Mums Had A Fall - What Help Can I Get

[silliemillie]

My 81 year old Mum has had a fall, she's broken her arm which is in a cast but she also has a hairline fracture in the groan area.

Hospital say there's nothing they can do about that, it will heal on its own in time.

But she in a lot of pain, she can hardly walk on it without me getting her up from the chair and holding her up to get to the loo.

I'm not very strong myself as I have multiple myeloma cancer and am struggling to cope in my own.

I've phoned Social Services who have promised to seld someone once a day to help with washing and dressing but that was Sunday and despite calling them the just keep saying someone will call me back.

I'm at my wits end, I'm crying, she's crying, none of us are getting any sleep, what more can I do.

We have family but they are working during the day so I'm on my own really.

[bednobs]

could she go to a care home while she recovers?
have you asked the GP to see her?

[EDDIE51]

^ Yes her GP should be organising help. The social services will have to take a lot more notice if a doctor orders help for a patient.

[silliemillie]

I would prefer it although I feel guilty about that but she's such an obstinate and strong willed lady that I don't think she would agree to that.

Everyone, including the hospital, think that because I'm there, I can do it.

[campbellking]

Services vary area to area. I would first contact your G.P. and get her pain relief reviewed. We have a One-Call service in our area where you can self-refer or refer a relative to things such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy. In a case like this you would probably look at something like 'Rapid Intervention' or 'Re-ablement' to get support in and get Mum moving again. Your G.P. should be able to refer into this system.

[david small]

I do sympathise with you. The harsh reality of a badly run NHS and council. Unless you have the financial requirements to pay for Home help. Your only option is to make a noise and become a constant persistent person requesting help. Or struggle on.

[EDDIE51]

As said, the request for help has to come from her GP. He/she must be the first port of call.

[woofgang]

was she not prescribed pain relief?

[murraymints]

your GP can add weight to your need for a nursing home for your mother since you have your own health issues.. you MUST emphasise that you are unable to cope at home..

[silliemillie]

The hospital refered her and they acknowledge that she is in the system, but it still leaves me on my own for the last 5 days.

My Cancer means I must get lots of rest but I'm just not getting it, I feel ill myself without all this, I do feel selfish and guilty that I can't do more.

[silliemillie]

She has Oramorph but she says it doesn't touch the pain.

[bednobs]

could someone take a few days holiday to help you both?

[Mamyalynne]

Follow the advice above , as Campbell says she needs a pain relief review - Oramorph alone may not be the right way to go.

Only the Doctor can intervene there and make it very clear to all about your own health issues.

[bednobs]

blasted docotrs never prescribe oramorph correctly she needs something longer acting as a background, with oramorph for breakhru pain. The trouble with oramorph is that although it works quickly, it is also gone very quickly in about 3 hours

[silliemillie]

They just told her to take paracetamol but as you can imagine it doesn't work to well.

Thanks for your replies, looks like I will have to battle with them, if only I had the strength.

[tamborine]

Bless you for caring for your mum. As her movement is limited can you afford some help, out of her pension. A commode may help your mum?

[bednobs]

how often and in what doses is she taking oramorph?

[jourdain2]

I agree with the general trend. You must start to niggle and bother your G.P. until action is taken. For the immediate pain-relief, I think I would be ringing 101 (I think that's the number I rang for the NHS when we had a problem, it may be 111) and sticking with the automated system until someone answered and then lay the situation on the line, very firmly. They were very good and helped to sort out a difficult situation when I had need to contact them last year. If at real wits end after that, dial 999 and ask for a first responder to assess the situation. Good luck, stick with it.

[diddlydo]

Get onto your GP and Social Services and stress that you cannot cope a day longer.

[jourdain2]

Number is 111, sorry.

[EDDIE51]

Are you in contact with MacMillan nurses? They are very helpful in situations such as this. As well as care they are really good at organising home help . They deal not only with cancer patients but help with family problems of cancer victims. They will at the minimum be a source of good information as to the best way to proceed.