Good thing I dropped in on my MIL.

[DawnCt1]

She was having a CT scan this evening. I don't know when she is coming home, but I suspect she won't be in the hospital that long. I dropped the key off at her DDs and I have told the DD and my BIL that she needs discharge planning that includes social services, meals on wheels, VNA and a connection, ultimately, at the "senior center" for socialization. She lives in a one floor condo that is perfect logistically speaking, one level living but not a lot of people her age. One of her neighbors called tonight to see how she is. But she doesn't have a lot of people her age in the complex. She was recently entertaining the thought of "assisted living" but she doesn't really need that level of care yet.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

This really shows me to "trust my instincts." Thankfully, you did! This story has a happy ending, thanks to your intuition.

I've heard that urinary tract infections are very serious in the elderly and can cause confusion.

Thanks for sharing your story.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Wow, good for you for listening to your instincts! Hope she's on the mend soon.

 

[Robinrs]

What a blessing!!! Good for you, Dawn!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

She was recently entertaining the thought of "assisted living" but she doesn't really need that level of care yet.

It sounds like it might not be a bad idea to at least begin to think about it. They're all slightly different, but one that might be right for her would be a place where she can live and be completely independent, but there'll be activities she can enjoy, and someone will be watching out for her, meals provided, home services, etc.

 

[cm8]

Thank god you listened to your inner voice, so often we ignore it! Hope your MIL heals quickly.

 

[kimmar067]

....wow. Talk about fate...

 

[pixiefairy]

((HUGS)) - gotta love those "feelings". Hope she's doing well!

 

[The Mayor]

I rarely drop in on anyone without calling first, but my SIL told me that she had taken my MIL to the doctor that morning and she was on an antibiotic for a UTI. DH was out of town, I happened to be in my MIL's town yesterday afternoon, I had an "uneasy feeling" and a sudden impulse to check in on her.
I knocked at the door and there was no answer, so I let myself in. She was sitting in a chair, vomiting, verbally non responsive, pale and tremulous. I called 911. She had a low grade fever, and was not oriented to time nor place. She didn't know what day it was, what year it was, etc. She couldn't tell me where he keys were. I found her wallet, called DH's brother, and sent her wallet with the EMTs to the hospital while I secured her house. My BIL and SIL met her at the ER. The EMT was concerned that she was "allergic" to her medication. She looked like she had sepsis to me which is what it turned out to be. By the time DH left the hospital last night, they had initiated treatment and she was lucid. She remembers nothing. Not me coming in, waiting for the ambulance, etc. The only thing she remembers is being in the ambulance and seeing me outside the door of it. I am glad I dropped in.

Good timing and glad your MIL is ok...now would you happen to have Sunday's Mega Millions numbers

 

[golfgal]

She was having a CT scan this evening. I don't know when she is coming home, but I suspect she won't be in the hospital that long. I dropped the key off at her DDs and I have told the DD and my BIL that she needs discharge planning that includes social services, meals on wheels, VNA and a connection, ultimately, at the "senior center" for socialization. She lives in a one floor condo that is perfect logistically speaking, one level living but not a lot of people her age. One of her neighbors called tonight to see how she is. But she doesn't have a lot of people her age in the complex. She was recently entertaining the thought of "assisted living" but she doesn't really need that level of care yet.

Do you have senior living places near you with step down areas as well? Around here it is pretty common to have a senior apartment complex attached to an assisted living complex so as seniors need more care they can receive what they need without having to move. That might be a good option as well. If she wants to stay put you could hire a in home health care company to come in for a hour a day to check on things too.

 

[DawnCt1]

Do you have senior living places near you with step down areas as well? Around here it is pretty common to have a senior apartment complex attached to an assisted living complex so as seniors need more care they can receive what they need without having to move. That might be a good option as well. If she wants to stay put you could hire a in home health care company to come in for a hour a day to check on things too.

There are, but they are expensive in our area. She was considering a facility 20 miles away which would lead to more isolation. The loss of her "mental capacity" was due to the sepsis, so if that didn't happen, she would have been able to call for help, etc. In fact, she has one of those "medical alert" things, but she was too incapacitated to even press the button. Her condo is perfect one floor living and not a lot for anyone to take care of. She needs discharge planning that includes social services, a home health aid even for a couple of hours a day, meals on wheels, etc and she could easily stay where she is and continue to be within a few miles of family.

 

[golfgal]

There are, but they are expensive in our area. She was considering a facility 20 miles away which would lead to more isolation. The loss of her "mental capacity" was due to the sepsis, so if that didn't happen, she would have been able to call for help, etc. In fact, she has one of those "medical alert" things, but she was too incapacitated to even press the button. Her condo is perfect one floor living and not a lot for anyone to take care of. She needs discharge planning that includes social services, a home health aid even for a couple of hours a day, meals on wheels, etc and she could easily stay where she is and continue to be within a few miles of family.

I am assuming she is on Medicare, she will only have a limited time with a Home Health Care aide that is covered by insurance. It is probably a good time to start looking for one to hire and since she just needs someone to check in on her it won't be all that expensive. Keep in mind that mom doesn't "NEED" help but mom, would you "LIKE" some help--HUGE difference in their mindset.

 

[DawnCt1]

I am assuming she is on Medicare, she will only have a limited time with a Home Health Care aide that is covered by insurance. It is probably a good time to start looking for one to hire and since she just needs someone to check in on her it won't be all that expensive. Keep in mind that mom doesn't "NEED" help but mom, would you "LIKE" some help--HUGE difference in their mindset.

Good ideas. I just got off of the phone with her and gave her that suggestion, along with getting involved at the senior center, which is always packed in her town and meals on wheels, etc. She liked that idea. She may be going home tomorrow or the next day.
She sounds like her old self. She doesn't remember a thing. All she remembers is sitting down, taking a sauce pan to her chair in case she felt sick again and turning on the TV. She then remembers being in an ambulance but had no idea why. I told her that the "lights were on but nobody was home". She couldn't believe it. She asked me how I got into her house. I told her the door was unlocked. She says she NEVER leaves the door unlocked and often checks it during the day. She was glad that she forgot to lock the door and she was quite glad that I dropped in.

 

[scrapquitler]

I hope she's on the mend soon. Isn't it amazing that we seem to "know" when something is wrong? Good thing you decided to check on her!