Discharge from Hospital

[Love and Hope]

This is my first post so please forgive me if it is in the wrong place.

My MIL has mixed Dementia and almost 5 weeks ago she fell and broke her hip. The hip was fixed in an operation and she is currently in hospital. Prior to her fall she was walking well and still at home eating and drinking fine and being supported by family and carers.

The hospital say she is not eating or drinking enough and up to 2 days ago she was having IV fluids. She is also catheratised as they say her bladder is not working properly. She has had numerous falls while in the hospital as she gets outs of bed and forgets she cant walk. She has not walked the entire time in hospital and has had very little physio therapy to help her get mobile again.

We visited hospital today and they have told us that she is medically fit and ready for discharge tomorrow. As far as I can see she is not fit to go home. I really dont know what to do next.

I wonder if anyone has had a similar experience and if they had any advice for me.

Many thanks

 

[Bessieb]

Hi there,
I recently had a similar situation with my Dad. The hospital will not be able to discharge your Mum without it being a 'safe discharge' ie. that she is going home (or elsewhere) to a situation where she is supported adequately. The ward should already have referred her to the hospital Social Worker who will assess what her needs are at home and ensure there is a package of care in place before she is discharged. You might want to check that the hospital Social Worker is involved and establish contact with him or her.
Warning - it can sometimes take a little while for the Social Worker assessment to take place after your Mum is considered medically fit for discharge - depending on resources. If you establish contact with the SW you might be able to hurry this along.

 

[Lindy50]

Hi Love and Hope and welcome to TP

I'm sorry to hear that your Mil is so ill. I agree with Bessieb, her discharge has to be safe, and the key person in organising this is the hospital social worker. When the hospital staff say your Mil is 'ready for discharge', all they mean is that they have carried out their specialist services eg surgery. It doesn't mean that your Mil might not benefit from further rehabilitation, either in another hospital, or in a nursing home, for example. Or she may need ongoing care home placement, or more care at home....there are various possibilities.

Find out who the social worker is, discuss the options and be prepared to stand up for Mil to get the best for her in the next stage of her care

Wishing you all the best. Keep in touch

Lindy xx

 

[lin1]

Hi welcome to TP.
Their is a procedure the hospital should follow as has already been said , it must be a safe discharge. Just sending MIL home is not an option , though some hospitals do try to do this.
Here is a link to one of our Factsheets about hospital discharge procedure
Back in a mo with link.

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=173

Just incase It might be a good idea to ensure MIL doesn't have her house keys at the hospital, when I was in hospital a few months ago , on the morning I was let out they checked I had my House keys with me.
Many people with Dementia do not cope well in hospital many recover better once out of hospital
Having said that a spell in rehab might be beneficial or even in respite for a while.

Please let us know how you get on and feel free to ask questions, we have some very knowledgeable people on here