Mom broke hip - hates rehab

RunningWorried76

Mom (79, stage MS to LS) who lives with me fell about 3 weeks ago and fractured her hip. Only a slight fracture under the ball joint (non-displaced) so the surgeon was able to put in some screws to keep in place. She's been in a rehab nursing home for about 2 weeks now, doing OT and PT 5-6 days a week. However, she hates the food there and is miserable. Every time I talk to her on the phone or visit her she says she wants to come home. But she cannot get out of bed yet without extreme assistance so I don't think I can really care for her at home, but maybe. We have a 3-level house and there's no way she can do the stairs yet until she improves.

The rehab place is ok but not great. It's also not close by. But it's one of the only ones that would take her insurance and had space available. The staff is very nice, but I get the sense they are understaffed and overworked as mom doesn't seem to be getting the level of personal care she needs. There have been a few times when we've visited and she's been in urine-soaked clothes because her depends have leaked. Maybe it was just bad timing, but still it's really sad to encounter that.

I'm trying to get her transferred to an insurance-covered place that's closer, but having a hard time reaching anybody at that place. Also called the orthopedic doctor that is treating her to see about getting in-home nursing care and therapy. But every call I seem to make is me leaving a voicemail and no one getting back to me, or the person who answers is not helpful. Ugh.

I can't even seem to get a straight answer as to how much rehab she needs. First it's 1-2 weeks, now it's maybe a month. She can't stay in that place for a month. 

I'm even considering now moving her to a place that's really great nearby (I know because I pay for her to go to adult day care there 3 days a week) but doesn't take her insurance and just paying out of pocket, but it's nearly $500 a day for their short term rehab and that's not counting PT. Good grief, these prices are absurd.

SusanB-dil

uugh - what a dilemma!  Personally, I would keep trying the place that does take her insurance. However, kind'a red-flag that nobody is getting back to you on it.  I have no doubt that you have looked around, but maybe there is still another place?  Also consider the extra intensity of what would be involved if you were able to bring her home, though.  Before you do that, must make sure you would have adequate assistance and equipment.

so frustrating!  and a lot of places short-staffed.

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notjolly

This sounds like what I went through with my brother 83. He fell and broke his leg, went to rehab after a stay in the hospital. He only had Medicare part A so we had to take him out of rehab after 20 days. We also have a tri level home and nine steps to the upper floor. It was hard for him for about three weeks but is now able to get up them a bit faster.

It's hard to find a rehab/nursing center that isn't under staffed I guess. He would like it there one day and the food, because he didn't have to cook it. Then the next day calling me every day saying he had to get out of this place, and he hated it. Got him out moved him in with me and he doesn't like that it here either. At this point I just don't care what he likes anymore.

sweepmore

I am so sorry you are going through this.  You would think that these places would have people that work there trained to be a little more considerate of what we are going through.  Good luck to you.