Anything with hospital/medicare followup? She's 89 and zoomed through the surgery yesterday, but hospital pain meds making it hard to get her focused & back into real world - already an on and off problem before surgery. Can I grab some help somewhere in hospital opportunity. She's already suspicious we think she's crazy - not so, but teetering on edge. Anyone have any ideas? Doctors don't seem to care about the mental part of it.
Is your mom on any antidepressants or antianxiety meds? If so, make sure the are still being given. I had a problem with those meds being stopped while my mom was hospitalized, twice.
Yes, ask about rehab and also get a geriatric psychiatric (or just a regular psychiatric ) consult while she's still in the hospital. Failing that, while she's in rehab. Psychiatrists seem to be the only folks who "get" the whole person.
The other person who might be valuable is the psychiatrist. You can tell Mom this is routine. One came to see me when I was in the hospital for diabetes! If you can, arrange to speak to him or her briefly before he interviews your mother. Explain your concerns.
The surgeon is responsible for the physical outcome of the surgery, but may not be too knowledgeable about the cognitive after-effects.
It will really be easier to talk to professionals about your concerns while she is still in the hospital. I hope you are able to be in touch with all of them
Will Mom be going to a rehab center (or transitional care unit) to regain her strength? Perhaps the social worker can give you advice about which places are particularly attuned to the elderly.
Good luck ... and please keep us posted!
I've had really positive results from asking hospital administrators to intervene.
But I wouldn't give up on the doctors yet; you might need to be a little bit more forthright in addressing this issue with them.
I don't know who you'd talk to except the Dr. Have you tried talking to her surgeon and the Dr. who's caring for her in the hospital?