My MIL in about to be discharged from an acute hospital to a local rehabilitation hospital. She had a fall and suffered a neck of femur fracture. We were advised today that she will likely need about 14 days in the rehab hospital before being discharged home.
I am staggered. She has hideous delirium and in the 10 days she has been there she has not uttered one word of sense.
However, I was appalled that the nurse speaking to my elderly FIL (88, diabetes/pacemaker/prostate CA/mobilises barely with two sticks/gout etc etc) didn't see a problem in her coming home, provided she was able to use her arms to push herself up from a chair. She told him that they would need some support at home (both refused care/care assessment six weeks ago) and he agreed. Funny he didn't mention the way he shouted at me and OH when we tried to raise such things a few weeks before her fall! But how on earth could they justify a discharge home if the delirium doesn't resolve? Even if a 4 visit per day care package was put in, what about the other 20/22 hours in day when he is supposed to cope with her???
FIL just wants her home, which is understandable. She wants to go home, but she can't tell you where home is. If the delirium resolves (which I doubt) and she is mobile, how on earth is he going to follow her round to make sure she is safe?
I so want her to go home, but only if the risks are manageable and he can cope. I can see the effect her delirium is having on him. He was almost in tears today, but would agree to anything to have her home.
Has anyone any similar experiences/advice to share with me?
I am staggered. She has hideous delirium and in the 10 days she has been there she has not uttered one word of sense.
However, I was appalled that the nurse speaking to my elderly FIL (88, diabetes/pacemaker/prostate CA/mobilises barely with two sticks/gout etc etc) didn't see a problem in her coming home, provided she was able to use her arms to push herself up from a chair. She told him that they would need some support at home (both refused care/care assessment six weeks ago) and he agreed. Funny he didn't mention the way he shouted at me and OH when we tried to raise such things a few weeks before her fall! But how on earth could they justify a discharge home if the delirium doesn't resolve? Even if a 4 visit per day care package was put in, what about the other 20/22 hours in day when he is supposed to cope with her???
FIL just wants her home, which is understandable. She wants to go home, but she can't tell you where home is. If the delirium resolves (which I doubt) and she is mobile, how on earth is he going to follow her round to make sure she is safe?
I so want her to go home, but only if the risks are manageable and he can cope. I can see the effect her delirium is having on him. He was almost in tears today, but would agree to anything to have her home.
Has anyone any similar experiences/advice to share with me?