Need Advice. My 75 Year Old Mom Fell Down the Stairs

[romantico]

My 75 year old Mom fell down the stairs this past Friday. My Mom still works part time and she was coming down and just missed the last few steps and took a tumble. First time I can recall her ever falling. She seemed okay when she got up but I begged her to take the day off.She downplayed it and went to work anyway.

Friday afternoon when she got home, she was in pain.She already has knee and back problems so this only adds to her discomfort.Before we went home I asked if she wanted to go to the walk in clinic.She said no. She thought just resting for the rest of the day and all weekend would help.

Now, she's had a Doctor appointment for months and she just happens to be going to her Doctor this Tuesday morning,so I think she was hoping to wait it out til then. All day yesterday she kept off her feet,elevated her legs, and put an ice pack on her ankle where it is bruised.It was felling better on Friday night but this morning she says she is still sore. I think she will be sore for the next few days but she REALLY does not want me to take her to the walk in. I'm not pushing it.

My question is this. She is keeping off her feet and keeping her feet elevated. We are keeping ice on the sore spot. Is there anything else she can do? If it keeps up I'm going to have to get aggressive (something I hate having to do) and take her in.She says it feels fine as long as she does not get up.I've already told her to call out tomorrow.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

1. It sounds like she is in denial. This may be the 1st time or the 1st time that you are aware.

The elderly don't always tell their children about their falls, especially falls with lesser consequences.

At a minimum, if she doesn't already have a cane, she should have one.

[romantico]

6. I

I live with her & I have never seen her fall before. She does have one of those hurricane's she uses around the house.

[AngryOldDem]

2. You are in an incredibly tough position.

My mom was exactly the same way -- we would see issues but convincing her to do something about them was something else entirely. Unless she is of some diminished capacity -- and, like my mom, she is not -- all you can do is keep suggesting and hope that she comes around to your point of view.

It sounds like what she is doing would be the same advice any doctor would give her -- right now. (I've been given the same advice for my injuries.) But if the pain gets worse, or if she has trouble getting around -- something more will need to be done and you may have to press the point more forcefully, even if she complains. Can you go to the doctor with her on Tuesday?

It's extremely frustrating and I really empathize and relate to how you're feeling. All I can tell you is what I said above. Keep planting the idea with her that perhaps she needs to see someone about her pain before it gets to the point where she'll have trouble getting around, let alone working (I assume working is something she likes to do?). Maybe framing it that way will help her come around.

[femmocrat]

3. She will tell you if she needs to go to the clinic.

I know you are worried, but it is her decision. Best vibes to your mom!

[newcriminal]

5. I agree.

If at all possible and she doesn't mind, I would go to the scheduled doctor's appointment with her though.

[Arkansas Granny]

4. You might try an elastic bandage in her ankle.

Have you heard of the RICE method of dealing with sprains?

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/RICE_(medicine)

[romantico]

7. I

I don't think the pain has gotten any worse. I fell on the ice a year ago in my driveway and felt fine after I did it. The next day I was so sore I even though I might go to the walk in. Any kind of fall means you will be sore regardless. I tried to brace myself and was told if I let myself fall completely I would have been better off.The ice really makes it feel good and as Mom puts it, 'I'm keeping her on ice' for the moment. A girlfriend of hers called an hour ago and it seems to take her mind off things.

So, I'm just gonna wait. If it gets worse,she looks too uncomfortable,etc. I may have to start nagging again.I think if it gets really bad she will eventually come to her senses and tell me we need to get to the walk in. She is stubborn but not stupid.Thanks for the concern and advice everyone!

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. If she is a candidate for brittle bones, I would be concerned.

My Mom, at age 50, "slipped" while dancing at a club, and "twisted" her ankle.
She treated it like a sprain for 2 weeks, but it kept hurting.
Broken ankle, turned out, needed a cast.
Depending on any fragility and bone issues, ruling out a broken bone might be important.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

8. I think it is pretty normal for anyone to feel aches and pains for a few days after a fall -

and even more so in the elderly. They just don't recover as quickly as the young folks.

However, if Tylenol or some other OTC medication does not relieve the pain then that is different.

I would possibly consider an x-ray of that ankle to rule out possibility of a broken bones.

and I would accompany her on that Dr. visit on Tuesday and go over any medications or changes in medications that may occur.

I am sure the Dr. will check her BP and other vitals, draw blood, etc. Dizziness? Headaches? Any overall change in her condition lately?
These should be taken into account.

Calcium supplement, for bone density loss.

[pipi_k]

10. Just wondering

if there's any way to get her signed up for one of those "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up" things.

I was going to suggest carrying a cell phone or cordless phone around, but they're too easy to forget. At least the other thing goes on a cord she would wear.

Peace of mind for her and the family, especially if she's having trouble with balance now. I'm 15 years younger and have fallen quite a few times. When Mr Pipi isn't here he tells me to carry my cell phone around with me just in case.

[RebelOne]

15. I have one of those "Help, I've fallen" alert systems.

Now that I am 74, my son worries about me and got one so that I could hit a button and get help.

I also seem to be having a problem with balance. I don't dare climb even a step ladder.

[romantico]

11. I

I live with my Mom and is usually pretty careful.She does have a cane she uses at home and even a walker. She's embarrassed to use it out in public but I do keep a transport chair in the trunk just in case. She has been told she will eventually need knee replacement surgery and she is hoping to put it off until she retires (which she hopes will be within the year)

I always go to the doctor with her and will make sure I give the doctor an account of what I witnessed. I did not see her fall. I was ahead of her downstairs and heard the crash. She looked surprised more than anything and said she just missed the step. She was embarrassed and dismissed it as being clumsey and said she felt fine.

I called my brother and told him and he said something I did not like hearing. He said Mom was at the age where falls could be more common for her now.My Mom looks and acts like a woman ten years younger.I can only recall her falling once in the past 5-10 years and that was a neighbors dog who jumped up on her and made her fall.She uses the cane because she says she has days where she feels her balance is off.

She does not think she broke anything. Thinks she would know if that were to have happen. I think she is just gonna be sore for a few days but am still keeping a close eye on her. Thanks again for the advice everyone!

[pipi_k]

13. Good to know

that she's not alone.

Your brother is right...older people tend to lose their balance more, and the sad fact is that fractures become more serious with the thinning of bones, etc.

The fatality rate for broken hips rises, and most patients of advancing age don't make it past six months. My MIL was around 88 or so when she broke one hip. She survived that one, but when she broke the other one at age 93, she didn't survive past six months.

Her problem was that she would forget her age and go rushing off to answer the phone or a knock at the door without her walker. That's what happened the second time.

[sammytko]

12. My mother is 89 and recently fell - she lives in a nursing home

They x-rayed her right away and found no broken bones.

She was in pain, but refused to take anything stronger than Tylenol. The nurse told us that it could take up to six months for her to heal from the contusion. She's fine now.

If your mom broke something she would be in serious pain.

[BensMom]

14. How is your Mom?

How did the appointment with the doctor go?

When my parents were getting up there in years, I found them to be covering up different health issues. My family thought everything was "fine" because we wanted everything to be "fine". And my parent never believed in burdening anyone with their issues.

I found so much support and information at a senior center. (support for me, not my parents.)

I found it helpful to have someone outside the situation to talk with. Maybe you don't need help now, but it is good to know what is available.

It's wonderful that you are there for your Mom.