell and broke her hip last September. The hospital and doctor will have suggestions as to the best places to rehab - listen to them. I took the list they gave me and went to each place, and found that their recommendations seemed to be spot on. Medicare will pay for up to 21 days of rehab at 100%. After that, they may pay 80% depending on need, but my mother was able to be discharged right at 3 weeks. However, we were living at home with Mom in a one level house. Mom was walking very well by the time she got home. She only needed help with showering, dressing, and getting into and out of bed.

Stairs are not allowed, so yes, an elevator or a downstairs bed will be needed. An over the toilet commode and good straight backed chairs are necessary also. Make sure grab rails are in the shower and bathroom - she will need them. Remove all loose rugs and anything else she could trip over. Mom's occupational therapist took a trip home with Mom before she was discharged to check out the house and inspect for any dangers to her or concerns we might have. It was really helpful. Your rehab facility should offer both physical therapy and occupational therapy. The physical therapy is to get your mother stronger. The occupational therapy is to teach your mother how to do those things that she will need to do in everyday life SAFELY, without hurting her new hip until it heals. Things like putting on socks and shoes (she's not allowed to bend over), getting out of bed, showering, if she's going to continue living alone (and they will evaluate her ability to do this), safely cooking for herself (they have kitchen set ups) when they can't reach, bend or twist. They may advise that she go to an assisted living facility for awhile after rehab, or have someone come in and stay for awhile to help out with cooking and cleaning.
Hope this was helpful.

WOW! 94 and still at home. That is great. Good luck to your Mom and to you finding the best facilty to recover.

Hi friends,

Just a brief catch up on Mom. She had the hip surgery about 12midnight and back to her room around 4:40 AM.
She had a sip of the hospital coffee and declared it "bitter" then had a sip of PA's Starbucks coffee with cream...and said "better". Mom really likes instant coffee with the flavored non-dairy creamers. (go figure).
The good news is she did get up and sit this morning! She is such a sweet person yet hates PT or any exercise. However, my guess is she will do it with the carrott being able to get back to her house!
Someplace I said the brothers are meeting on Monday with contractors for the elevator/chair lift...also built in "disabled" shower and replacement of all 4 toilets with appropriate higher stools. I just hope my brothers are sensitive to Mom's taste and they do not choose something too comercial or ugly. She loves her house and feels so good being in it. The goal is to get it all done before she checks out of the rehab. "They" say she will be in rehab about 20 days. Our aim is to get her back into her normal/comfortable/happy routine as soon as possible. Older brother (I've two older brothers) says he is totally on top of it and not to worry. I gave him this website and log in information last night. He said he learned a great deal and appreciates all of the hints and suggestions from all of you. Mom has made a point of saying she gets worn out easily and for all of us and friends NOT to come see her. She says she has more than enough people watching every move! I understand Mom and will go to visit when she says to come. For those who would like to look at her book of poetry you can find it on Amazon. The title is : Poems of Love and Hate. Are we allowed to give real names? Here is her poem she wrote for this book.

For my Loved Ones
My neighbor leaned across the garden gate
and watched me working.
I was on my knees amoung the peonies.

"There's so much left to do, " I said.
"The garden's nowhere nearly ready yet
for the killing frost."


"These golden days," she murmured, "why not
just enjoy them? Your garden's never looked
so beautiful. There's lots of time--"

"But not for me," I said, and looked at her. She
gazed into my eyes, where all my secrets are;
she saw, and caught her breath.

I said, "I do not dread the winter;
just want it not to come
before I'm ready."
==
So in my waning years of life
I've gathered up my little songs
to have them ready,
and I've brought them here, for you.
_____________________________________________________________
That is probably as best a description of Mom as I can offer up. She is a beautiful women inside and out. In one review of a book the commentator said she was the image of a wonderful "fairy godmother". She did not appreciate the implication that she was old...but there you go. I think Mom is very brave, terribly shy, and a truly loving person.
Well anyway friends (and Mom is from a long line of Quakers/Friends) I so appreciate your compassion and spot on suggestions for her well being. Maybe you never knew your experiences would help others who need them!
Thanks and loads of appreciation. She's not out of the danger zone but we all have hopes of a "full recovery" (we think 90% will be fabulous). Bonnie

What a beautiful poem!

It is!

It is absolutely imperative that she do all of her physical therapy. Even after she gets home - the more she exercises, the better off she will be. My Mom has no issues with her hip at all 5 months post op, but she is one of the most compliant patients you will ever meet. If she is told to do exercises 5x/day, she will, religiously!