• The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
  • TUG started 30 years ago in October 1993 as a group of regular Timeshare owners just like you!

    Read about our 30th anniversary: Happy 30th Birthday TUG!
  • TUG has a YouTube Channel to produce weekly short informative videos on popular Timeshare topics!

    Free memberships for every 50 subscribers!

    Visit TUG on Youtube!
  • TUG has now saved timeshare owners more than $21,000,000 dollars just by finding us in time to rescind a new Timeshare purchase! A truly incredible milestone!

    Read more here: TUG saves owners more than $21 Million dollars
  • Sign up to get the TUG Newsletter for free!

    60,000+ subscribing owners! A weekly recap of the best Timeshare resort reviews and the most popular topics discussed by owners!
  • Our official "end my sales presentation early" T-shirts are available again! Also come with the option for a free membership extension with purchase to offset the cost!

    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

Broken femur - my 80 year old mom - questions

Zac495

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
3,108
Reaction score
104
Points
448
Location
Philadelphia, PA
My mom broke her femur today playing tennis. Nurse says might be hip too, as the femur goes to the hip - they have to wait and see if they'll operate or what...

How bad is this? I've heard a broken hip can be the beginning of the end. :bawl:

My mom is so active and alive. Anything you can share. Thanks.
 

Rose Pink

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
6,291
Reaction score
1
Points
36
Broken hips in the elderly do not have a good prognosis but this is because they are usually frail to begin with. It's been suggested that it is not the fall that breaks the hip but rather the hip breaks and causes the fall.

This is not the case with your active mother. If her health is good I would think she has a better than average chance. No fun recuperating when you are used to playing tennis, though. I wish her well.
 

Liz Wolf-Spada

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
3,094
Reaction score
2
Points
423
Location
Wrightwood, CA
My aunt was in her late 70's or 80 when she fell and broke her hip. Her hip might have broken and then she fell. She did recover and lived well for at least 4 more years and died of a stroke. (It did end her golf game, though)
Liz
 

Kay H

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,649
Reaction score
0
Points
36
Location
South Jersey
I agree with Rose. Your Mom sounds anything but frail. Hopefully she heals well regardless of the treatment. The biggest threat is a blood clot from inactivity. Sorry this happened to her.
 

bigrick

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,015
Reaction score
0
Points
36
Location
Sac, CA
I think your mom's active lifestyle will help her tremendously now. Plus she'll be determined to recover and get back on her feet.

Every day is one day closer to the end. That's been true our whole lives.

Today is the youngest day of your life. Yesterday is over and gone. Tomorrow you will be older. That's why you need to all you can TODAY while you still young!

I see lots of people with new knees and hips out living more active lives than before. I pray your mom joins them.
 

NWL

TUG Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2008
Messages
1,297
Reaction score
0
Points
36
Location
Montana
I think your mom's active lifestyle will help her tremendously now. Plus she'll be determined to recover and get back on her feet.

So true. Make sure she doesn't get in a funk about being "out of commission". She needs to feel that this is just a temporary set back, and she'll be back to normal in a reasonable amount of time. It's important that she not feel her active lifestyle is a thing of the past.

Cheers!
 

dougp26364

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
14,481
Reaction score
3,157
Points
698
Location
Kansas
Resorts Owned
Marriott Grand Chateau
Marriott Shadow Ridge
Marriott Ocean Pointe
Marriott Destination Club Points
Hilton Grand Vacation Club Las Vegas Blvd
Grand Colorado on Peak 8
Spinnaker French Quarter Resort Branson
Considering that your mom was playing tennis when she broke her hip, chances are she'll do just fine. What gets many people is not being able to participate in rehab, lying in bed and getting pneumonia. If she remains active, participates in rehab and gets out of bed and moving again as soon as the doctors will allow, she should do a well as anyone else.

My grandfather had 5 vessel bypass at age 80. For many this wouldn't be a have a real good outcome but, my grandfather still mowed his own lawn, kept the house in good repair and made toys in his workshop. He passed away last month at the age of 92. He did better than some of my patients who have surgery at much younger ages but, my grandfather didn't use his surgery as an excuse not to do things, he used it as an excuse to keep doing things.
 

timeos2

Tug Review Crew: Rookie
TUG Lifetime Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2005
Messages
11,183
Reaction score
5
Points
36
Location
Rochester, NY
It doesn't have to be the start of the end

My mom broke her femur today playing tennis. Nurse says might be hip too, as the femur goes to the hip - they have to wait and see if they'll operate or what...

How bad is this? I've heard a broken hip can be the beginning of the end. :bawl:

My mom is so active and alive. Anything you can share. Thanks.

