My mother had a fall at home during the night and was found the next morning. An ambulance was sent for but she didn't want to go to hospital. Later that evening, her legs wouldn't work and her arms were very weak, she was getting a shower at the time. I didn't know what to do so rang another ambulance.
We had to wait around 3 hours as it was classed as a non-emergency (it was to me!) The crews were reluctant to take her to hospital at first as they thought it was more of a GP matter, but I knew she had gone downhill fast during the previous week. I told them this and also that I thought she may have a water infection as she had been hallucinating and walking into walls. They decided to take her to A&E.
She was placed on the acute assessment ward and then on the 72 hour assessment ward 8 at HRI. A consultant visited her, checked her arms and immediately diagnosed Polymyalia Rheumatica and she was started on steroids.
During the next couple of days she regained some of her strength in her arms and legs. The staff on this ward were fantastic with her - and me. They listened to our worries and took them on board. They referred her to the Intermediate Care Team who put a plan in place and communicated with me fully. They talked to my mother and convinced her that a step-down bed in a nursing home would be the best option for her, while she regained some strength.
After a week at Rose Villa, with the staff's wonderful care, she was able to return to her sheltered flat and she is getting stronger by the day. I feel more settled because I know that she is under the Care Team for 6 weeks and the nurses will come and visit her and we can access help 24/7 from them, also the occupational therapist will visit and assist her with any mobility problems she may encounter at home. After that time, she can be passed on to a social care team if necessary.
The most important thing to my mum is that she is able to live independently and with the help she is receiving, it looks like this is achievable.
"Wonderful care of my elderly mother"
About: City Health Care Partnership CIC / Intermediate care City Health Care Partnership CIC Intermediate care Hull Hull Royal Infirmary / Accident and emergency Hull Royal Infirmary Accident and emergency Hull HU3 2JZ Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust Wakefield WF2 0XQ
Posted by lazyboy (as ),