What a day. . . !

ghphotog

Got a call from MC last night at 1:30 am saying they found my mom lying on the floor because she fell and they would let me know if they needed to call an ambulance.

I sat up for an hour but never heard back and tried to contact the administrator who called me from the MC so I assumed she was ok until I got a text this morning saying she was at UNMH Trauma Center. I just dropped of my DW at daycare and spent two hours in that crazy place until I realized they would be releasing her anytime soon. I never was able to see her as the trauma center has no visitors. They said they would release her today sometime but didn't know when.

Trying to schedule someone to pick my DW up at daycare. That hospital is one place I never want to have to take my DW to, for any reason. Finally one of her sisters said she would be available to pick her up but she doesn't know how to handle my DW for very long. Her daughter is not available, my backup friend is out of town so I hope we can get this squared away before daycare is out. If they call and I have my DW, someone will have to stay with her when I go pick up my mom but that could be a real mess in itself.

Crazy day. . .

Dio

Hope nothing serious...and all goes well.

Denise1847

Wow! One is bad enough, but having two has to be over-the-top stressful. I hope all settles down for you and your family.

dayn2nite2

I think we all need to move to the same area and create a village so we can help each other out when life inevitably throws a curveball at us...

I'm hoping your mom was released before your DW was done at daycare.

gampiano

day2nite2,

I think you're onto something there. I bel;ieve that there are communities like this in other parts of the world. It is a great idea and makes perfect sense. We are the ones who will help each other.

Maureen

Dio

Our country is so behind on caring for the elderly, especially those suffering from dementia. I don't know if the concept of a "dementia village" or "dementia community" subsidized by the government will work here in the U.S. We are so behind on even talking about it. But we should start planning for it as the number of dementia cases soars across the country. Even with recent statistics showing 40% of caregivers die before the patient out of sheer exhaustion, there is still no help for caregivers either. Everything is always done in hindsight!

Anna2022

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/190949#Comment_190949

@Dio, do you have a citation for the 40% figure you quote above? I would like to read the report! Many thanks.

Dio

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/190950#Comment_190950

https://www.marshallcountydaily.com/2018/01/11/alzheimers-dementia-takes-toll-on-caregivers-too/

https://www.independence4seniors.com/resources/caregiver-support-and-tips/the-hidden-patient-the-alzheimers-caregiver/

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2002/05/stanford-study-focuses-on-effects-of-family-caregiving-for-patients-with-alzheimers-disease-dementia.html

https://states.aarp.org/colorado/honoring-16-million-alzheimers-caregivers

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dying-at-home-family-caregivers_n_592738e6e4b0df34c35ab57f

Anna2022

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/190957#Comment_190957

Lots to read! Many thanks!!

ghphotog

Update, mom must've fell on her face. When I picked her up at the ER last night her face was all black and blue and her eye's were swollen shut. There was blood all over her clothes. Now I know why to they took her to the trauma center.

I had to put her bloody clothes back on so she wouldn't freeze when I took her to the car. They would've let her go out stark naked with only a hospital gown on. She was still so weak in the legs she couldn't stand up at all.

Anyway I got her back to MC and they took over from there and said they would keep a close eye on her. I know she's going to fall again soon but I don't think she can take too many more hard falls like that.

Also my DW fell out of the bed last night and hit her face on the night stand. It hurt be she was ok. I might have to start looking for a bed with rails.

Yes what a day and night! Thank you all for being here although I know none of us want to be.

MN Chickadee

Can they lower the bed closer to the ground? Our MC did that for folks who fall out alot so it was just a few inches off the ground and put soft mats on the sides so there isn't very far to fall. If the bed is not adjustable/electronic, perhaps put the mattress on the floor with one side against a wall and a soft mat on the other. I believe there is some changes to how they permit bedrails. My mom's MC was doing away with them, and when my dad was in rehab for a hip replacement (no dementia) they made a production over signing waivers of understanding there were bed rails. Not sure if it's the Feds or my state changing the guidelines.

The period where they fall all the time is so hard. You're just waiting for that phone to ring day and night with another crisis. Sorry you have it coming at you from all angles.

ghphotog

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/190998#Comment_190998

I could lower the bed that low but she would have a lot of trouble getting in and out from that low but lowering is a good idea. I've also found rails you can add to any bed that can help her get in and out as well as protect her from rolling off the bed as well. Less than 50.00.