Mum tumbled this morning. She said she blacked out and stepped on her leg and fell -or something of that order. So, when she went to get dressed, I followed her (I’ve been letting her manage herself as much as possible, but since she fell, figured I’d better watch). She asked if I was going to see if she fell and I said yes. She then stated as she climbed into her sweatshirt, “I didn’t know I was going to fall.”. I rolled my verbal eyes and told her if people knew they were going to fall, they wouldn’t. (Or they’d be actors!!)
Around the Korner 
Oh… this brings back memories. If I may offer a word of advice… if she’s begun falling, watch her. And if she starts complaining her leg hurts, take her to the doctor. When my grandmother fell, she actually broke her hip… but she walked around like nothing was wrong, and it was much later, at an unrelated doctor visit, when we discovered that the fall actually broke something. The doctor explained that we couldn’t have known, but we felt awful.
I apologize, I know you didn’t ask for my nose in your business, but we had no clue that such a thing was even possible… so I wanted to share.
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Good GRIEF! I am glad you told me this. Mom is stubborn and VERY …well, stubborn! I’ll keep an eye on her. (she is on a lot of pain meds and had not take then when she toppled) I welcome advice. As long as you are not my sister…. LOL.
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I’m not sure your mom’s situation, but I don’t want you to panic… to further explain, my grandma had Alzheimer’s, and so the memory loss could have contributed to her oblivious behavior… but she did complain about her leg paining her… but she sat ALL day, and it came and went, so we just assumed it was the result of her constant sitting… normal aches and pains.
I just wanted to explain a little more, so you didn’t worry overly much. I only wanted to give you a head’s up that such a thing was possible with the elderly.
🙂
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Mom has had cancers for 30 years, she has always come out on top. Yet, this last one, she had chemo. Chemo is worse than cancer. She is slowly waning in her well being. Mum is almost 75-we do have a nurse who comes by once a week, so we’ll let her know when she visits again.
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We (my mother and I) cared for TWO elderly parents (my maternal & paternal grandmothers), one right after the other, and the most important thing I can pass to you, as a family caregiver, is this:
Don’t try to be a wonder woman. Family caregiving is an emotionally grueling thing, especially as they age more, and enter the ‘care’ vs ‘companion’ stage… create a support system (paid or volunteer) which allows you time for YOU. Go for a walk, go out to lunch or dinner… you need to get away for a time to maintain your emotional well-being. Make this a non-negotiable part of your life during this time. I cannot express how important this is…
Family caregiving is like boiling a frog; you start with cool water, and slowly turn up the heat… by the time it realizes it’s in trouble, it’s too late. When you don’t take time away for yourself (even if it’s a walk through the woods/park, and sitting for 30m to read a book, secure in the knowledge that no one will need or want your attention for just a short while) it reduces your stress, your frustration, and your burden.
I watched my mother age ten years in two, and she had myself (living there) as well as occasional help from others… but she waited until she HAD to take a break (or until well after she SHOULD have taken one) before doing so…
Please make caring for YOURSELF as important as caring for your mom… if you’re empty, what do you really have left to give? Not nearly as much, I can tell you from experience.
Sorry for the book/lecture, but my heart aches for family caregivers, most especially… I know how easy it is, because we love, or because we feel it is our duty or responsibility, to give until there’s nothing left.
❤ my thoughts are with you
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Yep, few people outside of actors or stuntmen plan on falling!
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