A few years ago my (then) 82 YO mom fell at a restaurant and broke her arm and hip. Like you the family was afraid that she might never recover. She was just mad that it happened.

Well I'm happy to say that despite the Dr stating that she would most likely never be able to raise her arm above her shoulder again and getting a pin inserted in her hip today she is as active as ever - even shoveling snow (I know - we've begged her not to & offered to do it but...) at 85 she is as sharp and active as ever and hardly even mentions that fall or the time she spent in hospitals and nursing homes after. Getting her back home & some wonderful rehab brought her back. Hopefully your active mom will be just as resilient. Best wishes for a full recovery to her and blessings to you for taking care of her needs as she recovers.
 

Pat H

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
3,469
Reaction score
67
Points
433
Location
Sun City Hilton Head
Resorts Owned
Brigantine
Does she need surgery? If so, ask if they can use a local instead of general anesthesia. I don't know why but I have seen many elderly people who have brokens their hips and never recovered. Their hips recovered but their minds never do. Don't mean to be a downer but wanted you to be aware.

Best wishes for your mom's speedy recovery.
 

Patri

Tug Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
6,728
Reaction score
4,007
Points
648
I love that your mom can still play tennis at her age. I've never been able to play a decent game at any age. If she had that angry attitude like that other person, she will likely be determined to recover and be just fine. 80 is the new 60 and I wish her well.
 

Liz Wolf-Spada

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
3,094
Reaction score
2
Points
423
Location
Wrightwood, CA
About Pat's comment, my mom had a general anesthetic for a breast cancer lump removal and within 6 months she was showing signs of Alzeimer's. I suspect she was already developing it, it didn't come from the anesthesia, but I think it was a major precipitating factor.
Liz
 

MuranoJo

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
4,946
Reaction score
186
Points
448
Location
Idaho
About Pat's comment, my mom had a general anesthetic for a breast cancer lump removal and within 6 months she was showing signs of Alzeimer's. I suspect she was already developing it, it didn't come from the anesthesia, but I think it was a major precipitating factor.
Liz

Agree--have seen this happen with older relatives who've gone through general anesthetic, too.
 

1950bing

newbie
Joined
Apr 9, 2007
Messages
512
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Your mom's bone may have broken first then she fell. That is what the doctors told me about mom. Please make sure she does ALL the rehab. Mom put hers off and now needs a walker full time. It sounds as if your mom will have no problem since she is active.
 

silverfox82

Tug Review Crew: Rookie
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
541
Reaction score
1
Points
16
Location
sebastian, fl
Just came home from my moms 88th b day get together. She is still active and as a result has suffered some bone injuries, nothing as serious as a femur/hip break. She seems to bounce right back, perhaps slows down a little, but takes a licken and keeps on ticken. Others have said here that her high activity level will help in a full recovery, that has been very true in my moms case.
 

pianodinosaur

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2008
Messages
1,965
Reaction score
239
Points
273
Location
Texas
Resorts Owned
HGVC SeaWorld x 2, HGVC Las Vegas Strip x 2, MVC Mountain Valley Lodge, MVC Legend’s Edge
Zac495:

I am sorry to hear about your mother. I pray she does well. The fact that she is playing tennis at age 80 suggests that she is a strong woman. I suggest that you encourage her to remain active.

My mother died at the age of 77 from a cerebrovascular accident. She had bad arthritis at that time as well. Following the death of my mother, my wife decided that she wanted to do as much with her mother as she could while her mother is physically able to do so. Last year we took her mother on a European Cruise and to a time share in Lake Tahoe. The year before that we took her mother to a time share in Playa del Carmen. The year before that we took her to a an Embassy Suites HHonors redemption in San Diego. The year before that we took her to a timeshare in Colorado. We will be taking her on a Caribbean cruise for her 75th birthday in April 2010. My wife is pretty smart. You may wish to consider her course of action.

Our prayers go out for your mother.
 
Last edited:

NJDave

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,215
Reaction score
65
Points
408
Location
NJ
Ellen, sorry to hear about your mother. I hope she has speedy recovery.
 

JudyH

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,869
Reaction score
707
Points
473
Location
Near the sea.
My step mo. broke her femur below the hip socket, as well as a complex fracture of the wrist at the same time. She was 91. Lots of intense PT and nursing care needed. Both have healed well. She's 94 now. Good Luck.
 

BevL

TUG Lifetime Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2004
Messages
5,170
Reaction score
7
Points
573
Location
BC Canada
A doctor told us that for every day a patient stays in bed, it takes them two to recover. So if she can get up and moving as soon as the PT people say she should, it will make a huge difference. Sounds like she's a go-getter.

