Mom is recovering from her fall, but it seems to have had a bigger effect on her psychologically than physically. Over the past few days she has been really pondering her life and her membership in the "help I've fallen and I can't get up" club. Mom's cousins La Verne and Aggie both fell last year and were lying alone in their homes for long periods of time before they were discovered and helped. Both cousins now live in the same nursing home.
In contrast, we were with Mom moments after her fall. After making sure she didn't have any obvious fractures we sat her up. Anna played found the novelty of having Grandma on the floor great fun and played. Rubber ducks were lined up to sing. My sons brought her water, pillow and a teddy bear for comfort. It was an odd but sweet little party in the bathroom while we waited for someone to come and help to get Mom off the floor. There were some tears but much more laughter. When my sister-in-law arrived, Mom still sitting on the floor said "Did you bring a cake? Can't you see we are having a party?"
Now Mom is really reluctant to leave the house. She feels less sure of herself than ever. We have plans to go to a friends house for dinner and I know it will be a battle to get her to come along. I also know that sitting around will not help her recover her physical well being or her confidence.
I am really frustrated with care providers at this point. I have a sense of urgency - but no one else seems to share it. We have been waiting on a referral for physical therapy that the doctor wrote for Mom weeks ago. Allegedly they were to be delivered by mail. I have made 2 calls to the local "Caregiver Resource Center" for referrals to someone who would help suggest some modifications to our home to make it more Grandma friendly- I have yet to speak to a live person. My calls to find a specific model of toilet safety bars have also been fruitless. Tomorrow I will have to make more calls.
2 comments:
I am SO pleased that your mom didn't break anything when she fell! How nice that she isn't alone when these things happen and everybody can make light of it. She must still be getting good nutrition at your house. I'm sure the dips in the pool are helping to keep her strong too.
My mother-in-law broke an ankle slipping on ice a few years ago. For that reason she never took a bus again, though busses were unconnected with her fall. She was so afraid that the bus driver would take off before she sat down and she'd fall. It's odd the fears that creep into our minds once there has been a bad fall.
I'm sure that your mom's confidence will return when she feels less bruised.
Thanks Peggy!
Your comment made me chuckle- I wish I could say that it was good nutrition that saved Mom's bones, but I think that her padding from donuts and milkshakes deserves most of the credit. I do try to feed her nutritious foods; she just really prefers sweets.
About the busses, it is interesting what fears crop up. She seems as though she is getting a bit more confident. I have to work at not hovering around her too much and undermine things.
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