We have a friend who just never did her rehabbing after some knee surgery because it hurt her, and she never has really recovered. I really do think that's the trick.

Might be optimistic to hope she's on the tennis court again, but hopefully a walk around the neighbourhood is in the not-too-distant future.
 

m61376

Tug Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2006
Messages
7,200
Reaction score
269
Points
518
Location
NY
Resorts Owned
Marriott Aruba Surf Club 2 & 3BRs
lots of 80 year olds recover fine....

Ellen-

Hopefully by now your Mom has had the fracture tended to; keep us posted on her recovery.

The first thing is while in the hospital keep an eye on everything- make sure they are giving her the correct medications, getting her out of bed as soon as possible, getting her a bedpan promptly, etc.. Hospital care sometimes leaves a lot to be desired, so a family presence is a huge benefit. Make sure you keep her mentally active- this can be an overwhelming experience and sometimes even very competent elderly start to get a little fuzzy when something like this happens.

Also- if it is a non-surgical case she likely will be immobile for a longer period while the femur heals. Make sure they give her therapy so that her other muscles don't get weaker. Lying around in bed is a big risk factor for the elderly and they can weaken a lot in only a few weeks time. PT can help her retain her strength in her other leg and upper body.

Make sure she participates in her rehab. to the max and if she goes home she should get home care and home physical therapy. The therapist will leave an exercise program and the more compliant she is, the faster her recovery will be.

Don't let her get discouraged. If they had to do surgery, as scary as it is, the recovery will usually be easier. I have had dozens of hip fractures and hip replacements that return to a very active lifestyle. Even if she can't play tennis at least in the short term, there are plenty of other things to do and don't let her get frustrated. Tell her that she will likely be miserable for 4-6 weeks, and then sometime in the 4-6 week mark she will wake up one day and feel so much better than the day before. I know it sounds corny, but it really is what generally happens.

Just keep emphasizing that the walker and the limitations are temporary, and her recovery depends in part upon her motivation and compliance with doing her exercises. Keeping her outlook positive is a big help.

Good luck!
 

Pat H

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
3,469
Reaction score
67
Points
433
Location
Sun City Hilton Head
Resorts Owned
Brigantine
In my earlier post I made reference to the effect of anesthesia on older adults. My dad was never the same after having bypass surgery at age 80. His mental capacity seemed to diminish rapidly afterwards. OTOH, my mom was 86 when she was attacked by a raccoon and had to have extensive surgery to her leg. Physically is took her a while to recover but it doesn't seem to have affected her mind and it's been almost 2 years.
 

Jestjoan

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
2,776
Reaction score
1
Points
38
My Mom (93) broke her femur in Oct. and is walking without a walker or cane. She is about to go into assisted living but not happy about it. When she was in the nursing home, she couldn't wait to go. Since she's back in her apartment (brother saw she wasn't eating at the nursing home), she does not want to leave it.
 

Kay H

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,649
Reaction score
0
Points
36
Location
South Jersey
Pat,
Many Drs say that the hear lung (bypass) machine can cause temporary memory loss. I know several people who disagree that it is temporary. My sister swears that my bil started with symptoms of Alzheimers right after his bypass. I know several other spouses who claim the same thing. The patients themselves refer to it as fuzzy brain.




In my earlier post I made reference to the effect of anesthesia on older adults. My dad was never the same after having bypass surgery at age 80. His mental capacity seemed to diminish rapidly afterwards. OTOH, my mom was 86 when she was attacked by a raccoon and had to have extensive surgery to her leg. Physically is took her a while to recover but it doesn't seem to have affected her mind and it's been almost 2 years.
 

Zac495

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
3,108
Reaction score
104
Points
448
Location
Philadelphia, PA
update

Sorry it took so long. I have been so busy with her. She had a spinal in order to survive the surgery - they didn't think she'd make it with general. She is now in rehab and doing very well. She is walking with walker. She will be coming home in 3 days! We ordered a chairlift for the staircase, but I don't think she'll need it for me than a month or two.

I agree about general and the memory - Dad had it 5 or 6 years ago - he's never been quite the same (though he's still pretty much there mentally at 85).

Thank you all for the comments and support - again sorry i didn't update sooner. I've been driving there every day - visiting her, then visiting Dad who is home alone and sad and lonely. We actually had him stay with us for a few days during the snowstorm.
 

ricoba

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
6,272
Reaction score
2
Points
323
Location
Metro Los Angeles
Thank you for the update Ellen.

Here's hoping for a full and speedy recovery for your mom.

And btw, you must be a good daughter to provide daily care and help for her. :)
 
Top